Nov. 1, 2023

Scan to read the Wave online.

New audiology lab now open

Left to right: Jodi Woods, audiology assistant; Adam Weretyk, audiologist; and Karen Wood, clinical team manager for allied health and home care.

On Thursday, Oct. 26, the Selkirk audiology clinic held an open house for staff who work out of the Selkirk Community Health office at 237 Manitoba Ave. to check out the new home for audiology in Selkirk. Previously located at the old hospital, the new space is a welcome upgrade to the audiology team.

“This is the newest audiology booth in the province,” says audiologist Adam Weretyk.

Adam specializes in vestibular assessments and relocated to the region from Toronto three years ago. Adam and audiology assistant Jodi Woods see more than 1,000 patients per year. Patients range in age from newborns to older adults who come in for hearing screening, audiological assessments and vestibular concerns. Jodi also travels across the region to conduct newborn and preschool hearing screening.

“I appreciate everything Jodi contributes to the audiology program. I would not be able to keep up without her,” Adam says.

The audiology team would like to thank the maintenance team Mark, Andrew and Robert for their help getting everything ready for the opening.

The new space opened to patients on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.

New cabinet ministers with portfolios related to health care

Uzoma Asagwara

Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care
Deputy Premier

Bernadette Smith

Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness
Minister responsible for Mental Health

Manitoba now has two new ministers with portfolios that relate to the work of health-care service delivery.

Hon. Uzoma Asagwara — Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care

Deputy Premier

Read the mandate letter for this minister here.

Hon. Bernadette Smith — Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness

Minister responsible for Mental Health

Read the mandate letter for this minister here.

To see a complete listing of Manitoba’s new cabinet ministers and their portfolios, please click here.

Celebrate Shared Health's Spirit Week!

Fall is a time of transition. The leaves have changed colour and cooler temperatures have arrived. No matter the season, you and your teams remain committed to one another and to those who rely on your skills and compassion. This week provides an opportunity to celebrate your team spirit during Shared Health’s Fall Spirit Week.

Click here to check out daily activities, games, movie suggestions, conversation starters, festive virtual backgrounds and more.

Fall Spirit Week Challenge: Manitoba Trivia Quiz

Manitoba is home to great teams, fun festivals and memorable roadside attractions like Happy Rock. Take this quiz and find out just how much you really know about our province. Put your guesses to the test and you could win!

Shared Health will award a $50 gift card to one lucky winner who fills out the quiz correctly.

Winner must be a current health-care worker at a Manitoba facility, program or service. Contest closes Sunday, Nov. 5 at 11:59 p.m.

Send us your festive photos to [email protected] for a chance to see them in an upcoming edition of the Wave. Please be sure to include staff members' names and titles.

Creative approach to Halloween in Selkirk

Selkirk's home care case coordinator team donned fun costumes for Halloween. Thanks to Krista Kozyra for submitting this bright and colourful photo!

Left to right: Lara Cooley, Caitlyn Dalman, Kailey Knapp, Tracy Lothian (maker of all costumes), Carol Birch, homecare CTM Krista Kozyra, social work student Jaylese Dziadek and Chantel Ramos.

Pumpkin carving contest at Rosewood Lodge

Left to right: Cheyenne Sheldon, support services; Chad Senek, maintenance; Teresa Andries, CRN; Cheryl Lee, recreation; Caitlan Prystupa, LPN; Michelle Hazelton, occupational therapist.

Rosewood Lodge staff participated in a pumpkin carving and decorating contest on Oct. 25. Representatives from each department were given 30 minutes to complete their pumpkin.

They were introduced to the residents and short bio was read about each participant. Residents and staff enjoyed cheering on the contestants.

Pumpkins were put on display at the front door so residents, staff, family and friends could vote for their favourite pumpkin. The department with the most votes by Halloween wins a prize.

The recreation team thanks staff for their participation in this event, whether they were carving or cheering on their team.

Thank you to Sheryl Steinthorson-Taylor, recreation coordinator, for this submission.

Happy Halloween in Arborg!

Staff in back row: Cecilia Andool, Kelly Deneka, Savannah Black, "Jason Voorhees" (Kim Southcott), Jackie Krul.

Front: Karen Melnychuk (Recreation), Debbie Calder, Shirley Thompson (resident)

Back row: CTM Michelle Bobowski, Kelly Deneka, Savannah Black, Jackie Krul, Karen Melnychuk, with "Jason Voorhees" (Kim Southcott) in the far back row.

Front row: Debbie Calder, Shirley Thomson, Cecilia Andool, Janet Semchyshyn.

Residents expressed their creativity with these Halloween projects at Arborg Personal Care Home.

Thank you to Michelle Bobowski for sharing these fun photos!

Board of directors learn more about cancer services

IERHA's board of directors recently learned more about cancer services provided in the region. They also toured Interlake-Eastern RHA’s giant colon exhibit that is available for community events.

At back (from left to right): Steven Brennan, Murray Werbeniuk, Susan Bater, Mario Ellis. Middle: Tammy Hagyard-Wiebe; Lorianne Kowaliszyn, regional lead corporate services and chief financial officer; Penny-Anne Wainwright, Debbie Fiebelkorn, Cyndi Typliski, Crystal Behrends, cancer navigation community engagement liaison. Front: Arnthor Jonasson, Michele Polinuk, Tracy Abraham, acute care director.

New X-ray machine comes to Pine Falls

The new X-ray machine in Pine Falls began operating last week. Thank you to staff for your patience while preparations for the arrival of the new equipment occurred!

Congrats to Safety Superstar nominee Bonnie Peloski!

Occupational Safety and Health featured a Safety Superstar event earlier this year to acknowledge and celebrate staff dedication to keeping themselves and others safe in the workplace. Manitoba Association for Safety in Healthcare selected the winners.

Bonnie Peloski, a regional wellness facilitator, was nominated for her support she provided to SAFE Work Certification and her dedicated safety advocacy for the Selkirk Community Office. Bonnie attended the opening meeting with the SAFE Work auditors and reviewed the IERHA Audit Plan from her WS&H Committee worker lens.

Bonnie ensures the Workplace Safety & Health Committee for Selkirk Community Office runs like clockwork and never hesitates to report any safety concerns at the worksite and assists with the resolution.

Bonnie recently attend Workplace Safety & Health Committee training and was presented with her gift by Jessica Selby, safety advisor at Manitoba Association for Safety & Health (MASH).

Thank you to Samantha Roberts, lead of occupational safety and health, disability management and regional education, for this submission.

Reprinting NDTR pins

A second print of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation pins is underway.

If you didn't get a pin during the initial distribution, please email [email protected] with your name and the facility you'd like your pin sent to.

Coping with stress, trauma and post-traumatic stress

Are you a health-care provider who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic? Has your professional experience resulted in personal stress, trauma or post-traumatic stress?

Visit the Healthcare Salute website to try its self-directed learning program Coping with stress, trauma, and post-traumatic stress, which is designed for point-of-care providers.

This resource — which draws on our research interviews with more than 150 Canadian health-care providers conducted during the pandemic — includes activities, writing prompts and strategies to help.

Fall back: Daylight Saving Time ends on Nov. 5

On Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 a.m., clocks will turn back one hour to 1 a.m.

As a result, sunrise and sunset will be about one hour earlier on Nov. 5 than the day before, so there will be more light in the morning.

Selkirk and District Community Foundation supports

SRHC and palliative care

Katie Hibbs, IERHA director of acute care; Bev Clegg, Selkirk & District Community Foundation executive director; and Bonny Wynnobel, board member.

The Interlake Eastern Health Foundation recently received over $60,000 from the Selkirk Hospital Fund and Palliative Care Funds in support of enhanced patient care.

A $16,800 grant from the Palliative Care Fund will purchase air mattress and pumps and $43,900 granted from the Selkirk Hospital Fund will purchase essential equipment, including new gel mattresses and Straxi patient transport chairs with a docking station.

"We look forward to the arrival of this equipment at Selkirk Regional Health Centre and thank the Selkirk and District Community Foundation for their continued support and friendship," said Averill Stephenson, executive director of Interlake Eastern Health Foundation.

This memo from Julene Sawatzky, regional lead, for human resources, advises of changes to mileage rates effective Oct. 1, 2023.

We welcome the following new staff members who have agreed to have their names printed in the Wave. We wish you all long and rewarding Interlake-Eastern RHA careers!

Reise Chwartacki, housekeeping aide, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
Jade Driedger, registered nurse, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
Bonnie Ellila, housekeeping aide, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
Shannon Hartwich, registered nurse, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
Connie Holmlund, registered nurse, Crisis Stabilization Unit
Sharla Josefchuk, health-care aide, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
Janice Kowerko, health-care aide, Rosewood Lodge, Stonewall
Sheldean Lawrence, registered nurse, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
Jessica May, assistant cook, Teulon Hunter Memorial Hospital
Oriole Mitchell, health-care aide, Arborg Personal Care Home
Chris Parson, accounts payable clerk, Corporate Office
Carmen Paul, assistant cook, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
Anna Pochynok, health-care aide, East Gate Lodge, Beausejour
Taylor Stark, registered nurse, Beausejour Health Centre
Madeline Tinant, home care attendant, Lac du Bonnet Health Centre
Channelle Twiss, health-care aide, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
Tim A. Warren, social worker, East Gate Lodge, Beausejour
Richard Wiebe, maintenance, Pine Falls Health Complex

Click here to visit QSS or call payroll at 1-855-866-4430 if you need assistance checking your schedule online.

Life in the Middle

A free four-week virtual online workshop series focusing on menopause and perimenopause runs Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m.

Nov. 7 — Pelvic Floor Physio
Nov. 14 — Ask a Pharmacist: Managing Symptoms
Nov. 21 — Mood & Menopause
Nov. 28 — The Doctor is In! Ask a Menopause Specialist.

Click here to see a poster, which includes info about how to register.

Learning series topic: Mobile RAAM clinics

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 1 to 2 p.m.

Click here to register.

Learn more about upcoming presentations.

Palliative care education:

LEAP personal support worker online self-learning course

There are 16 modules and these will take approximately 6 to 8 hours to complete. A certificate will be issued upon completion from Pallium Manitoba.

Please register with Barb Ramsay, palliative care volunteer coordinator, at 204-785-7542 or email [email protected] by Nov. 30. Provide an email (as an access key will be provided to you to access the course) and phone number.

The course is $50, and IEHF has secured donor funding to support this training for IERHA employees.

See LEAP brochure for more information about the course.

Roma Journal with Phone Pocket

$22

Colour: Blue
Textured Thermo PU cover featuring elastic smartphone pocket
Includes approx. 80 ruled sheets of 80g cream paper
Features elastic pen holder and ribbon bookmark
Document pocket on inside back cover
Gift box packaging

Last chance to order holiday gifts for colleagues. Last order for this year! Order cut-off is Nov. 17 for delivery to corporate office on Dec. 8.

Visit our online shop.

Save 15% off all bulk tea & Teas2Go (hot or iced).

Online orders also receive 15% off using coupon code IERHA360.

All offers exclude teaware, accessories and matcha. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts.

IERHA employees must advise that they work for IERHA and show their employee photo ID badge as proof of employment to receive the discount.

Learn more.

Deux opportunités to learn French!

Winter is coming…and so is the winter session of French in the Health Care setting!

French in the Health Care Setting registration is now open! Open to all levels, beginner to advanced.

Registration deadline is Dec. 1.

Et aussi (as well) visit the University of Saint-Boniface Education Plus + portal for everything you need to know about their French Program for Health Professionals!

Active Offer with Ease Workshop - NEW

Nov. 8, 2023

WRHA has opened this up to Interlake-Eastern RHA staff at an intermediate level of French. This free workshop will make you more comfortable in French and your patients or clients more comfortable with you.

Registration deadline is TODAY (Nov. 1).