Congrats to our Valentine's Day contest winners!

Last week, we ran a contest in the Wednesday Wave inviting staff members to share what their favourite part about working for Interlake-Eastern RHA.

We randomly selected two winners — Susan Borkowsky and Susan Walker — to win a prize. Here's what they had to say:

At Pine Falls Hospital, staff members shared the love of their job and teamwork by dressing in red, pink and burgundy for Valentine's Day.



Back row: Marius Velena, LPN; Harjot, HCA. Middle row: Courtney Richard, LPN; Cherry Velena, HCA, Chantal Vincent; HCA. Front row: Dianne Villamena, RN; Carmelyne Santos-Absolid, LPN; Marie Legao-Cabrera, RN; Adeline (Vicki) Reid-Kush, ward clerk. 

Thank you to Adeline (Vicki) Reid-Kush for this fun submission! 

From left to right: Diane Findlay,

Simran Sran and Nadia Goorcharan

Nadia Goorcharan, registered cardiology technologist

Lori Martin, regional recreation manager, and Kirsten Bates, recreation coordinator for Kin Place Personal Care Home

Entertainer Adam T Elvis and recreation facilitator Diane Dmytriw at Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home.

Thank you to Lori Martin, regional recreation manager, for this submission.

Send out some love to your hard-working therapeutic recreation staff at all the facilities this month since February has been deemed by the Manitoba government as Therapeutic Recreation Month. 

Therapeutic recreation staff develop specific therapeutic interventions for residents that promote independence, engages residents in programming of interest, keeps residents socially integrated and active with their community and they utilize leisure activities as a means to encourage, promote and improve the overall quality of life of a resident. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my staff for all their hard work, commitment to bettering the lives of others and for their amazing creativity! You make such a difference for so many!  

Cheryl Laferriere, recreation coordinator for East Gate Lodge, with resident James Yanick.

Residents enjoyed soaking recreation facilitator Sheryl Steinthorson-Taylor with the reverse dunk tank at the Rosewood Lodge summer carnival.

The Arborg community recently grew by one more family who recently arrived from the Philippines.

Deanna Fernando landed in Manitoba in early February as a participant in the Philippines recruitment initiative, along with her husband Renz and their 10-year-old son Darence.

In the Philippines, Deanna worked in private health care. Now that she’s in Manitoba, she’s working as a health-care aide at Arborg Personal Care Home.

“What I find the most fulfilling and rewarding working in health care is that I get to make a difference in the world — seeing the positive impact on my patients’ lives and knowing that I am directly helping patients overcome their health challenges,” she said.

“A sense of purpose is what drives me to work every day. Too often, we forget all the other things that makes our job what it truly is: to be compassionate and having a desire to make a difference not just with other people but also within ourselves.”

She’s grateful to community members and coworkers who have helped her family get settled into their new Arborg home.

“Our new community is safe, welcoming and multicultural. They have welcomed us with open arms. We quickly feel at home. My co-workers and ‘kababayans’ (Filipino community) truly helped and guided us to settle in during our first week here in Arborg through their genuine kindness and generosity. I am grateful for all the support and warm welcome we received in our new community,” Deanna said.

“I genuinely want to take a moment and give a huge thanks to IERHA for giving me the chance to achieve my dreams together with my family. All the guidance and support that they have given me are overwhelming and everything is truly appreciated. Thank you for believing in me and giving this opportunity. I’m looking forward to making the most of it and have the best time of my life working with your team.”

Read the full story.

This March, as the achievements of women around the world are celebrated, we will be recognizing inspiring Manitoba women who have shaped (and who continue to shape) access, equity and excellence in health care.

We are in search of these stories and ask you to consider nominating a woman in health care who has inspired others, someone you would consider a trailblazer or mentor in our health-care community.

Nominate someone who has inspired, mentored or otherwise made an impact in your life — whether personal or professional.

Thank you in advance for any and all helpful nominations or suggestions.

Do you know a nursing, pharmacy or allied health student in need of a summer job?

Please tell them about our Home for the Summer student opportunity. Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, in conjunction with Manitoba Healthcare Providers Network, is offering a unique opportunity for summer work placements for nursing, pharmacy and allied health post-secondary students.

Placements are for a period up to 18 weeks, with students working hands-on and conducting research. Work placements will start as early as April and will be completed by the end of August, based on a letter of offer.

Please apply at Job Posting # IERHA 303/24 by Feb. 22.

More information:

• For students
• Quadrant Self Service

Celebrating 50 years of love: Anniversary celebration gives back

In a heartwarming tale of love, commitment and community, Bob and Wendy McLeary recently celebrated their 50th anniversary in a truly special way. As the significant milestone approached, the couple embarked on a journey to create lasting memories and contribute to the betterment of their community.

"We are at the stage of our lives where we are trying to downsize, so we wanted to give our guests the opportunity to do something different from a traditional gift,” shared Bob. “We decided to invite our guests to contribute to something near and dear to us — endowment funds we had previously established.” Learn more.

Join in on some festival fun! The Festival du Voyageur is happening from Feb. 16 to 25, 2024. To add a bit of fun to your festival experience, Francophone Health is hosting a quick and fun quiz.

Answer these questions for a chance to win free passes to the Festival du Voyageur.

Please send your answers to jbazin@sharedhealthmb.ca by today (Feb. 14) at 12 p.m.

All answers can be found on the Festival du Voyageur website.

Send your pet photos to ierhawave@ierha.ca. Your photos might be shared in the Wednesday Wave, as well as on IERHA social media and website.