From left to right: Loren Schinkel, reeve, RM of Lac du Bonnet; Marion Ellis, CEO, IERHA; Blair Skinner, mayor, LGD of Pinawa; Greg Short, councillor, Town of Lac du Bonnet; Gordon Peters, former mayor, Town of Lac du Bonnet; Hon. Wayne Ewasko, minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning; Hon. Scott Johnston, minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care; Ken Lodge, mayor, Town of Lac du Bonnet; and Dave Thusberg, construction business leader.

Last week, the provincial government announced partnerships with communities to expand the number of personal care homes in Manitoba.

The announcement includes four projects in our region in the communities of Arborg, Lac du Bonnet, Oakbank and Stonewall.

These new facilities will significantly benefit our efforts to connect people with appropriate care by adding a combined total of approximately 325 new personal care home beds in addition to our existing 747 beds. 

In addition, the announcement focused on a new home and community care model called community supportive living that will offer affordable home-like spaces. These facilities will have three different tiers of care to meet the varying degrees of chronic and complex needs of eligible seniors. It is anticipated this pilot project will create additional beds for senior care in the Ashern/Eriksdale area and Selkirk area.

Click here to continue reading the memo from CEO Marion Ellis.

Click here to read the press release from the provincial government.

Camp Stepping Stones resumed camp in person from June 2 to 4 with 43 campers and 26 volunteers. Geared for kids aged seven to 17 who have recently lost a parent or somebody close to them, this camp is an Interlake-Eastern RHA initiative.

“It was sunny, hot and dry which meant no restrictions to the activities planned. Volunteers and campers alike enjoyed the Camp Stepping Stones experience,” says Barb Ramsay, palliative care coordinator. “We had a few returning volunteers to guide us through the weekend and for the many first time volunteers.”

The campers were greeted with stuffed animals placed on their bunks donated by Little Elska. Campers were also able to write on a wooden heart the name of their loved one and insert it into the stuffy and then they gathered at the Lighthouse to decorate and display picture frames for their loved ones for all to see.

The campers also enjoyed s’mores around campfires, tractor drawn hay rides, making dream catchers, memory boxes, painting rocks, archery, rope climbing, and some free time to play games.

A highlight of the weekend was the learnings offered by Antuarko from Inti Muju (a not for profit organization that creates initiatives to preserve the spiritual knowledge and ancestral wisdom of Indigenous community and cultures around the world) who led everyone through an evening campfire with flutes and instruction on accompanying rain sticks.

Prior to campers’ departure, campers and volunteers joined together in the large field for a farewell. Holding hands in a very large circle each camper and volunteer had an opportunity to share what they liked most about camp. Here is what some of the campers had to say:

• “I liked playing and making friends it kind of helped me grieve”
• “I liked this camp because there is so much to do”

Mark your calendars! Next year’s camp is set for May 31 to June 2, 2024, and we’re already looking for volunteers.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can fill out an application form.

“Without Volunteers – Camp Stepping Stones would not be possible. The Volunteers unwavering commitment and dedication to working with children and youth is beyond comparison,” says Ramsay.

For more information, contact Barb at bramsay@ierha.ca, 1-855-494-7369 or 204-785-7542 or click here.

A very special thank you to Barb Ramsay, palliative care coordinator for organizing a successful camp weekend and our IERHA staff who volunteered: Cameron Benedictson, Ferdinand Funk, Krista Kozyra, Amanda Montefusco, Christine Skakum, Lindsay Sigurdson and Mike Todd. 

At Hollow Water Treaty Days (from left, front to back:): Coun. Henry Moneds, housing portfolio; Lori Buors, IERHA Indigenous HR; Coun. Les Williams, health portfolio; Coun. Geof Bushie (behind Carroll), education portfolio. On bull, centre: Carroll Hull, IERHA Cancer Care. Right side, front to back: Crystal Behrends, IERHA Cancer Care; Alisyn Makowski, IERHA registered dietitian and Michelle Berthelette, IERHA French language services coordinator/wellness facilitator. Not in picture: Santana Boulet, IERHA chronic disease nurse.

Above: Loretta Simard, Hollow Water Health Centre gardener (left), and Carroll Hull with Cancer Care. Loretta won a quilt in the Cancer Care prize draw.

Attendees enjoyed a community pig roast.

Bissett students checked out the giant colon display.

Thank you to Lori Buors, Indigenous human resources development assistant, and Robert Maytwayashing, Indigenous Human Resources development officer, for this submission.

IERHA staff members received a warm welcome at Hollow Water Treaty Days on June 21. About 70 community members, students from Hollow Water and students from Bissett visited the IERHA booths at the event.

IERHA staff from Cancer Care and human resources also attended Kinonjeoshtegon (Jackhead) First Nation Treaty Day on July 5.

Treaty Days are celebrated to commemorate the treaty-signing by each of the First Nations in our region, which could be either Treaty 1, 2 or 5.

Mark your calendar for upcoming Treaty Days:

• July 18 — Peguis First Nation
• July 19 — Lake St. Martin First Nation
• July 21 — Black River First Nation
• July 24 — Fisher River First Nation
• Aug. 2 — Sagkeeng First Nation
• Aug. 3 — Little Saskatchewan First Nation
• Aug. 11 — Brokenhead First Nation
• Aug. 16 — Dauphin River First Nation
• Aug. 17 — Pinaymootang First Nation

Learn more about upcoming Treaty Days.

Interlake Reserves Tribal Council had booths at Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation Treaty Day. 

Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation Treaty Day took place July 5.

What is a blood and/or body fluid exposure?

• Puncture from a needle stick, or cuts from other sharps.
• Body fluid splash to open skin or eyes, nose or mouth.
• Human bites.

High risk fluids are: blood, tissue, genital fluid, CSF, synovial, peritoneal, pleural, pericardial, amniotic fluid, breast milk. Exposure to these fluids require follow-up.

Low risk fluids are: saliva, urine, vomit, feces, nasal secretions, sputum, sweat and tears (unless visibly contaminated with blood), these fluids do NOT transmit HIV, Hep B and Hep C.

What to do if you get a blood or body fluid exposure:

Step 1: If a needlestick or cut, rinse the wound with soap and water. Let the wound bleed freely, do not milk. If a splash to your eyes, nose or mouth, flush eyes, nose or mouth with running water.

Step 2: Report the exposure to your supervisor/manager immediately. They will initiate our post exposure protocol. See Post Exposure Prophylaxis Protocol IP&C-1-P-60 in Document Central.

Step 3: Attend your nearest ER immediately. Treatment for HIV (PEP medication) should be initiated within four hours of exposure but up to 72hrs from the time of exposure.

Step 4: Ensure that a patient risk assessment was done and post exposure source bloodwork was drawn from the patient. Your manager/supervisor will assist with this. We need this information to know if you are at risk.

Step 5: Complete an Injury Near Miss (INM) form and notify the Occupational Health Nurse that you were exposed by calling 204-785-4717. The Occupational Health Nurse will contact you to complete your follow-up.

Reference: Manitoba Health, Public Health Branch (October 2018) Post Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV, HBV and HCV: Integrated protocol for managing exposures to blood and body fluids in Manitoba. Post-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV, HBV and HCV (gov.mb.ca).

Thank you to Joanne Marceniuk, occupational health nurse, for this submission.

Thank you to Averill Stephenson, executive director of Interlake-Eastern Health Foundation, for this great information.

This year the $5 Club will award a total of $23,000 to fund programs to improve the health of our community! It’s incredible what we can do $5 at a time. Thank you to everyone who put forward nominations and voted. There were so many very deserving programs.

Programs that will be receiving funding this year are:

• Mental health/crisis centres for rural communities
• Interlake Sexual Exploitation Educators
• Harvest Manitoba
• HERO's Alliance - Lunch is on Us!
• Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen – Selkirk
• Wings of Power for the Pine Falls/Powerview/Sagkeeng Food Security- Food Access Initiative
• Riverton Food Bank
• Selkirk Friendship Centre Daycare
• Beausejour food bank

On behalf of the programs receiving support this year and all the programs that have received support in the past, a great big thank you to each of you for your support of our community! 

Look for pictures from cheque presentations and more about the programs that $5 Club is supporting in future editions of the Wave.

With your support, we can do even more next year. If you are not a member and want to join in on the fun, click here to learn more about the $5 Club.

Thank you to Ashley Bobier, public health nurse at Ashern Community Health Office, for this submission.

The Ashern public health office recently received a generous donation of stuffed animals, character Band-Aids and stickers from the Lakeshore Hospital Guild. 

These items will be used to help improve the immunization experience and will bring some joy to the children seen by the Ashern public health nurse. 

Many staff have already commented on what a great initiative this is and expect to see even more smiling faces leaving their appointments. 

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to the Lakeshore Hospital Guild for all of the hard work they do to raise funds for the betterment of health care in the community of Ashern. Read more.

Thank you to Sheryl Steinthorson-Taylor, recreation coordinator at Rosewood Lodge Personal Care Home, for this submission.

Rosewood Lodge received a donation of a 75-inch T.V. and soundbar from the Stonewall and District Lions Club on June 19.

Click here to see a poster.

Pictured are Bill Ridgeway, Lions Club member, and Sheryl Steinthorson-Taylor, recreation coordinator.

Photo credit: Terra Indigena

Annette McCorrister and family. Left to right: son Greg, daughters Denise Bear and Sheryl McCorrister. Annette walks each day to keep in shape.

Terra Indigena recently published an article by James Wastasecoot about IERHA's collaborative approach with Peguis First Nation.

Click here to read the article.

The Manitoba government looks forward to welcoming hundreds of qualified internationally educated health-care professionals after nearly 90 per cent of candidates offered jobs during a recent recruitment mission to the Philippines accepted positions across the province.

“Leading up to the arrival of these new registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and health-care aides, we are focused on ensuring a smooth arrival with travel and accommodation arranged for them, orientation and mentorship to their future work location, and settlement services in the community that they will soon call home,” said Monika Warren, chief nursing officer, Shared Health.

“Candidates have been assessed for skills and experience as well as any existing connections to a Manitoba community before being offered a role in a specific location.”

Shared Health has also issued a request for proposals from interested proponents to assist in finding safe, affordable permanent or rental housing for incoming staff in communities throughout the province.

Read more.

Now that summer is here, animal encounters might be more common during camping and cabin adventures.

It’s important to be aware that rabies can be transmitted from animals to humans. The viral infection is most commonly transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal to fresh broken skin or a mucous membrane in the eye, nose or mouth.

Rabies attacks the nervous system, eventually affecting the brain, and it’s usually fatal once symptoms appear.

According to the Provincial Rabies Management Program, three positive animal cases were confirmed in Manitoba from January to March 2023. In 2022, there were a total of 15 confirmed animal cases. However, there have been no reported human cases of rabies on record in Manitoba.

In Manitoba, skunks, bats and Arctic foxes in the north are the most common animals to transmit and become infected with rabies. All mammals can transmit rabies, including domestic pets like cats and dogs. However, there is no risk of rabies transmission for mice and squirrels that look and behave normally. 

Read more.

Do you know a staff member who deserves recognition for going above and beyond?

Nominations are now open for IERHA's Chair's Award for Excellence in Customer Service. The award aims to recognize Interlake-Eastern RHA staff members who repeatedly go above and beyond to reflect our vision, mission and values.

Nominees will be evaluated by a committee composed of representatives from Interlake-Eastern RHA’s board of directors and staff. Our board chair will present this award to a deserving staff member.

The nomination deadline is Monday, July 31.

Click here to see the award criteria and for a fillable nomination from.

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!

• Szymon Bacal, undergraduate nursing employee, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
• Sam Bayer, maintenance worker, Ashern Personal Care Home
• Alicia Fiebelkorn, home care attendant, Beausejour Community Health Office
• Jayme Franco, registered nurse, Lakeshore General Hospital – Ashern
• Dana Horbaty, housekeeping/laundry aide, Kin Place Personal Care Home – Oakbank
• Jade Jasper, dietary aide, Kin Place Personal Care Home – Oakbank
• Anmol Kamboj, health-care aide, East Gate Lodge Personal Care Home – Beausejour
• Jessica LaBossiere, admitting clerk, Beausejour District Hospital
• Kayla Magda-Murphy, activity assistant, Sunnywood Manor – Pine Falls
• Chloe Martin, dietary aide, Kin Place Personal Care Home – Oakbank
• Vaibhav Mathur, undergraduate nursing employee, Teulon/Hunter Memorial Hospital
• Robynn Munro, housekeeping/laundry aide, Lundar Personal Care Home
• Hailey Sanderson, dietary aide, Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home
• Tammi Simpson, health-care aide, Selkirk Community Health Office
• Brenda Tully, housekeeping aide, Stonewall & District Health Centre

Registration for the fall sessions of French in the health care setting is open. 

Deadline to apply is Aug. 23.

Click here to access the registration form and detailed information.

Les inscriptions pour les sessions d’automne du français en milieu de santé sont ouvertes. 

La date limite d'inscription est fixée au 23 août. 

Cliquez sur le lien pour accéder au formulaire d'inscription et aux informations détaillées.

ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Selkirk Regional Health Centre.

Participants must attend the two full days to receive certificate of completion

This two-day workshop is designed to help all caregivers become more willing, ready and able to help persons at risk and offers practical intervention skills that can be used with people of all ages.

COST: $125 payment is required to secure spot. IERHA staff are able to use Regional Education funds towards registration cost, by completing the Application for Funding Assistance form (#5261) located on Document Central.

Click here to see a poster.

Indigenous Cultural Awareness Sessions

These one-day workshops introduce a basic knowledge of world views, spiritual and cultural values of Indigenous peoples. Participants will also learn about historic and contemporary issues that influence Indigenous peoples. 

By attending this workshop, participants will increase their awareness and understanding of Indigenous cultures in a health-care setting, while also increasing their ability to provide culturally competent and proficient care.

In addition, they will gain new knowledge and tools to help build a culturally respectful workplace.

A delicious lunch of stew, bannock and rice pudding is provided.

Be sure to check LMS for more information and to register for upcoming Indigenous Cultural Awareness Sessions. 

Seats are still available on Sept. 18 at Selkirk Regional Health Centre.

Registered and you can't make it? Please contact Lori Buors, Indigenous human resources development assistant, before the course date at 204-280-1279 or lbuors@ierha.ca.

Level 2 Wound Care – New Registration Procedure

Level 2 wound care courses are now available for sign up in LMS, with a change to the registration procedure for this year.

Employees are now required to submit a signed Application for Funding Assistance Form prior to registration in LMS. This will ensure payroll is completed accurately for those entitled to renumeration. Completion of Level 1 wound care remains a prerequisite.

The dates for the courses are:

• Oct. 20, 2023
• Nov. 24, 2023
• Jan. 9, 2024
• March 8, 2024
• May 8, 2024

Please contact Stephanie Lamoureux, skin integrity and wound care coordinator, at slamoureux2@ierha.ca for course-related questions and the education department at Education@ierha.ca for LMS-related questions. 

Order cut-off is July 28 for delivery to corporate office on Aug. 18.

Visit our online shop.

We're looking for your story ideas!

Send your submission of 250 words or less to ierhawave@ierha.ca by Friday and we'll work to get your story into the next issue.

We're taking a break from publishing editions in weeks following statutory holidays.

There will be no issue of the Wednesday Wave published on Aug. 9.