On days of remembrance, take time to honour those who have served and continue to serve to defend peace.

Read more about Remembrance Day and watch this year's Remembrance video.

Flags at IERHA facilities will fly at half-mast today for Indigenous Veterans Day and on Friday, Nov. 10 for the weekend in advance of Remembrance Day.

Left to right at back: Jackie Demkowsky, pain care clinic nurse; Craig Hillier, director health services, Manitoba Pain Program; Front: Cheri Besignano, Pain Care Clinic interim CTM; Melanie Bernas, pain clinic nurse; Dr. Ryan Amadeo, medical director, Manitoba Pain 

Care Program; Navya Johnson, unit assistant pain care clinic; Tara Brasseur, unit assistant; Patti Vandenbossche, pain clinic project lead; Dr. Lesley Graff, department head, clinical health psychology, Max Rady College of Medicine; Dr. Jeffrey Freedman, pain care clinic physician; Tanya Cheetham, regional lead, health services - public health, acute care & chief nursing officer; Dr. Quyen Nguyen, anesthesiologist/pain physician; Katie Hibbs, director, acute care.

On Nov. 1, the pain care clinic at Selkirk Regional Health Centre's outpatient centre started treating its first patients.

Selkirk’s pain care clinic is an extension of the Manitoba Pain Care Program. The addition of the Selkirk clinic to the provincial network provides an increase in service to Manitobans who suffer from chronic and complex pain issues. The clinic location in Selkirk will treat underserved populations in the region closer to home. This is part of a service strategy to help rural communities shift from pain medication prescriptions to alternate care options.

Patients can access the Manitoba Pain Care Program through a referral by their care provider. All clinic referrals are being triaged and prioritized for appointments.

During Allied Health Professionals Week from Nov. 5 to 11, let's celebrate the diverse and highly specialized skills of our province’s allied health professionals. Representing nearly 200 disciplines working in every sector and area of our health system, allied health professionals are vital members of our health-care teams.

A career in health care came naturally to Pratima Waghmare. Growing up in India, she witnessed the positive impact her mother, a nurse, had on the health and well-being of others in their community. While she knew that she wanted a career in caring, Pratima’s journey took her down a different path, toward a career as an audiologist.

As an audiologist with Interlake-Eastern RHA in Beausejour, Pratima Waghmare is trained to identify, diagnose and manage care plans for individuals with peripheral or central hearing loss, tinnitus, vestibular and balance disorders across every stage of life. 

“When you work with a rural population, their challenges are different, and people tend to share some of their personal experiences with you,” she said. “I think it makes you more resilient, more courageous, because they have shown courage in their life. The community itself is like that, and that approach gives you a more positive outlook on life.”

Read the full story on Shared Health's website.

A local nurse took her skills to the seas to serve on board a hospital ship filled with volunteer medical professionals.

On Sept. 7, Sarah Gillon travelled to Freetown, Sierra Leone, to serve with Mercy Ships for four weeks as an operating room nurse.

Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships is a Christian organization with a mission to bring hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor and provide surgical care to people living in Africa who might not have access otherwise, she explained. At the same time, the organization focuses on strengthening the local health-care infrastructure.

“It was so exciting to learn from and be mentored by health-care professionals from around the world,” said Sarah, a project lead for surgical services at Selkirk Regional Health Centre.

“I left Sierra Leone with a heart that was so full. I had experienced so much joy and purpose, and it truly reminded me of why I chose nursing in the first place. We have this beautiful privilege to help others through the raw, vulnerable human experiences of life, to offer compassion and support and to advocate for the best possible care.”

As an operating room nurse, Sarah was a part of the maxillofacial, reconstructive plastics and general surgery teams that provided life-changing surgeries for many people.

Read more.

Yvonne Oxer, regional manager of patient care, led a tour of Selkirk Regional Health Centre for the students. Left to right: Jayden Waldner, Sawyer Yarych, Yvonne Oxer, Dilinna Chukwujama, Amelia Simard, Evelyn Clyde.

"Yvonne was a great tour guide," said Lori Buors, Indigenous human resources development assistant.

Cross-trained X-ray technologist Sharon Campbell brought her son Colton to see what it’s like to work in Gimli Diagnostics.

The next generation got a glimpse of career opportunities on Take Our Kids to Work Day last week.

The national program provides an opportunity for Grade 9 students gain exposure to the workplace alongside parents, caregivers or other family members to learn about a range of professions.

The 2023 event is sponsored by national non-profit Students Commission of Canada, and this year’s theme is “Everyone belongs here.”

On Nov. 1, a total of 20 students participated in facilities across the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority in Stonewall, Eriksdale, Selkirk, Gimli, Oakbank and Stony Plains.

Some participants spent time in personal care homes, surgery, emergency department and supportive housing. Others had the chance to tour hospitals to learn about acute care, maintenance, support services, cancer care, day surgery and diagnostics. One student job shadowed a doctor for the day.

“A lot of planning and organizing went into this, and we appreciate all the hard work,” said Ian Magnan, recruitment and community engagement officer.

“Each department was well spoken and they were all happy to take five to 10 minutes out of their busy schedule to share with us. Thank you!”

A big thanks to all our staff who took a few minutes to talk about their work, the training and education they have and, most importantly, what they find meaningful about working rurally and serving our community.

Left to right: Cindy Mann, RN; Chloe Fedyk, student; Lisa Fedyk, LPN; and Siobhaun Henry, LPN, at Gimli Hospital.

Chloe Nazararewich was at the HEW Primary Health in Beausejour along with her mom, Crystal Nazarewich.

Finance clerk Vanessa Pearson's nephew Nathaniel Fawcett experienced life as an administrative assistant for the Teulon hospital and Goodwin Lodge Personal Care Home.

"It was so great to share a bit of my work and experience with him," Vanessa said.



"He also helped the recreation department taking down Halloween decorations and chatting with some of our residents. All in all, a very great day."

Left to right: Mikellen Ellis, Nolan Law, Lekeia Thickfoot and Tristan Spares.

Four Grade 9 students representing three different high schools spent the day at Beausejour Health Centre.

They met with staff from dietary, housekeeping and maintenance to physicians, nurses, clinic administration and health information services.

Tours included the lab, X-ray, audiology booth, rehab gym and the hospital. They also learned about jobs students can apply for starting in high school.

Driving in winter weather creates a challenge for vehicles and drivers. It is important to keep your vehicle in good operating condition to eliminate or at least minimize any critical issues that may potentially leave you stranded or create a mishap while driving in Manitoba’s winter weather.

Click here to learn more about winter vehicle check-ups, preparation before you go, driving in winter weather, what to do if you get stuck in the snow and winter driving kit contents.

Thank you to Jay Ferens, regional manager for disaster management, for this submission.

The scheduling department showed their creative side with their fun and festive costumes.

Left to right: Crystal Reske, staffing clerk; Andrea Behl, staffing clerk, Kim Einarson, HR supervisor-scheduling; Christine Rushinka, staffing clerk; Angela Skrypnyk, staffing clerk; and Toni Oleschak, staffing clerk.

In Lundar, the local daycare came for a visit and the school children came to sing songs for the residents. In addition, they had a party with extra treats and the residents gave out candies until 7 p.m.

They truly enjoyed seeing all the little ones. Pictured: resident Harvey Jacobson as Elvis, temporary recreation coordinator Christina Loshaw as a prisoner and HCA Darvin Lepiene is a rabbit.

The team at Sunnywood PCH got into the spirit of Halloween. Left to right: April Obirek, Raven Cook, Debbie Richardson, Ila Hladky, Reuben Asis, Mark Mercado.

East Gate Lodge Personal Care Home celebrated Halloween with a costume contest. Pictured: Karen Berry, volunteer/family member; Chantel Masse, nurse; Nizana Bartel, recreation facilitator; Marilyn Bonkowski, housekeeping/laundry; Larissa Mars, dietary aide; Lisa Carmichael, receptionist; Mekiela Sweet, nurse; Linda Tomlin, HCA; Jan Smith, rehab aide; Gabe Papetti, HCA; Lea Chroney, HCA; Carena Vincent-Blount, housekeeping; Anne Woligroski, resident; James Yanick, resident; Claudette Papineau, resident; Wilma Nikodem, resident; Mercedes Sweet, recreation facilitator; Kenny Oneschuk, maintenance lead hand; Cindee Bialek, care team manager; Cheryl Laferriere, recreation coordinator.

Check out the creative costumes of Angie Penner, HCA; Mary Somerville, nurse; Linda Tomlin, HCA; Lea Chorney, HCA; Gabe Papetti, HCA.

Each department competed in a pumpkin decorating contest at Kin Place. Each year, the competition stakes get higher. Check out some of the wonderful creations from this year. 

Staff and residents alike enjoyed Halloween festivities at Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home.

Snap a photo of this key contact info to keep close at hand.

Or click here to access a PDF version that you can print for quick reference. 

Payroll

Inquiries regarding pay, benefits, retirement, QSS password resets: payroll@ierha.ca or 1-855-866-4430

Scheduling

Inquiries regarding new schedules or scheduling changes: scheduling@ierha.ca or 1-888-785-7823

Human Resources

HR@ierha.ca or HR Shared Services Centre at 204-940-8500 or 1-866-999-9698 (choose option 5) HRSharedServices@sharedhealthmb.ca

The third Tuesday in November marks the annual National Grief and Bereavement Day in Canada. This year, it falls on Nov. 21.

Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association encourages Canadians to engage in a national dialogue to identify and support access to the necessary resources for those living with grief and bereavement. Click here to learn more and to download resources.

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!

• Daria Chyrakh, dietary aide, Gimli Community Health Centre
• Serina Dilk, dietary aide, Rosewood Lodge Personal Care Home - Stonewall
• Lucinda Geisler, health-care aide, Lakeshore General Hospital – Ashern
• Madison Komadowski, housekeeping aide, Whitemouth District Health Centre
• Barb Metcalfe, housekeeping aide, Gimli Community Health Centre
• Jillian Slaney, dietary aide, Stonewall & District Health Centre
• Amber Abraham, home care attendant, Selkirk
• Stephan Badenhorst, dietary aide, Kin Place Personal Care Home – Oakbank
• Ashley Batenchuk, home care attendant, Selkirk
• Simone Dumont, registered nurse, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
• Henry Fehr, courier driver, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
• Nicole Gentes, administrative assistant, Selkirk Community Health Office
• Lisa Gulenchyn, health-care aide, Whitemouth Personal Care Home
• Abby Highmoor, housekeeping aide, Rosewood Lodge Personal Care Home – Stonewall
• Chris Hofer, patient flow & transition facilitator, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
• Rochell Javier, recreation facilitator, Fisher Personal Care Home
• Agatha Klassen, health-care aide, Arborg Personal Care Home
• Oluwatobi Olatunji, home care attendant, Selkirk
• McKyla Poponick, occupational therapist, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
• Josie Rogodeinski, home care attendant, Stonewall
• Angelie Rodriguez, registered nurse, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
• Monica Stagg, housekeeping/dietary aide, Lakeshore General Hospital – Ashern
• Lowie Tamudmud, registered nurse, Selkirk Regional Health Centre
• Jina Thomas, home care attendant, Selkirk
• Maria Waldner, home care attendant, Teulon
• Natasha Wellman, home care attendant, Selkirk

Wound Care Level 2

There is still space in our upcoming Wound Care Level 2 sessions. All professional staff are welcome to sign up!

Attendants are required to complete Level 1 wound care through LMS prior to attending Level 2. To sign up, staff are to register through LMS, as well as fill out the Application for Funding for an Education Session form (must be signed by your manager if you want to get paid!).

The next full-day Level 2 sessions will be held at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre on the following dates:

• Nov. 24
• Jan. 9, 2024
• March 8, 2024
• May 8, 2024

For questions regarding LMS or registration, please contact IERHA Education at education@ierha.ca. For questions regarding course content, please contact Stephanie Lamoureux, skin integrity and wound care coordinator, at Slamoureux2@ierha.ca. 

ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

Dec. 6 and 7 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.

Click here to see a poster with more info. 

Targeting Isolation Together E-Modules

Targeting Isolation has developed self-paced e-modules for health-care workers and community volunteers. Health-care workers and community volunteers may encounter socially isolated older adults in their daily work.

This learning activity provides information on the health impacts of social isolation and loneliness, how to talk about social isolation and loneliness, how to look for signs and how to refer older Manitobans to community services.

The e-module and quiz take about 45-60 minutes to complete and participants obtain a certificate of completion.

Learn more.

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.

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 Nov. 15.