On behalf of Southern Health-Santé Sud (SH-SS), we would like to thank the Home Visitors of SH-SS for your unwavering dedication and commitment to supporting families in our region. By recognizing and highlighting each family’s strengths and abilities, you support families to work towards creating a nurturing family environment, in line with their values and goals. Your empathetic and compassionate approach creates a safe and welcoming space for families to share their hopes, dreams and opportunities, seek guidance and support and actively participate in their family’s wellness journey.

Your exceptional skills in building partnerships and relationships with families and colleagues, have not only enriched the lives of individual families but also strengthened the entire SH-SS community. Your positive impact resonates throughout our organization, creating a culture of teamwork, respect, inclusivity and shared goals. 

As a way of saying thank you, we have entered all our Home Visitor employees into a draw and these are the lucky winners! Congratulations Carla Bezan and Amanda Buhler! Prizes will be sent to the winners via interoffice mail.

Submitted by: Stephanie Verhoeven, Director – Public Health-Healthy Living & Primary Care and Dominique Leclerc, Recruitment & Retention Officer

The Healthy Living Team launched a Love My Community Challenge to all schools within Southern Health-Santé Sud for Mental Health Week in May.

Love My Community Day was originally created by a group of students at Roseau Valley School in southern Manitoba to spread kindness, create joy, and build relationships with community of all ages. The goal was to think of small things that we can do that help ourselves and others take care of our mental well-being! Our team wanted to spread the movement throughout the region and encourage all schools/classrooms to complete a project. These projects could range from simple initiatives such as community walks, activities with local senior groups, community clean up initiatives, art night, and many more. There are many ways to show our love and appreciation to our communities!

19 schools/classrooms entered the contest and did such wonderful things to connect with their communities! Entries ranged from intergenerational connections, kindness rocks spread throughout the community, community clean up events, Cultural showcase, inspirational sidewalk chalk messages, planned daycare activities, “Amazing Race”, along with many more. Five lucky schools were drawn for a $200 prize to be used towards a classroom celebration. The prize was an incentive for schools/classes to participate, with the winning classroom being able to celebrate together, socialize, and create connections all while improving their mental wellbeing.

We want to thank all the schools for their efforts to improve mental well-being! These projects definitely have a ripple effect and bring joy throughout the community!! We hope this initiative gains momentum and that more schools will participate in the years to come.

Submitted by: Chantal Chevalier, Healthy Living Facilitator

This is an opportunity for an outstanding person or group of people to be recognized for their amazing accomplishments this past year. We invite you to submit your nomination today!

Quality Service Awards are offered in recognition of the extraordinary achievements and contributions of employees who extend their efforts beyond the day-to-day performance of duties by sharing their gifts of compassion, patience, kindness and professionalism with clients Employee Recognition ORG.1511.PL.009 Page 4 of 6 and colleagues. The awards are presented to nominees/recipients from region’s sites/programs/services.

The CEO Career Achievement Award honours a Southern Health-Santé Sud employee or service provider with 25 years or more of continuous service, whose passion for their work, sustained positive attitude and high personal ethic has earned them the greatest respect of their peers. The employee or service provider will have made significant contributions to Southern Health-Santé Sud within the scope of their position(s) and fostered wellness in the workplace.

The Service Excellence Team Award recognizes a team of Southern Health-Santé Sud employees or service providers for their commitment to excellence and exceptional performance as well as demonstrated achievement in transforming the patient experience. The nomination can reflect the work of more than the past year.

Deadline: June 30, 2024

See nomination forms for the different awards.

Submitted by: Human Resources

First SIEN Recruits Begin Work in Manitoba

Health Sciences Centre, Northern Spirit Manor, Concordia Hospital, and Northern Lights Manor have all welcomed SIENs during the month of April. More SIENs are expected to arrive throughout May and into the summer.

PRI Recruits Highlighted in Filipino News

Gwen Lay Bico arrived in Manitoba with her family in December to begin work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. Discover more about her journey as reported by ABS-CBN News in the Philippines (link):

“The registered nurse from Manila said she still could not believe that she is now working in Canada, and how she was even able to bring her husband and three children with her. Bico said the whole application process, from interviews, exams and assessments in the Philippines – up to the time she arrived and started her training in Winnipeg, was smooth.”

Additional Travel Expense Reimbursement Education

Two new videos are available to provide PRI-related employees with additional support (for WRHA/SH staff / for all others). They cover the critical steps required to streamline reimbursement—navigating through submitting receipts, filling out claim forms, and understanding company policies. Chapter markers are included allowing staff to jump to specific topics of interest (e.g., non-eligible expenses).

While these videos are distributed by the SH Talent Acquisition Team as part of the onboarding process, please share where you see the opportunity to reinforce this important process.

First PRI Recruits Granted Permanent Residency Status

We are now receiving notification that some of our PRI recruits who are actively working, have received permanent residency. Canadian permanent residents can work and study in Canada without permits or restrictions. Communication will be forthcoming related to these changes and the impact on the employee and employer.

Candidate Arrival Rates Continue to Grow

The PRI has now surpassed the 50% arrived milestone with 82 candidates now working, and 78 more to arrive. 

The program welcomed 14 candidates in the last six weeks, with eight arrivals in the last two weeks alone! It is exciting to be welcoming new members of our health care teams and we know that they are being welcomed with open arms in their new workplaces and communities!

Based on the latest predictive analysis, we continue to monitor and adjust arrival estimates. An estimated 73 candidates are forecasted to arrive in the next six months, with potential for a busy September:

Looking to earlier stages in the candidate journey, we continue to see progress.

Overall, the average immigration journey from retainer signature to arrival is 162 days for HCAs and 183 days IENs. We are looking at areas where we can continue to improve our processes to support candidate arrivals.

PMH Welcomes its Newest Arrivals

Prairie Mountain Health has warmly welcomed 18 Filipino health care workers, recruited as part of PRI. Read more about this region’s latest arrivals.

Submitted by: Erin Lussier, Shared Health

Jodi McLean, Resource Coordinator Specialist has been with Southern Health-Santé Sud for 27 years.

What Jodi likes most about her job

I love the fact that I am getting to meet and know new people all the time. I also find it rewarding that I am able to work with our Home Care team to help enable people to reside in their homes safely longer and give their loved ones the peace of mind that they are being cared for. I also enjoy the fact that every day can be a whole new journey as Home Care is ever changing.

What truly matters to Jodi in the work she does each day

That all of our home care attendants treat their clients as they would want their own loved ones treated. And… I hope to make things a little easier and more efficient in the offices for the resource coordinators and scheduling clerks.

We want to hear from you!
Please take a moment to share What Matters to You by completing an online form.

A floor made of gym mats, some hoops, cones and a crawling tunnel combine to make the perfect obstacle course for Carla Peters’ pediatric physiotherapy session. With a few play-based materials, children complete the course, all while working on basic skills like balance, mobility and strength.

“Following a child’s lead means we have to be creative and spontaneous in finding ways that we can somehow fit a little bit of our agenda into the child’s needs while they lead us through play,” described Carla Peters, Pediatric Physiotherapist at Boundary Trails Health Centre.

With twenty-five years’ experience, Peters finds creative ways to provide patient-centered care daily to help her younger patients thrive and reach their full potential.

“You usually have to be one step ahead, or in my case, crawl on the floor or swing in swings,” explained Peters with a smile. “The more playful it is, the more willing they are to try and push themselves and that’s where the rehabilitation happens.”

Manitoba is proud to celebrate Physiotherapy month, a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of physiotherapists and raise awareness about the importance of physical therapy in promoting the health and well-being of individuals, including children, in our communities.

As a pediatric physiotherapist, Peters assesses and treats young patients who live in Winkler, Morden and surrounding communities, from newborns to as old as twenty-one. Peters sees patients with a wide range of conditions, from developmental delays to neurological and musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Working with the pediatric population, her role spans more than just the physical aspects of physiotherapy, they include supporting the child’s overall development including social and sensory needs.

“I’m continually inspired by the resilience and boundless potential of the children I work with,” shared Peters. “Being able to play a role in enhancing their quality of life and witnessing their joy as they achieve developmental milestones and participate in activities they love – is incredibly fulfilling.”

Peters adds that she too enjoys the games and obstacle courses she designs for her patients, exercising alongside them at work.

Peters’ passion for the job is fueled by the impact of her work. She has witnessed children’s determination first-hand, helping them achieve milestones like a first step after a lower body amputation or participate in extra-curricular activities.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a fulfilling and active life,” shared Peters. “I have a deeply rooted passion for helping people become the best version of themselves. I’ve always been an encourager and like to be active so this profession is the perfect fit for me.”

Peters works with a team of specialists, including speech language pathologists, audiologists, occupational therapists and rehabilitation assistants. This interdisciplinary team works very closely with families, child development workers, school staff and the rest of the child’s health care team to support them in their journey.

“Working together as a team has made this type of work extra rewarding,” shared Peters. “Especially when it comes to having the stamina and energy to work with kiddos, together we have come up with a library of creative ways to get them to do things they wouldn’t normally do but are beneficial for their progress.”

Peters’ impact extends beyond the walls of Boundary Trails Health Centre, with opportunities to travel and treat kids within their schools, homes and communities, including rural and First Nation communities.

“I’ve learned so much by travelling and meeting new people in different communities. I’ll never be finished learning because there’s always new information and research out there,” explained Peters, who is also part of a clinical best practice group where physiotherapists from across Manitoba meet monthly to exchange ideas and collaborate on innovative care. “You never really arrive. If you can continue to learn both professionally and personally, the rewards are immeasurable.”

Submitted by: Shared Health

Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation along with over forty volunteers pitched in to decorate and deliver 25,000 cookies during the 2024 Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign in the Winkler and Morden area.

The fundraiser brought in over $40,000 in funds that will directly benefit Foundation efforts such as the purchase of medical equipment and spiritual and palliative care programs at Boundary Trails Health Centre.

Happy National Nursing Week | Bonne semaine nationale des soins infirmiers

A story of gratitude from local La Broquerie family

As Lilia, Stephane and big brother Liam – welcome Noah Martin Tétrault to the world this Spring, they share words of gratitude to their nurse at Bethesda Regional Health Centre.

From triage and delivery to postpartum – Megan Wiebe, a nurse of four years, was by Lilia and Steph’s side throughout their labour and delivery journey. Lilia shares “Megan’s care throughout our entire stay at Bethesda was unbelievable. I am truly appreciative! This has left us with a great story to share with others.”

Megan, says “I always knew I wanted to be a labour and delivery nurse – and I am so happy I chose to go ahead with this career!” One of Megan’s favorite things about being a nurse is “to teach patients about what is happening with their bodies”, she says.

Steph and Lilia appreciate the time Megan spent teaching them throughout labour and delivery. “Our experience was incredible – Megan took the time to explain to us all of the procedures! It was so clear to us that she is very passionate about what she does. She made sure we understood all of the different options and helped us make the right decisions to ensure we were comfortable from beginning to end”, says Lilia Tétrault.

Megan spent all of her nursing career with Southern Health-Santé Sud since graduating from her program. She says “I really enjoy the rural aspect of my job! I love the feeling of contributing to my community – it is so rewarding”.

On this National Nursing Week – May 6-12, 2024, please take the time to thank our incredible nursing staff!

Thank you to all of our nurses, and welcome to the world baby Noah!

Building Trust at Boundary Trails Health Centre – Dialysis nursing offers continuity of care

One of the beautiful things about dialysis nursing is that we have the privilege of connecting with our patients and their families on a deeper level. Seeing them three times a week allows us to form relationships, build trust and care for them more holistically, often discovering issues sooner and finding solutions to their medical problems faster. – Tanya Blatz, Clinical Resource Nurse, Dialysis Unit, BTHC

As a young woman Tanya Blatz considered many careers, and among her top choices were dietitian, teacher, or nurse – like her mom. She didn’t know it then, but years later Blatz would discover a job that encompassed all of those roles.

The role of a dialysis nurse includes nursing, educating patients on their kidney conditions and treatments, and extensive instruction on the strict and complex dietary requirements of dialysis patients, commonly known as the “dialysis diet.”

Dialysis nursing was a perfect fit for Blatz and for the last seven years she has worked as the clinical resource nurse for the dialysis unit at Boundary Trails Health Centre (BTHC), overseeing the unit’s staff and acting as a medical hub for the health centre’s dialysis patients.

 “I do anything and everything on the unit including organizing specialty appointments for our patients, attending the weekly nephrology rounds, collaborating with other members of the medical team like social workers, pharmacists, dietitians and even troubleshooting the dialysis machines when they break down,” said Blatz. “I have a wide spectrum of work in this role and I absolutely love it.”

Access News/Sharing Our Stories for complete story 

Submitted by: Carolyn Friesen, BTHC