One of our regional priorities at Southern Health-Santé Sud (SH-SS) is about creating a positive experience. How does the work your team does each day contribute to a positive experience for patients or co-workers?
The first 25 people to respond via email will win a pair of tickets to the Blue Bombers game in Winnipeg on July 5th, 2024.
Must be available to attend. Cost for transportation not included.
Submitted by: Quality, Planning & Performance
Pride Month
We are committed to working toward an environment that disrupts hateful and harmful behaviors and creates a more inclusive experience. Please visit Shared Health website for stories, resources and more.
Connecting through Human Acts of Courage, Kindness and Empathy
Doretta Harris is Regional Lead of Indigenous Health in Southern Health-Santé Sud and has spent the past 15 years of her career building relationships and health programs intended to improve health care experiences, and ultimately, health outcomes for Indigenous people and communities.
“My life experiences as a First Nations woman have helped to shape who I am, clarified my priorities, and made me stronger and more resilient; but these experiences have also made me more compassionate toward others who face challenges and health disparities,” said Harris.
“Building an equitable and just health care system that is inclusive and better meets the needs of Indigenous people requires us to place a focus on equity, address and collaboratively work to eliminate racism, increase opportunities for Indigenous peoples to become a part of our health system’s workforce, respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and embed cultural safety in all that we do.”
Within Southern Health-Santé Sud, achieving the organization’s vision of healthier people, healthier communities, thriving together can only be realized when work is done collaboratively, Harris explained.
“Honouring the Blurring the Lines Health Partnership Agreement, offering culturally appropriate health services inclusive of smudge ceremonies and language interpreters, increasing Indigenous representation across all levels of our organization, and providing education and training for non-Indigenous health providers and staff are all key to achieving cultural safety,” Harris added.
Bringing learnings and experience from her past roles across the health system, Harris now leads a regional team responsible for Indigenous partnerships and community engagement, the development and implementation of cultural safety education and training, as well as Indigenous employment and internship programs to increase the representation of Indigenous people in the health workforce.
“As an Indigenous person, I’m determined to continue to work towards improving health care experiences and health outcomes for Indigenous people. That means working with health providers and staff, Indigenous communities, Indigenous-led organizations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and many other stakeholders. We all have a place and a role and a responsibility to work together to make things better for Indigenous peoples,” said Harris.
Several of Southern Health-Santé Sud’s Indigenous Health programs and initiatives have been nationally recognized as Innovative and Leading Practices with Accreditation Canada, accomplishment made – and sustained – through partnerships and collaboration with Indigenous peoples, for Indigenous peoples and communities.
“My various roles in the health care system have provided me a unique view of connecting through human acts of courage, kindness and empathy,” said Harris. “It’s both humbling and fulfilling to know that I have been given the privilege of being part of these kind and courageous acts.”
Southern Health-Santé Sud Indigenous Health will continue to widen their circle to include Indigenous peoples and communities, to collaborate on efforts and share knowledge that will improve the health system, patient care experiences, and ultimately, health outcomes for Indigenous people and communities, she added.
Southern Health-Santé Sud strives to build cultural capacity that is integrated across the region’s programs and services. Together with Indigenous peoples and communities, Southern Health-Santé Sud is committed to working towards building a culturally appropriate and culturally safe health care system for everyone. For more information on SH-SS Indigenous Health visit Indigenous Health.
Submitted by: Doretta Harris, Regional Lead Indigenous Health
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada: Participate, Learn & Support
National Indigenous History Month is an opportunity for all Canadians to learn about diverse cultures, traditions and the rich history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. Canada’s House of Commons designated June as National Indigenous History Month in 2009, encouraging Canadians to learn more about Canada’s First Peoples.
June 21 is National Indigenous People Day and Summer Solstice. This is a time to honour the stories, achievements and contributions of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial.
Join us and participate in learning about the many cultural activities and events that will take place in our region, our province and across Canada this month:
Ways to participate:
Engage in meaningful dialogue and build connections with Indigenous peoples and communities, such as joining in cultural celebrations such as a pow wow
And connect with nature – these are just a few ways to support and participate
If you’re interested in showing your participation or sharing your learning journey with fellow colleagues at Southern Health-Santé Sud connect with Human Resources via email. You are encouraged to share your photos and/or testimonials.
Submitted by: Indigenous Health & Human Resources
What Matters to You | Staff Highlights
Heidi Donohoe
Heidi Donohoe, Infection Prevention & Control has been with Southern Health-Santé Sud for 28 years.
What Heidi likes most about her job
Working with people
Investigating
Providing new ideas and insight into real work issues
What truly matters to Heidi in the work she does each day
To be respected
To collaborate on issues
To make an impact
We want to hear from you! Please take a moment to share What Matters to You by completing an online form.
French Connection – Summer Fun! | Plaisirs d’été!
Summer is a great time to learn French! L’été est un temps idéale pour apprendre le français!
Use these free apps – right at your fingertips! Utilisez ces applis gratuites – disponibles du bout des doigts!
We want to thank everyone who participated in Mental Health Week activities this year!
We had 346 SH-SS entries for the BINGO challenge. A big congratulations goes out to the winners of the $100 gift cards: Christine Turnbull, Nicole Zaragosa, and Jackie Laviolette. Why not keep mental health BINGO going? Save the mental health bingo card strategies (in your desk, on your computer or bulletin board) and add good mental health all year round.
Also, a big thank-you to comedian Matt Falk who has us laughing all through lunch, and Dr. Jeremiah Buhler who reminded us how to care for ourselves in the midst of the important work we do.
Your feedback is important to us, and here are some of the thoughts you shared:
“Love this idea – I’ll continue to do more of these (bingo suggestions) as the weeks go on”
“I particularly enjoyed the exercise involving reflection and writing down good things about the day. Thank you!
“Loved it – ideas that were simple to add into my day, but very effective in helping me feel relaxed”
“I started a drawing class 2 weeks ago for trying something new, and I love it”
“Had lunch with a coworker that I have been meaning to catch up with forever – this was our prompt to make it work”
“Thank you! The Matt Falk comedy hour was super fun!”
“These small things make a big impact”
We all have mental health – so take good care of yours. See you next year!
Submitted by: Mental Health Week Planning Committee – SH-SS Public Health-Healthy Living, SH-SS Mental Health & Addictions, Eden Health Care Services
Staff Wellness & Health Booster Sessions
Shared Health Mental Health & Addictions Library
In recent years, we’ve all faced workplace, home and social life adjustments, which can be overwhelming.
To support health system workers, Mental Health & Addictions, Shared Health, has organized Staff Wellness and Health Booster Sessions featuring timely topics like stress management and self-care, designed to fit busy schedules, with recorded sessions available as a streaming video on demand.
Session Description:
The Mental Health & Addictions, Shared Health Library is the most comprehensive information source for substance use/misuse, gambling and related issues in Manitoba. The library offers up-to-date, reliable information on issues, trends and research in the addictions and mental health field. Located at 1031 Portage Avenue, the library is open to all staff and members of the public. They also have a collection of on-line resources available. The presentation will look at the many health and wellness resources available in the library and how to access their collection of physical and on-line resources.
Summer is almost here which means, it’s time to get together and celebrate you, our amazing Southern Health-Santé Sud employees. You’re invited to your local Employee Appreciation Luncheon – for a free lunch, on us!
There will be sixteen (16) host sites throughout the region. All Southern Health-Santé Sud employees, including regional sites and community service programs, will be invited to join their respective host sites. Some sites are hosting in June and others in the Fall.
Individual posters and invitations will be sent to staff directly. Please attend your respective host site luncheon. Additional information will be available within your facility soon. Stay tuned!
Please connect with your manager should you have any questions.
Submitted by: Manager of Nutrition and Food Services and Recruitment & Retention Officer
Congratulations to All 2024 Graduates
As the graduation season approaches, we want to extent our heartfelt congratulations to all Southern Health-Santé Sud employees who are graduating or who have loved ones graduating from high school or post-secondary institutions in the upcoming weeks! We are proud of you and your loved ones’ achievements and excited for the bright futures that lie ahead for everyone.
Please join us in congratulating all 2024 graduates!
