July 23, 2024

Virtual Pre-Arrival Session Success

The PRI settlement team introduced Virtual Pre-Arrival Sessions this past Spring, providing settlement information and answering candidate questions all in one place.

Sessions are offered to those candidates who are soon to arrive and include valuable information about living in Canada. Newcomers learn about everything from taxation, renting, banking, cell phone providers, dressing for our climate, driver licensing and even using car seats. We have received great feedback that these sessions help make the transition smoother, and attendees appreciate the on-camera presence of our team members.

Clinical Team Manager’s Playbook Updated

The PRI Clinical Team Manager’s Playbook has been a vital resource for HR and clinical managers as they prepare for their new hires. The Playbook has been updated to include information on the following:

• Information about permanent residency
• IEN/UNE clinical skills checklist information (as part of their nursing re-entry program requirements)
• SIEN bridging education information

First PRI Evaluation Quarterly Interim Report Released

The evaluation aims to measure expected benefits associated with PRI. SDOs have completed their initial round of data collection and the PRI team has analyzed and reported valuable post-arrival data. Key expected benefits are related to:

• Recruitment for each of the participating SDOs
• Training the PRI new hires with provincially coordinated orientation and providing bridge education that enables nursing licensure within Manitoba
• Employment retention and successfully settling in Manitoba

The overall goal of this evaluation is to enable informed decision making for future international professional health care provider recruitment, training, and retention initiatives.

Highlights from the first report:

Candidate Arrival Rates Continue to Grow

The PRI has now reached a milestone of 70% arrived, with 102 candidates now working and 46 more to arrive.

The program welcomed 13 candidates in the last six weeks, with 11 arrivals so far in the month of July, and two more expected on July 30. 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.

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

Overall, the average immigration journey from immigration lawyer retainer signature to arrival is 175 days for HCAs and 198 days for IENs.

Building Friendships at the Grace Hospital

At the Grace Hospital, management was excited to welcome their PRI new arrival to the unit 3North. Nur-Fadzilah (Fadz) Anyaman was buddied-up with a mentor, Donna Nuez, a Filipino nurse who had been working in the unit for almost two years. Donna was quick to support Fadz, not only in the workplace, but also personally, knowing herself the many challenges of immigrating to a new country. Their friendship continues to grow inside and outside of the workplace.  

At a Glance

• Virtual Pre-Arrival Session Success
• Clinical Team Manager’s Playbook Updated
• First PRI Evaluation Quarterly Interim Report Released
• Candidate Arrivals Rates Continue to Grow
• Building Friendships at The Grace Hospital

Inquiries

Questions on specific activities? Contact the workstream leads:

Clinical Competence Assessment (RN, LPN)
Lisa Merrill

Bridge Education (RN, LPN)
Lisa Merrill

Hiring and Shared Health Immigration Activities
Shelby Turman

Settlement, Onboarding, and Orientation Community Settlement & HR
Shelby Turman

Clinical
Lisa Merrill

Communications
Olivia Baldwin or

GoM Intergovernmental Affairs
Sean Hogan
John Simba

GoM Immigration (RN, LN, HCA)
Natalia Hnydyuk
Crystal Everett

Submitted by: Erin Lussier, Shared Health

with Jane Curtis, CEO

As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, it’s time for us to embrace the spirit of summer and take a well-deserved break. While the work we do in health care does not pause over summer, I encourage you to lean into your teams and work together to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to unplug, recharge and soak up the sun this summer!

Summertime is the perfect opportunity make some lasting memories with your family and friends. Embrace the outdoors and those activities that nourish your soul and clear your mind. Give your brains a chance to rest and prioritize your physical and mental health. Allowing yourself the opportunity to embrace self-care will not only improve your well-being, but it may just lead to a breakthrough idea or a more efficient approach to tackling challenges at home or work. At a minimum you may notice that you return to work with renewed energy.

So, as we embark on this summer season, I encourage each and every one of you to take full advantage of this time to unplug, recharge and prioritize your well-being. Whether you’re planning a grand adventure or simply enjoying a lazy day in the backyard, make the most of these precious moments and come back to work feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Thank you for your continued commitment and dedication to the work you do here at Southern Health Santé Sud. Wishing you all a wonderful summer filled with sunshine, relaxation and joy!

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? 

To learn more, please access the Southern Health-Santé Sud Strategic Health Plan 

The first 25 people to respond via email will win a pair of tickets to the Blue Bombers game in Winnipeg on July 5^th, 2024.

Must be available to attend. Cost for transportation not included.

Submitted by: Quality, Planning & Performance

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.

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

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
• Read the history of residential schools:
  • Survivor’s stories
  • The 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report
• Listen to First Nations, Inuit and Métis through their own voices, created by Indigenous people:
  • Read a book
  • Watch a film or video
  • Listen to music
  • Listen to a podcast
• Watch APTN showcasing:
  • Indigenous artists
  • Comedians
  • Documentaries
• Check out your local Friendship Centre, Manitoba Métis Federation website, or The Forks in Winnipeg
• Wear orange in support of “Every Child Matters”. It is not just for September 30th, you can show your allyship anytime.
• Visit a museum:
  • The National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada which is located within the former Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School and on Long Plain Keeshkeemaquah Urban Reserve https://nirsmuseum.ca/#
  • The Inuit art display at the Winnipeg Art Gallery (which houses the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world with over 13,000 works)
  • Visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg
• 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

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.

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

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.

Session Date

• Tuesday, June 18, 12:00 pm

Rebroadcasts

• Thursday, June 20, 3:00 pm
• Sunday, June 23, 8:00 pm
• Tuesday, June 25, 12:00 pm

Submitted by:  Communications