January 22, 2015

• A patient’s journey

• New Strength of Our People story

• Leader Post Foundation Education Fund

• Research Showcase 2015

Donated lift chairs benefit patients Two electric lift chairs were purchased through a fundraiser and private donations in memory of Donald Ackerman. Ackerman was a much-loved patient of the Ambulatory Care Infusion Clinic at the Pasqua Hospital.

A tea was held for the family and staff on December 17, 2014, when the chairs arrived in Ambulatory Care.

The Infusion Clinic staff sincerely thank the Ackerman family and friends for this amazing and generous gift. The donated chairs provide much needed relaxation and comfort during patient’s stay. The lift ability of the chairs also makes getting up safer and easier for the patients who have decreased mobility and strength.

From left to right, back row: Deanna Belanger, Registered Nurse; Jo Nelson, Ambulatory Care Coordinator; Terri Leniczek, Unit Support Worker; Shelagh Meisner, Registered Nurse; Darlene Massine, Registered Nurse; Karen Wyatt, Registered Nurse; Donna Ackerman; Ashley Parrell, Office Administration Assistant; and Pam Lavoie, Registered Nurse. Front row: Kim Matechuk, Unit Support Worker; Leslie Bearss, Registered Nurse; Ashley Ackerman, and Kirk Ackerman. Photo Credit: Medical Media Services.

The Infusion Clinic staff

sincerely thank the

Ackerman family and

friends for this amazing

and generous gift.

Special bouquet: a patient’s journey

Janu

ary

22, 2

015

- pag

e 2

In early June 2014, Dorian Fortier was diagnosed with what was either Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) or the chronic version known as Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP).

GBS is an acute form of polyneuritis, often preceded by a respiratory infection causing weakness and often paralysis of the limbs. CIDP is a neurological disorder, characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms. Both GBS and CIDP are rare diseases: there is a one in 100,000 chance of getting GBS and one in 2.3 million chance of getting CIDP. His symptoms have made it impossible to determine which disease he has.

“This has been quite the journey of recovery at both the Regina General Hospital and the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre. Part of what’s helped me is chronicling my progress on a daily basis. I decided to create a video that shows how much I’ve progressed, and I wanted to share my story with others who are struggling. I want people to know that they should never give up on their challenges,” said Fortier.

Fortier cites that his number one drive to achieve recovery has been his supportive wife, family and friends. He also kept a diary of all the things he accomplished each day and had goals for each week.

“I wrote three positive items each day in my diary, and my mantra was ’I am getting stronger and stronger in every way, every day.’”

Along with Fortier’s positive attitude, he says that Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region staff were a big part of his healthy recovery.

“All the staff at the Regina General Hospital and Wascana Rehabilitation Centre were really positive and caring, especially

considering the fact that I had a disease that people have very little knowledge about,” explains Fortier. “They always listened to my needs and talked to me when I was having a hard time. They kept on being positive and cheered when I accomplished things that seemed impossible weeks before. I would give the staff a 10 out of 10 for being supportive throughout my journey and even today.”

After seven months of recovery, and physical and occupational therapy, Fortier returned to work at Graham Construction as a project/construction manager on a graduated back-to-work plan in January 2015. He hopes to return to regular work hours by the end of March.

“The main goal of my video is to inspire people going through medical challenges to never give-up, work hard and stay positive. People have to be patient with GBS/CIPD because it affects patients both physically and mentally.”

He believes that with hard work, positivity and good care, you can make your goals a reality.

Watch Fortier’s recovery journey video at http://youtu.be/xU4fz7UbhjQ.

bouquet

Dor

ian

Fort

ier

New Corporate wall walk video now online The Corporate Business Plan Wall tracks organizational progress towards the annual initiatives in the 2014/2015 Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR) Business Plan. The January 20 wall walk video is on the Region’s YouTube channel, http://youtu.be/W1VA81A34RU, and the Region’s intranet site, http://rhdintranet/rqhr/StrategicFramework/Corporate/CorporateVisibilityWall.htm.

You are encouraged to attend this and other wall walks in the RQHR. Corporate wall walks start right at 8:15 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Wall walk schedules can be found on the Lean website at www.rqhrlean.com/huddles.html.

Skate 4 SmilesSkate-a-thon

March 29, 2:30-4:30 p.m.Registration: 1:30 p.m.

Communiskate Rink201 Great Plains Rd, Emerald ParkProceeds to the Children’s Hospital

Foundation of Saskatchewan in memory of Dawson Ellert.

www.skate4smiles.webs.com

Janu

ary

22, 2

015

- pag

e 3

New Strength of Our People storyThe “Strength of Our People” series features stories of compassion and care by Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region staff.

These brief reflections of “everyday miracles” demonstrate commitment to excellence by transforming values into action. The stories told by staff are not only inspiring and encouraging but acknowledge those whose actions made special memories for others.

We know many of you have similar special memories, and we invite you to share them through the Strength of Our People series which features a new story every six weeks.

If you have a story, contact Sharon Metz at 306-766-5230 for details. View this story at www.rqhealth.ca/inside/about_us/strength_people/.

e-link is published weekly by the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region. We welcome submissions. Please submit items no later than two weeks before publication. Submissions are subject to the editorial guidelines of e-link. For more information, contact Communications at 306-766-5227 or email elink@rqhealth.ca.

© Copyright 2015Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region

safeTALK suicide alertness sessionssafeTALK helps create suicide safer communities.

safeTALK is a half day training session for everyone in the community that is designed to ensure that persons with thoughts of suicide are connected to helpers who are prepared to provide first aid interventions.

safeTALK is designed to be used in organizations and communities that already have ASIST-trained caregivers.

February 186 - 9 p.m.

Randall Kinship Centre1680 Albert Street

Free admissionFor more information, contact Brenda Dubois,

safeTALK Facilitator, at 306-766-6693.Dubois is also willing to host a safeTALK session at your site pending on the number of people who will attend.

Promote your event on Business BoardIf you’re raising funds for a good cause, you can promote the event on the Public Service Announcements section of the RQHR Business Board (http://rhdintranet/ultimate/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi). Send your request to communications@rqhealth.ca. All requests will be reviewed for suitability before publishing.

Janu

ary

22, 2

015

- pag

e 4

Leader Post Foundation Education FundThe Leader-Post Foundation Education Fund was established to advance the education, training and development of staff at the Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care at the Regina General Hospital through a gift of $100,000 made to the Hospitals of Regina Foundation. The Rawlco Centre includes the following units: Labour and Birth, Neonatal Intensive Care, Mother Baby, Fetal Assessment and the Rawlco Centre Hostel.

The funds can be used for:• Attendance at conferences and workshops;• Bringing presenters or educators into the Regina Qu’Appelle

Health Region;• Virtual workshops (WebEx, webinar); and• Other educational opportunities.

Two calls for applications will be made each year with the due dates of January 30 and September 15.

For details and application forms, contact your Rawlco Centre Manager or Sarah Bzdel, Women’s & Children’s Health Administrative Assistant, at 306-766-3285 or email sarah.bzdel@rqhealth.ca.

RQHR Psychiatry Grand Rounds Psychiatric

Manifestations in the Peripartum Period

Presenter: TBATuesday, January 27

12 noon - 1 p.m. Rooms 7 & 8, RGH and

2110 Hamilton StreetPre-registration required for all sessions.

To register, call 306-766-3400 or email telehealth@rqhealth.ca.

Forward all other inquiries to the Telehealth co-ordinators at

306-766-3376 or 306-766-3377.