***Pictured:*** *Katrin Olarte, second from left, Jeffrey Olarte and 2-year-old daughter, Kristelle, with Chandel Bailey-Morrison (middle).* Shared Health representatives- Roselyn Garcia and Jhunell De Rivera

PMH Philippine Recruitment Update

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) warmly welcomed four more new Filipino health-care workers, some with family members, who were recruited earlier as part of Manitoba’s Philippines Recruitment Initiative earlier this year. The new arrivals landed at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport on November 28. They were understandably tired but excited for the next steps in their journey. Here’s some additional background on Prairie Mountain Health region’s newest residents.

Jay-ar Felipe is an internationally educated nurse who will be working at Dauphin Regional Health Centre as an Undergraduate Nurse Employee – Internationally Educated Nurse until such time gap training is complete as full licensure as a Registered Nurse is obtained.

Ruth Navarro will be working as a health care aide at Rideau Personal Care Home, Brandon. Ruth is arriving with her husband, Joey, and 7-year-old boy, Ethan. Ruth, excitedly, will be reunited with her sister, who lives in Brandon.

**Pictured:** Lisa Merrill, Provincial Nursing Practice Lead, Kris Reynon (Michelle’s husband), Chandel Bailey-Morrison (DRHC Care Team Manager), Jay-ar Felipe, Michelle Reynon, a new recruit (unknown name for another health region, Ruth Navarro, Monika Warren, Chief Operating Officer for Provincial Health Services, Joey Navarro (Ruth’s husband) and Ethan Navarro (Ruth & Joey’s son).

Michelle Reynon will be employed as a health care aide at Swan River Lodge. Michelle is arriving with her husband, Dan.

Katrin Olarte will be employed as a health care aide at Westman Nursing Home in Virden. Katrin will be arriving with her husband, Jeffrey and 2-year-old daughter, Kristelle.

“We’re very pleased to welcome these recruits and their family members to Manitoba and our health care region!” stated Brian Schoonbaert, CEO of Prairie Mountain Health.”

“We know our staff, community partners and stakeholders will go that extra mile to make their arrival and settling process as smooth as possible!”

Larissa Kominko, PMH Recruitment Manager, says members of regional care teams volunteered their time to assist and welcome the new arrivals to PMH.

“Thank you to Chandel Bailey-Morrison, Amanda Watts, Vicky Ketch and Amanda Campbell, who are graciously helping with the arrival, settlement and orientation of the Philippines recruits to our province and the region. We depend and sincerely appreciate their willingness to help,” Kominko added.

**Pictured:** Jay-ar Felipe arrives at Winnipeg International Airport and is greeted by Chandel Bailey Morrison, Care Team Manager of Dauphin Regional Health Centre.

PMH is already working on its next arrivals, which will be welcomed to Minnedosa, Neepawa, and Russell throughout December and January.

*Felipe gets into the spirit of the unusually warm weather when arriving in Dauphin.*

Food, Family and Traditions

Food is part of celebrations across the globe. Regardless of culture or religion food is part of our cultural identity and has a way to strengthen bonds within our own families and our community , helping us to connect with one another.

To celebrate the diversity of our community, bring awareness to the importance of food celebrations and family traditions in our lives, we encourage you to take time this holiday season to enjoy a family meal together, involve family member’s in the preparation of a family meal and discuss why eating with others is important.

Here are some discussion questions you may want to explore over the winter holiday break with your child:

What are our family favourite foods?
What family mealtime or food traditions do we have to help celebrate special occasions? (Christmas? Birthdays? Weddings?)
What is the role of food in families and their traditions?
Is there a new meal time tradition that we could create in our family? If so what would it be?

The best part of any holiday is enjoying the opportunity to connect with family and friends. If you feel some of the holiday traditions need a refresh, re-imagine the holiday with a new tradition and enjoy!!

Here is a tasty recipe to try this holiday season!

Texas Caviar

Brine:
1/2c sugar
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1/2c oil
3/4c vinegar

Vegetables:
1 yellow pepper, 1 red pepper, 1 orange pepper, 1c celery, 1/4 of a 4oz jar of jalapenos (chopped)
1 can corn
1 can black beans
1 can chickpeas

Directions:

1) Make brine- add sugar, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, oil & vinegar in sauce pot; bring to a boil & cool
2) Finely chop vegetables & add these to the brine along with the 1 can corn, 1 can black beans & 1 can chick peas.
3) Stir all together & refrigerate overnight.

Serve with taco chips, over rice or place filling into a lettuce leaf and enjoy!

PMH CEO extends warm wishes for the holiday season

November 2024

It’s hard to believe we are less than a month away from the holiday season and the start of 2024! The mild weather has certainly masked the countdown to the holidays. This ‘El Nino’ climate effect has undoubtedly flipped the script weather-wise. Here’s hoping the nice weather continues and we still get a white Christmas!

Since announcing my intention to retire in April 2024, it’s given me pause to realize this will be my last festive season message to you as CEO of Prairie Mountain Health. I think back to a few years ago, around this time, when we were still deeply mired in the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it seems like a blur now, it was a difficult time for everyone. Each of us had to navigate through that intense and strenuous time, though we continue to feel its impacts to this day! Thankfully, we are not in such difficult pandemic circumstances right now, though we continue to experience COVID and respiratory outbreaks at several of our sites.

We have many facilities that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I greatly appreciate the staff that provides care over the holidays. Many times, our staff are the ones who are there to lend an extra hand and extra ear to those who are in our hospitals, personal care homes and the community and are not able to be with their families during the holidays.

Our tremendous staff continue to give of themselves and do what they do best ‘all year long’ — provide quality care to the people we serve. We really can’t say thank you enough! We know residents within our health region remain incredibly grateful for the dedication, commitment, and compassion you bring to work with you every day!

When considering visitation at our sites, if an ‘in-person’ visit isn’t possible, PMH encourages families to consider providing a personal device, such as a cell phone or iPad, to their family member that allows for a direct connection. You can also let health centre patients and personal care home residents know you are thinking of them by visiting the PMH website and filling out the “well wishes” information. By making this well wishes request, it will be delivered directly to the person on your behalf. A direct link can be found here.

For those who have lost loved ones or for those facing other stressors and challenges, the holiday season is an extremely difficult time of year. Prairie Mountain Health provides mental health services and support for those in need. We all have mental health, and we have to continue to make our well-being a priority. Remember, ‘that if you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to take time for illness.’ To learn about the available resources and supports, please visit our website.

Here’s to a holiday season filled with love, happiness, fellowship and memories.

Decorating the tree, exchanging gifts, singing or listening to songs, celebrating traditions, watching heartwarming movies, enjoying a festive meal, playing games, volunteering —whichever ways you choose to celebrate or recognize this time of year —our wish is that you make it as enjoyable as it can be!

On behalf of the PMH Board, our Executive Management Team and our staff, we wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy holiday season and all the best in 2024.

Brian Schoonbaert, CEO
Prairie Mountain Health

Coping for December

It’s that time of the year again. Winter and the holiday season are upon us.

This holiday season can be a great time to reconnect with others, make family recipes for holiday dinners, and spread holiday cheer.

However, this time of the year can be very challenging: days are short with little daylight, finances get stretched to make holiday food and gift purchases, and routines change to attend holiday get-togethers.

So, how can we cope with these challenges during the holiday season?

There are a few suggestions on ways to cope during the busy holiday season^{1 2}:

Set boundaries and manage expectations– The holiday season can be busy and socially exhausting. To manage, you decide how the holiday season will look for you and delegate when you can.
Recharge your batteries – Attending personal and professional holiday gatherings can be tiring. Take time to rest after social gatherings and understand that attending (or not attending) holiday gatherings is up to you. You could also be feeling left out from these gatherings over the holidays as well; this can be an opportunity to volunteer, take care of yourself, and work on building your community.
Maintain healthy coping – The holidays can change routines and prevent you from using healthy coping. Try to maintain your healthy coping skills when it comes to eating, sleeping, and budgeting.
Acknowledge grieving loved ones – Attending holiday social gatherings surrounded by your community may leave you missing loved ones. Talk about lost loved ones, acknowledge missing your loved one, take care of yourself, and create traditions that include your lost loved one.

Resources Across PMH

PMH Employee Wellness Committee- The PMH Employee Wellness Committee promotes activities that keep employees well. Check out the webpage for information on celebrating our staff, healthcare worker recognition, Employee resources (Employee assistance plan, benefit plans, and BlueCross), and PMH Perks. Funding is also available through the PMH Employee Wellness Initiative. You can also send a coworker a token of appreciation for all they do by completing a Say It Card form.
Mental health resources- Seek mental health support if you need it. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the crisis lines. For adults north of Riding Mountain, dial 1- 866-332-3030 and south of Riding Mountain, dial 1-888-379-7699. If you are under 18, dial 1-866-332-3030 or in all PMH areas, dial 1-866-403-5459.
Grief recovery- Working through grief is not something you need to do alone. There are grief support groups and resources available across Prairie Mountain Health.
CBTm for Employees- If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed and want to build skills to help you manage these feelings, there is also a program called CBTm for employees.

Canadian Mental Health Association- British Columbia Division. (2023). 15 tips for holiday peace of mind and coping with grief this festive season. https://bc.cmha.ca/news/15-tips-for-holiday-peace-of-mind-and-coping-with-holiday-grief-this-festive-season/
Canadian Mental Health Association- National Site. (2023). Five ways to protect your mental health from holiday stress. https://cmha.ca/news/five-ways-to-protect-your-mental-health-this-holiday/

Brandon’s Dinsdale Personal Care Home transfers to Prairie Mountain Health

Following collaborative discussions with the provincial government and Prairie Mountain Health, The Salvation Army completed a formal transfer of Dinsdale Lodge Personal Care Home (PCH) to Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) effective November 10, 2023. The transfer, which was initiated by the Salvation Army, was fully endorsed by the PMH Board of Directors. The move further supports the Salvation Army’s shift in focus toward other programs and community needs in the Brandon area, which are in high demand.

“On behalf of our Board, management and staff, the PMH officially extends a very warm welcome to staff of the Dinsdale PCH,” stated Lon Cullen, Chair of the PMH Board of Directors. “For many years, The Salvation Army has been a valued partner in delivering long-term care services within the health region, and we sincerely thank them for that!” Cullen said.

Prairie Mountain Health CEO Brian Schoonbaert says the transfer doesn’t impact the day-to-day operations of Dinsdale PCH.

“We are pleased to support the transfer of Dinsdale PCH to Prairie Mountain Health and have reassured staff, residents and families that PMH remains committed to providing the same quality care that was previously provided under the direction and leadership of The Salvation Army,” Schoonbaert stated.

Located in Brandon, the 60-bed Dinsdale PCH previously had an affiliate (non-devolved) relationship with PMH, where the Salvation Army separately owned and operated the Home through a service purchase agreement.

The present Dinsdale PCH was constructed in 1984/1985. It’s named after two prominent Salvation supporters and activists: Walter Dinsdale, who was an MP for the Brandon area for 31 years, and George Dinsdale, who was Walter’s father. George Dinsdale was also a Mayor of Brandon and a local MLA.

Time for Turnips

Some people may confuse turnips and rutabagas. The confusing thing is, depending where you’re from, turnips might be called neeps, rutabagas, or swedes. The smaller, round, white and purple root vegetables are called “white turnips”, while the larger, round, yellow root vegetables are “turnips”, “rutabagas” or “swedes”. Rutabagas are a cross between a turnip and cabbage. White turnips and rutabagas have different flavours as well.

One of the great things about turnips is that both the greens on top and the root can be eaten. The greens have a similar flavor to mustard greens and are a rich source of vitamins K, A, C, and folate. The root has a high amount of water, with some carbohydrates and a moderate amount of vitamin C. Another great thing is that it is an incredibly versatile vegetable! Use turnips any way you use a potato, and then some! Try them baked, boiled, steamed, mashed, shredded, julienned, raw, roasted, and use the greens in any dish you would use cooked spinach or collard greens.

When buying white turnips, look for turnips that are small to medium in size, turnips that feel heavy for their size, and without soft spots or wrinkles. If the greens are still attached, look for fresh looking leaves. Unlike other root vegetables, turnips should be used up while they’re fresh, as they can turn bitter and woody with age. Peeling off the skin of white turnips is optional, but yellow rutabagas need to be peeled.

Try these delicious turnip recipes

Simple Roasted Turnips (Freezer-Friendly!) – Spend With Pennies

Pan-Roasted Turnips with Greens Recipe | Kardea Brown | Food Network

Honey-Glazed Turnips, Parsnips and Pearl Onions Recipe | Food Network Kitchen | Food Network

Sheet-Pan Curried Chicken and Root Vegetables Recipe | Food Network Kitchen | Food Network

PMH welcomes new Filipino health-care workers

*Treena Slate of Prairie Mountain Health, greets Shayne Salonga and Vicente Ganzon at Winnipeg International Airport October 31.*

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) warmly welcomed two new Filipino health-care workers recruited earlier this year as part of Manitoba’s Philippines Recruitment Initiative. Shayne Salonga and Vicente Ganzon arrived at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport on October 31, tired but excited for the next steps in their journey.

Salonga, a registered nurse (RN), will head to Russell to work at the Russell Health Centre. Ganzon, a health care aide (HCA), will relocate to Swan River to work in long-term care.

“Our government is working to build up health care teams, to improve patient care and achieve better work-life balance for front-line staff as part of our commitment to improve health care for all Manitobans,” stated Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long Term Care.

“Recruitment and retention are essential and we’re taking steps to make our health system a supportive and attractive place for skilled professionals to work. We’re pleased to welcome new nurses and health care aides from the Philippines and know they will quickly feel at home here.”

*Vicente Ganzon dons a Swan Valley Stampeders hockey jersey in Swan River.*

PMH expects to repeat the warm welcome offered to Ganzon and Salonga many times in the coming year as more skilled health-care workers and their families arrive from the Philippines destined for work in PMH communities that include Brandon, Dauphin, Ste. Rose, Hamiota, Hartney, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Russell, Swan River and Virden.

*Salonga looks over the spacious view in Russell*

“We’re very pleased to welcome Shayne and Vicente to Canada, Manitoba and our health care region!” stated Brian Schoonbaert, CEO of Prairie Mountain Health.”

“As they begin new chapters in their lives, it must be exciting in one sense and filled with some uncertainty in the next. We will work with our dedicated staff, health partners and stakeholders to ensure their transition and mentorship and the transition of other anticipated arrivals goes as smoothly as possible”.

“PMH is pleased to be part of efforts to recruit new health-care workers to Manitoba. Special thanks to Larissa Kominko, Recruitment Manager and Treena Slate, Regional Lead Acute Care and Chief Nursing Officer for their ongoing work to ensure these new members of our care teams are welcomed and oriented to our health system.”

International Day for People Impacted by Suicide Loss | Nov 18

Image by Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention

International Day for People Impacted by Suicide Loss (November 18th) is a day where people impacted by suicide loss, no matter where they live, can come together as communities to find and offer comfort and to remember their loved ones as they share stories of loss, healing, and hope.

For Brandon and the surrounding area, the Brandon Suicide Prevention Implementation Network (SPIN) has observed this day by collecting cards and having them on display. The cards hold messages commemorating a loved one who has died by suicide, and/or a message of hope to those that have been impacted by suicide loss.

This year, SPIN has attached a fillable card for members of our community to complete.

Once you have filled out your card and sent it back to [email protected], your message will be transferred onto a physical card and will join the display of cards that have been collected in the past.

The physical cards will be on display in the Health Studies Building at Brandon University the week of November 13^th.

Also watch our social media platforms for a video where the facilitators of the Brandon and Area Suicide Bereavement Support Group will share the completed board and read a few of the messages from the community.

You can find additional resources and virtual events on the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) website.

Follow Brandon SPIN on Facebook and Instagram for more information.

PMH Capital Construction Project Update

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) continues to move forward on several major construction and renovation projects in partnership with Manitoba Health and Shared Health. The following is a brief update as of November 1, 2023.

Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC)

Construction to expand and renovate clinical spaces within the BRHC campus is going well with work on the new Critical Care bed tower addition underway. Once completed the entire project will feature:

a new 16-bed Intensive Care Unit – main level.
approximately 30 additional medical beds on – the 2^nd floor.
3^rd floor – mechanical space.
4^th floor – shell space for potential future expansion.

The anticipated substantial completion for the Critical Care bed tower project is early 2026. As well, there is a planned renovation to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Western Manitoba Cancer Centre

Work continues on the expanded and renovated WMCC, which will serve as a regional cancer hub, providing enhanced cancer services for patients across western Manitoba. The project includes:

7,000-sq.-ft. expansion and renovation of existing space, including additional exam rooms and treatment spaces.
space for a ‘Centre of Hope’ for counselling and recovery patients to have additional support and resources.
second medical linear accelerator, used for delivering external beam radiation treatments to patients with cancer.

The anticipated substantial project completion is the spring of 2024.

Neepawa Health Centre

The new hospital is being built east of Neepawa on the north side of the Yellowhead highway near the Lions Campground.

It will be nearly double the size of the existing hospital, and will better serve patients from this broader western Manitoba geographic area. Features of the new health centre will include:

60 acute care inpatient beds, up from 35 at the current Neepawa site.
an expanded emergency department designed to best practice standards that include treatment and assessment rooms, trauma rooms and an ambulance bay.
adding a hemodialysis suite with nine dialysis stations.
enhanced space for a number of other programs, such as surgery, diagnostics, and palliative care, as well as outpatient services like chemotherapy (6 treatment stations).

The anticipated substantial completion right now is sometime in 2026.

Dauphin Regional Health Centre

Renovations to the Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC) are converting temporary Emergency Department space to enhanced patient care areas and a further increase in hospital inpatient capacity. This includes:

a new Endoscopy suite will relocate all endoscopy procedures out of the existing operating room, further free up operating space, and increase surgical capacity.
a new Chemotherapy unit, relocating the existing unit on the hospital’s third floor to the main floor.
adding nine additional inpatient beds (seven on medicine, two on surgery).

Phase 1 anticipated completion (Endoscopy/Chemotherapy) is expected in December 2023.

Phase 2 completion (hospital in-patient renovations) is anticipated in the summer of 2024.

Killarney, Virden and Souris Health Centres

Three additional Emergency Department (ED) renovations in Virden, Killarney and Souris are complete. We are currently preparing to enter the new space. This involved:

dedicated space for registration and triage for those attending the ED. This will provide greater privacy but also better sight lines for staff to view patients and the waiting area.
refreshed treatment spaces (e.g.: new paint, flooring, etc.).
improved wayfinding for those arriving at the Emergency Department and for those coming to visit inpatients.

The new ED spaces will officially open in November 2023.

Russell Health Centre

Construction is well underway on the building addition to expand the cancer care unit at Russell Health Centre. Work on the $2.5 million project began in late spring and is anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2024.

Once complete, the project will add another 3,300 sq.-ft. to the health centre’s existing CancerCare Manitoba chemotherapy treatment space and include:

replacement of the existing nursing station and medication storage area;
creation of a dedicated patient washroom, nourishment area, and a small waiting area;
improved patient privacy.

PMH has collaborated with health partners and stakeholders for the necessary building planning, construction costs and associated timelines for this important capital project. The regional health authority will contribute annual operating costs for the expansion, including staffing and supplies.

Manitoba Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week

In conjunction with National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW), Manitoba Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week (MSUAAW) focuses on promoting awareness around the effects of alcohol and other drugs, check out some of the events happening. This year, MSUAAW runs from November 19^th to 25^th, and the theme is Inspiration, Innovation, and Inclusion. The theme highlights the drive to create new research, best practices and emerging trends and issues, treatment and prevention initiatives and other innovations that affect the health and safety of people. The MSUAAW committees consist of members in multiple areas throughout the province that focus on providing resource information, community events, lunch and learns, and campaigns promoting the week. This opens opportunities for conversation, questions, information, and community involvement. Within the Prairie Mountain Health region, the MSUAAW Committee is in the process of planning events specific to the region, so please stay tuned for more information. The Committee is always looking for additions to the team, so if interested, you can contact your local members for more information.

As a part of the MSUAAW Committee, the Addictions Services (formerly Addictions Foundation of Manitoba) Team offers their knowledge and expertise in the addictions field. The Addictions Services Team includes Community Addictions Workers, Rehabilitation Counsellors, Youth Workers, Residential Care Workers, Cooks, Building Service Workers, Prevention and Education Consultants, Nurses, Admin Assistants, Supervisors and Director.

Some of the services the Addictions Services Team offer include Community-based Counselling, Family Programs, School Based Services, Youth Services, Education and Training, Non-Residential Treatment Programs, RE/ACT Program, In House Treatment Programs, MOST Clinic, RAAM Clinics, Impaired Driver’s Program, and Aricular Acupuncture. Addictions Services has 8 Community Office locations within Prairie Mountain Health and 2 In-House Treatment Centres.

How to Access our Services:

Individuals wanting to attend community based or in-house treatment programs must first meet with a Community Addictions Worker to do the intake and assessment process. Information is gathered to determine level of involvement with alcohol, substance use and/or gambling and information is provided for services available and/or recommended.

Currently in the Brandon-Parkwood Community Office, intake services are available by phone appointments only during the following times: Monday and Wednesday 9am to 4pm and Friday 9am to noon. In person intake appointments are available upon request. The drop-in in person intake group will be offered soon. In all other locations (including, Dauphin, Swan River, Virden, Rossburn, Minnedosa, and Boissevain) intake services are assigned to next available counsellor and are scheduled appointments.

Should the client decide they are interested in accessing one of the in-house treatment programs the community addictions worker will make the referral to the program.

Boissevain 578 Cook Street \| Box 58 Boissevain MB R0K 0E0 Phone: 204-534-2100 Fax: 204-534-2101	Brandon 510 Frederick Street Brandon MB R7A 6Z4 Phone: 204-729-3838 Fax: 204-729-3844	Dauphin 404-1^st Ave NE Dauphin, MB R7N 1A9 Phone: 204-622-2021 Fax: 204-638-6077	Minnedosa Box 1079 Minnedosa MB R0J 1E0 Phone: 204-867-6102 Fax: 204-867-5140
Rossburn 10 Main Street \| Box 399 Rossburn MB R0J1V0 Phone: 204-859-4000 Fax: 204-859-4001	Ste. Rose du Lac Ste. Rose Health Centre 603-1^st Ave E Ste. Rose du Lac, MB R0L 1S0 Phone: 204-622-2266	Swan River 126-6^th Ave N \| Box 141 Swan River, MB R0L 1Z0 Phone: 204-734-2030 Fax: 204-734-9509	Virden 283 Nelson Street W \| Box 2500 Virden MB R0M 2C0 Phone: 204-748-4720 Fax: 204-748-4721

In-House Treatment

Willard Monson House
540 Central Ave | Box 490
Ste. Rose du Lac MB R0L 1S0
Phone: 204-447-4040
Fax: 204-447-4050

Parkwood
510 Frederick Street
Brandon MB R7A 6Z4
Phone: 204-729-3838
Fax: 204-729-3844