Transgender week was established in 2017 to recognize the issues faced by individual’s whom are transgender and the allies that support them. This week is a time for people to come together and to support the transgender communities by encouraging education, protection from discrimination or hate, and ensuring we are honouring their choices. The week is followed by Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience (TDoRR) which falls annually on November 20th. Which is a day of remembrance to individual’s who have lost their lives to transphobic violence.
Individual’s whom express being transgender identity that their gender does not match with the sex they were assigned as birth. There are many terms that may be used by individual’s including male, female, non-binary, gender non-conforming, he/him, she/her, or they/them. Transgender identify may be accompanied with a desire to transition to the gender that one identifies with.
ITgetsbetterCanada suggests ways of developing TransAllyShip within communities, work spaces, and personal lives through these ways:
Do your own research – learning about terminology, experiences, and issues that are impacting the transgender communities
Listening to transgender voices – find out what their experiences have been and remembering one narrative does not fit all.
Normalizing the sharing of pronouns – this helps to create environment that are inclusive and welcoming. Places to include your pronouns can be in verbal introductions, name tags, and email signatures.
Challenging negative comments or jokes that are transphobic – spreading awareness about the negative impacts on comments and jokes helps to reduce barriers and stigma for individuals.
Nurse Practitioners continue important role within PMH
Nearly a decade has passed since the Province highlighted the first-ever Nurse Practitioner Day in Manitoba (November 18, 2013). Ten years later, the important role of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in providing primary health care services in the Province remains evident.
Nurse Practitioner Jenny Ives outside the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation Health Centre northeast of Swan River.
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) remains committed to establishing a sustainable workforce that meets the region’s current and future needs. In terms of capacity building, one of the key areas of focus remains a dedicated effort to recruit and retain more NPs.
As of November 1, 2023, Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) employs 27 NPs who provide service to and within 31 communities. The most recent recruits were to the communities of Carberry, Erickson (with two days a week in Minnedosa), Swan River and Virden. NPs also provide service in 10 First Nation communities, including Sapotaweyak, Skownan, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sippi, Tootinaowaziibeeng, Ebb & Flow, Sioux Valley, Waywayseecappo, Keeseekoowenin, Birdtail Sioux, Canupawakpa as well as the Metis community of Waterhen.
NPs work in various settings and consult with physicians and other health-care providers. They provide services in primary care, long-term care, acute care, emergency, teen clinics, health centres, youth clinics, and university and community colleges. This includes shifts on the Mobile Clinic (primary care bus) and at Brandon’s 7th Street Health Access Centre.
“The importance of Nurse Practitioners within PMH cannot be overstated,” said PMH CEO Brian Schoonbaert.
“While we continue to recruit to fill our physician vacancies, we have been fortunate lately to have Nurse Practitioners provide services in some communities that have been historically short of doctors. They also provide service within some personal care homes, primary care centres and the primary care bus (mobile clinic). We fully support a proactive approach to recruiting and retaining NPs in Prairie Mountain Health.”
Schoonbaert says PMH has backed a version of ‘Grow your Own NPs’ with funding support, where possible, is provided to have Bachelor of Nursing staff upgrade their skills to become an NP. An expression of interest for paid education leave closed late last month, the second intake in the previous year and the third since PMH became a region. Upon completion of their studies, a return of service agreement is tied to service delivery in a community area.
What type of services are available from a Nurse Practitioner?
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a Registered Nurse (RN) who has completed advanced education at a master’s level. NPs are registered with the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM). They work independently and can provide many services, including:
Nurse Practitioner Berly Balsar Lawrene at 7th Street Health Access Centre in Brandon
Completing assessments and physical exams, including pap tests and pre-natal care/exams;
Diagnosing and managing common acute issues and chronic disease management like diabetes;
Prescribing medications, treatments and therapies;
Ordering diagnostic tests like blood work, x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs;
Performing minor procedures like suturing, biopsies, wart and mole removal, and
Referring to other health providers, including specialists.
The region anticipates being in a position to hire more NPs pending completion of successful educational and licensing requirements.
Mushrooms – a polarizing food that elicits either love or hate in most people. Personally, I am a huge mushroom advocate. They have a savory, umami flavor that adds a lot of depth and richness to a dish without breaking the bank. Neither plant or animal, this substance known as a variety of fungus, comes in multiple different shapes, sizes and color. With more than 10 000 kinds, examples include button mushrooms, cremini, enoki, portobello, porcini, chanterelle, shiitake, oyster, etc. Depending on your preferences, you can select a mushroom perfect for the dish you make. Let’s explore some common kinds you can find in your grocery store:
Button: One of the most common mushrooms and readily available in grocery stores, the white mushroom is mild in flavor; making them extremely versatile. You can often see them on pizzas, in pasta sauces, sliced on salads, added to omelets or served as a side on top of a steak.
Cremini: Creminis are button mushrooms that are harvested at a later date, making them slightly more flavorful than the latter. While they look almost identical to white mushrooms, an easy way to distinguish the two is the brown colored cap of a cremini. Try adding them to all the same dishes you would use button mushrooms for but if you want a slightly stronger earthy flavor.
Portobello: The older, larger, and more robust cremini mushroom are a fan-favorite for their strong earthy taste and meaty texture. The large caps make them ideal for grilling or stuffing for a great appetizer.
Oyster: Not as well-known as the former three, these mushrooms are a must-try for anyone looking to compliment dishes with specific flavor profiles. For example, pink oysters have hints of bacon/ham; blue oysters have seafood undertones; yellow oysters have a slight cinnamon/citrus flavor and phoenix oysters resemble star d’anise. With a “meaty” texture they are also ideal candidates for anyone looking to a plant-based dish.
Shiitake: My personal favorite, these mushrooms are for anyone looking to add strong umami flavors since they have deep, earthy and buttery qualities. They are a great sautéed and if you really want to pack a punch, try using their dried variety!
Now, if I haven’t already sold you on giving mushrooms a try, then maybe the following facts will change your mind:
Mushrooms are a source of D & B vitamins and minerals like phosphorus, selenium, copper and potassium.
Mushrooms are composed of 80-90% water, making them a low-energy and flavorful ingredient to bulk up dishes needing a savory component
Mushrooms are a great addition to vegetarian dishes as they provide an umami quality due to a substance known as glutamate, an amino acid found in cheese, meats and fish.
Looking for some tasty mushroom dishes to give a try:
Camp Bridges, Love Builds Bridges Where There Are None
Camp Bridges, Love Builds Bridges Where There Are None
November 16th is Children’s Grief Awareness Day, a day dedicated to helping people learn about the ways they can support a grieving child. In Canada, over 203,000 children will experience the death of someone in their extended family; with 1 in 14 experiencing the death of a parent or sibling. In recognition of Children’s Grief Awareness Day, the Prairie Mountain Health Palliative Care Program would like to share information about Camp Bridges.
What brought together the 40 children and youth who attended Camp Bridges 2023? It may have been sitting around the fire eating smores, staying up late into the night giggling, coming up with a cabin cheer or participating in fun activities like ziplining and horseback riding. But – more likely – it was the shared knowledge that each of them has experienced the death of someone they love.
Camp Bridges is a children’s bereavement camp organized by the Palliative Care Program at Prairie Mountain Health. It is open to any child in Manitoba, aged 7-15 years old, who is grieving the death of someone significant in their life. Camp Bridges provides a safe environment where campers have the opportunity to interact and share their feelings with other children who are in similar circumstances. While the camp is not designed to provide grief therapy, Campers learn to understand their grief as a normal experience, recognize they are not alone and have the chance to “just be a kid again”.
In 2023, Camp Bridges was hosted at Circle Square Ranch, a beautiful Western-inspired space with ample sunshine and a variety of fun activities. Upon arrival, Campers were welcomed by smiling volunteers and had the opportunity to choose from an assortment of donated comfort items, including: a hand-made blanket/stuffy from Project Linus, a knitted hug scarf from Palliative Manitoba and a bag of camping goodies from Shine Through The Rain Foundation. Campers said goodbye to parents and caregivers, who were sent home with a resource package to help them understand and support their child’s grief.
After checking in, Campers head to their cabins to unpack and get to know their cabin mates. It is astonishing how quickly the children form bonds with each other by sharing their name and the reason they have come to this special camp. Campers are invited to create a picture frame and display a photo of their person on the Wall of Memories. This activity provides children with an opportunity to talk about the person who died, share favorite memories and form connections with other grieving children. As they look upon the wall, filled with photos of parents, siblings, grandparents, friends and other important people, they know they are not alone in the experience of losing someone special.
Camp Bridges offers all the things expected from a summer camp, including: ziplining, archery, mess hall meals, horseback riding, outdoor games and lots of laughter and fun. Sprinkled in alongside are memorial activities that teach children about grief, allow them to acknowledge their loss and find support in one another and camp volunteers. Memorial activities include: creating a memory box, writing on HOPE stones and sewing a pillow made from their loved one’s clothing. As an annual Camp Bridges tradition, a memorial service was held where children could light a candle for their special person in a space of shared reflection, empathy and support. These activities help children maintain a continued connection with the person who died and lets them know that death ‘ends life, but not love’.
Campers had the opportunity participate in sessions of art therapy, with Pipestone Art Therapy and music therapy, with Satori Counselling & Expressive Arts Therapy. These activities help children connect to their emotions and express them through creative outlets and physical movement. Children learn that grief is a natural and normal response to loss, and that expressing their feelings can help. Finally, it was time to close out Camp Bridges with a butterfly release ceremony. Campers and their families gathered in a large circle to release Monarch butterflies. It was in that moment of watching the butterflies take flight, that one could grasp the profound impact Camp Bridges had on these young grievers and their families.
Camp Bridges is facilitated by a dedicated group of volunteers who give their time, energy and heart to create the warm and fun-filled atmosphere. Cabin leaders are responsible for ensuring Campers get to scheduled activities and provide care and guidance throughout the weekend. A second crew of volunteers help children sew memory pillows, a treasured keepsake that will comfort them for years to come. Volunteers are trained in recognizing and supporting the unique ways that children grieve. Finally, Camp Coordinators, made up of staff from PMH Palliative Care, provide camp oversight and nursing duties for the weekend. If you are interested in volunteering with Camp Bridges 2024 please contact Carla Mitchell at 204-578-2310 or [email protected]
Camp Bridges is thankful to all of the special people who make this camp possible! Due to the generous donations received, we are able to offer Camp Bridges free of charge for 40 campers each year. In 2023, the amount of applications received well exceeded the available spots; highlighting the continued need for children’s bereavement support services. We are grateful to the individuals, organizations, community service groups and palliative care volunteer committees who contributed financially. We would also like to thank Kuiper’s Family Bakery and Co-op for donations of food and snacks. If you would like to donate to Camp Bridges, please contact Melissa Peters at 204-578-2340 or [email protected] . Income tax receipts are issued for donations.
To learn more about Camp Bridges, or find additional resources to support grieving children, visit our website. Please note: Camp Bridges 2024 applications will be available in January 2024.
Walking Alongside Grief…. Reaching Out to a Grieving Heart
Walking Alongside Grief…. Reaching Out to a Grieving Heart
On November 21st, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association acknowledges National Grief and Bereavement Day 2023. It is a day to take action, be present and support those around you who are on a grief journey.
Grief is the natural and normal response human beings have to loss, especially when someone significant dies (also referred to as bereavement). Grief is complex and can have significant impacts on all aspects of self, including physical, emotional, behavioral, intellectual and spiritual reactions. Grief does not follow a predicable timeline and every person grieves in their own unique way.
Despite the fact that grief is a universal human experience, we often don’t know how to respond when someone we love is grieving. It is difficult to bear witness to the intense feelings, thoughts and behaviors that accompany grief. In society, talking about death or grief is taboo and this can leave us feeling uncomfortable, never knowing quite what to say or uncertain about how we can be helpful.
But here’s the truth – we all have the power to make sure that people do not face their grief journey alone. For many reasons, grief can be a deeply isolating and lonely experience. Reaching out with simple gestures of kindness can make a profound impact and let the grieving person know they are not alone in navigating grief and loss.
A good place to start is understanding that grief is an important healing process, one that cannot be rushed or fixed. As a support person, it is not your job to fix the grief, but rather to walk alongside it and offer acknowledgement, compassion and support. Even when it feels like there is nothing you can say to make things better; your actions can speak volumes and provide solace to a grieving heart.
Some small, but impactful ideas, to support a grieving person:
Just reach out.
Show up and listen, listen, listen.
Bring food that is ready to eat, or easy to prepare.
Offer concrete help (mow the lawn, do laundry, grocery shop, take out garbage)
Ask about the person who died or share a favorite memory/photo
Avoid platitudes or clichés
Send a card or care package (grief journal, art supplies or book)
Go for a walk together
Offer to help sort though or pack up the loved one’s belongings
Invite them to social events (and be accepting if they decline)
Arrange to babysit or take children to activities
Offer to attend a grief support group with them
Acknowledge important dates, such as the holidays or death anniversaries
While grief is a lonely journey, it is one that we needn’t walk alone. Every member of a compassionate community can reach out with small acts of kindness and connection. There are also community resources to help grievers connect with others who are experiencing a similar circumstance. The Palliative Care Program offers a listing of grief supports available in Prairie Mountain Health. To access the available supports please visit our website.
L-R: Greg Thompson, Chairperson of the Dauphin Hospital Foundation and Norma Johnson, Dauphin Poppy Fund Chair
Dauphin Hospital Foundation receives donation from Legion
Ahead of Remembrance Day, the Dauphin Hospital Foundation recently received a generous donation from the Royal Canadian Legion Dauphin Branch #20 Poppy Fund. The donation, in the amount of $8,965 will be used to purchase blood pressure monitors for the Dauphin Regional Health Centre’s Palliative Care Unit.
Pictured are Greg Thompson, Chairperson of the Dauphin Hospital Foundation and Norma Johnson, Dauphin Poppy Fund Chair.
Johnson says the donation was a result of ongoing contributions received through their collections of poppy sales and wreath rentals. Johnson urges Parkland residents to consider donating through purchases of poppies again this year.
Both the Dauphin Hospital Foundation and Prairie Mountain Health sincerely thank the Dauphin Legion Branch #20 for their heartfelt contribution.
L-R: Bell/MTS retirees Darlene North, Sharon Shannon, and Ruth Albertson with BRHC Auxiliary members Brenda Burgess and Eileen Mosson.
Bell Giving Program
On September 25, 2023 the Brandon Regional Health Centre Auxiliary was honored to receive a $3000.00 donation from the “Bell Giving Program.”
Bell/MTS retirees are able to accumulate volunteer hours which they in turn can convert into grants for charities of their choice. The BRHC Auxiliary was the recipient of this years grant.
Russell Health Centre addition for expanded cancer care unit taking shape
Russell Health Centre addition for expanded cancer care unit taking shape
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.
The Expanding Community Cancer Care (ECCC) committee raised $1.8 million toward construction and equipment costs related to the expansion. The committee includes membership from the communities of Angusville, Beulah, Binscarth, Birtle, Foxwarren, Inglis, Langenburg, Sask., Roblin, Rossburn, Russell, St. Lazare, Shellmouth, Silverton, Solsgirth and Waywayseecappo. The Manitoba government committed $700,000 to support the remaining costs of the project.
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.
Watch for updates over the next few months related to the Expanding Community Cancer Care project.
Canned sardines are a quick, easy, economical protein choice. These small fish are rich in omega-3 oils, calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin D and selenium. They are, as grandma said, brain food and many of these nutrients are important in brain function and heart health. There are more than 20 species of fish that can be classed as sardines. New Brunswick is home to Canada’s only sardine canning facility. Sardines come packed in oil, tomato sauce and water. If you are looking for milder fish taste go for the ones packed in water. There are many ways to enjoy sardines including the classic sardine on toast. Try mixing up flavours like onion and mustard or tomato and cucumber. If you don’t like to look at the fish while you eat it, smash it up and add to your tuna salad. They’re great in stir-fry’s or pastas. Try this sardine pasta casserole BRUNSWICK® QUICK AND EASY SARDINE PASTA CASSEROLE – Brunswick® Seafood
A day in the life of… Taylor. Taylor has an important, life-saving job, but their profession is one that most people would not be able to describe. They are a registered respiratory therapist (RRT). Here is a snapshot of how Taylor spends their day.
Their shift starts in the hospital report room at 7:30 AM – coffee in hand, they are prepared for the 12-hour shift ahead of them. With their ever-present stethoscope around their neck and a pen in their pocket, Taylor learns from their co-worker, who is finishing the night shift, about the patient requirements for the day – six ventilated patients in ICU need assessments; two patients with tracheostomy tubes need care; three patients on the ward are on heated high flow oxygen devices; a breathing test has been ordered for a patient; and arterial blood gas needs to be drawn before a patient is sent home on oxygen.
At 7:45 AM, just as the report is finished, a “Code Blue” is called in the emergency department. Taylor rushes to the ED. They proceed to intubate and ventilate the patient to keep her airway open. They help the team administer life-saving respirations during the resuscitation. After 40 minutes of constant efforts to resuscitate the patient, the team is unsuccessful. Her grieving family arrives and as Taylor holds back tears they say “thank you for trying to save her”.
It’s now 8:35 AM. Taylor heads off to begin assessments of their patients and attend interdisciplinary rounds with the team in ICU. As they are about to enter the ICU, their pager goes off. They are needed in the NICU for a premature infant. The baby is born at just 32 weeks but is moaning and grunting and showing signs of increased work of breathing. Taylor starts the baby on nasal CPAP to open up his tiny lungs. Although the baby is small, he is in good health and his lungs begin working well. Mom, Dad and Grandparents cry with joy at this tiny miracle.
Throughout the rest of Taylor’s shift, they educate a patient with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) about his inhaled medications and discusses smoking cessation options. They take an arterial blood gas and set up a woman for oxygen at home to improve her shortness of breath with activities of daily living. Taylor assesses and manages patients in the intensive care unit on mechanical ventilators. Taylor discusses a plan for the tracheostomy patients with the physician to downsize or decannulate as part of the weaning process. They educate patients and other health care professionals about oxygen delivery devices.
You may wonder what type of health care professional gets to work in a variety of settings like Taylor. Taylor is a registered respiratory therapist. Not every respiratory therapist has a shift like Taylor’s. Among others, some work in the operating room as anesthesia assistants, others perform pulmonary function testing, research, work in home care or educate students. Respiratory therapists are important members of teams that provide care in hospitals, in clinics, in the community and in patients’ homes. The cycle of life and death is one of the profound and amazing things that a respiratory therapist gets to impact in the course of a day’s work. Whether it is in acute care, health prevention and promotion or diagnostic testing, the message is the same – respiratory therapists are dedicated to better breathing.
How does someone become a Respiratory Therapist?
Respiratory therapists graduate from three- or four-year programs (or equivalent) that include theory, lab and clinical components. In most jurisdictions, passing a credentialling exam and/or a license to practice is required following graduation. Learn more about the Respiratory Therapy (BRT) program offered at the University of Manitoba.
Data from the federal government and the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists indicate a strong need for RTs in the next few years! RTs can move from one province and work in another, but a provincial license to practice is required in most provinces.
For more information, contact the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists: www.csrt.com 1-800-267-3422 [email protected]
October 22-28, 2023 is Respiratory Therapist Week
See some of the Respiratory Therapists from around Prairie Mountain Health.
Hi, my name is Tina Szewczyk and my colleague is Erin Forsyth. We are the Registered Respiratory Therapists at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre. I have been an RRT for 27 years, and worked with PMH at the DRHC in acute care for 18 years. I was born and raised in McCreary. Erin Forsyth is standing with the ventilator. Erin has been an RRT since 2002. Previously working in the OR at Seven Oaks in Winnipeg, she relocated with her children and spouse, who also works at DRHC. She began here at DRHC in the Respiratory Clinic in Nov 2020, and has recently begun a permanent position at the DRHC in acute care. We are thrilled to have her join our Team at DRHC. Working to support the Respiratory Health of our friends, family and the north PMH communities at large brings great satisfaction to us both.
Happy RT Week from the Respiratory Therapists at Brandon Rregional Health Centre!
Pictured L-R: Teresa Chapin, Kelley Fingas, Jennifer Sambrook, Alyssa Elliott and Kortney Blosha Missing from Photo: Stephanie Nicholls, Teagan Kinsley, Rachel Veitch, Makenzie Riess, Lana Minuk, and Leah Sumner
What You Can Do Heading into Respiratory Virus Season
What You Can Do Heading into Respiratory Virus Season
Respiratory viruses are common, and they tend to spread more easily during cooler weather when Manitobans spend more time indoors with others. Viruses including Influenza (Flu) and Covid are contagious, and can have similar and overlapping symptoms.
People who have a respiratory virus often feel some or all of these symptoms:
Fever or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (tiredness)
Some may have vomiting and diarrhea (though more common in children)
Respiratory viruses can infect the nose, throat and lungs and cause mild to severe, and sometimes fatal illness. Most viruses are spread when people cough, sneeze or talk, and droplets land in the mouth or nose of nearby people. A person may also become infected by touching an object that has a virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes. Young children, seniors, and people with certain health conditions are at a higher risk of respiratory illness complications.
The BEST ways to reduce your risk and potential complications:
Get vaccinated, stay home when sick, wash hands frequently, cover your cough/sneeze, and wear a mask in high-risk situations
This respiratory virus season, updated Covid and Flu vaccine doses are recommended for all Manitobans 6 months of age and older. It is especially important for individuals who are considered high risk, those over the age of 65, and children under 5 years of age.
Manitoba Health continues to offer Pneumococcal 23 and High-Dose (HD) Flu vaccines to people 65 years of age and older. Most adults over 65, without underlying health conditions, only require one lifetime dose of pneumococcal vaccine. The High Dose Flu vaccine contains more antigen that older adults need to build a strong immune response resulting in better protection against the Flu virus.
You can get your Flu, Covid and Pneumococcal vaccines at a local community clinic, pharmacy, or your Primary Care Provider. All vaccines can be given safely at the same visit. It is recommended to receive your Covid vaccine 6 months since your last dose. Talk to your health care provider to determine the best time for you to be vaccinated.
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) Flu and Covid Vaccine Clinics will be starting October 23rd. For clinic dates and locations continue to check the PMH website and our Social Media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).
Once again, this year you will be able to book your vaccine appointment online or call toll free 1-844-626-8222.
