Employee Wellness a priority for PMH

“Health and Wellness for All” is the vision for Prairie Mountain Health, and the Employee Wellness team believes that vision starts with our own staff!  Our committee’s expressed goal is “Healthy employees, healthy workplace, healthy community”.  Boosting staff morale was assigned a significant priority in 2023-2024 and a new committee was formed to assist with this task.  The PMH Social Committee consists of staff representation from across the health region and plans and hosts fun activities and events for PMH staff, physicians, volunteers and Shared Health staff working out of PMH facilities.  This past year, the two teams came together to bring our staff larger free events such as;

Family Beach Day.  All staff were invited to bring their families to Minnedosa Beach for a free barbecue, face painting, activities and free admission to the Splish Splash Water Park. 

PMH Day at the Movies. Movie theatres were rented out in Brandon, Dauphin and Swan River and staff were invited to sign up to bring their families for free movie admission and popcorn.

Prairie Mountain Regional Museum Family Day.  All staff were invited to bring their families to the museum located near Shoal Lake where they could enjoy free mini golf, a petting zoo, pony/wagon rides, museum tours, and a wiener roast.

Over the past year, staff may also have noticed food trucks parked outside their facilities offering staff a discount, dipped their toes in the water at the free family fun swim in Swan River, played a round of indoor golf in Souris or won free tickets to the Westman yoga festival. 

The PMH Employee Wellness committee has been successfully supporting teamwork and comradery across the region through a special funding initiative whereby staff can apply for financial support to plan fun activities and events for their department or program.  Over 100 applications were received in 2023-24 and staff from over 60 different facilities enjoyed team-building experiences such as:

• Corn mazes
• Flower picking
• Paint nights
• Bowling nights
• Golfing/golf simulators
• Spin classes
• Pizza making & cupcake decorating workshops
• Pottery painting
• Gardening workshops and many more.

The Employee Wellness committee recognizes that by prioritizing our staff’s mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing we are helping them to better care for you, our clients. 

Every Vaccine Counts!   PMH, it is time to get vaccinated

We are heading into Respiratory virus season.  Respiratory viruses are common and tend to spread more easily during cooler weather when Manitobans spend more time indoors with others. Influenza (Flu) and Covid viruses are contagious and can have similar and overlapping symptoms.

The BEST ways to reduce your risk and potential complications:

• Get vaccinated, stay home when sick, wash your 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 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 offers Pneumococcal and High-Dose  Flu vaccines to people 65 years and older.

In 2023/24, approximately 25% of the population received flu vaccines and 19% received COVID-19 vaccines. A significantly higher rate was seen in the 65+ age group (54% for COVID-19 and 60% for flu).  This year, our goal is to prevent missed opportunities and reach those individuals at risk for severe illness sooner.  We will offer vaccines at more access points; more providers will be offering vaccines.

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 healthcare provider to determine the best time to vaccinate you.

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) Flu and Covid Vaccine Clinics will start October 24th.  Starting October 5th visit our website for a full list of flu/COVID vaccine clinics and locations throughout the region, or follow us on our Social Media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). 

Once again, this year, you can book your vaccine appointment online or call toll-free at 1-844-626-8222 starting October 5th.

Stay Safe This Harvest Season

Harvest is just around the corner in our prairie region.  We encourage everyone (farmers and the public) to take precautions and stay safe this harvest season.

On the Road

• Take precautions when driving past or near slow-moving farm equipment.
• Ensure all lights including brakes and turn signals are working and properly adjusted before moving farm equipment on public roads.
• Keep mirrors and windows clean both in and out of the field.
• Be aware of height, length and weight restrictions on farm vehicles and when permits may be required.

In the field

• Inspect equipment regularly and ensure everything is in good working condition.
• Ensure guards and shields are in place on all equipment.
• Ensure first aid kits/fire extinguishers are stocked/full and in good working condition.
• Clear plugged equipment after the power is turned off and keys removed.
• Never trust hydraulic systems when working under a machine. Always use a safety prop if you must work under a header or other heavy machinery.
• Check your tow ropes and chains when pulling out stuck equipment – try to use tow ropes in good condition instead of chains.
• Have operational fire extinguishers mounted on equipment and everyone trained to use them. (recommended to have one in cab and one accessible from ground)
• Have a shovel accessible on farm equipment for fires.

In the yard

• Create a safe, separate and supervised play area for children on the farm.
• Before moving a piece of machinery, do a walk around check to ensure no one is near the equipment and warn anyone in the immediate area that the machinery will be moving.

Do not ignore your health during the harvest season. It is important to try to get adequate sleep which will help you rejuvenate from a hard day and prepare you for the next busy day.  Stay alert and take breaks! Take a break to eat your meals, even a short one.  Get out of the cab and walk around every few hours. 

If harvest becomes stressful for producers and their families, free confidential support is available through Manitoba Farm, Rural and Northern Support Services at 1-866-367-3276 (toll-free) or online at www.supportline.ca.

Discover numerous videos on farm safety here.

Resources: www.canolacouncil.org Iowa State University

Prairie Mountain Health and Shared Health Joint Employee Family Fun BBQ: A Day of Sun, Fun, and Community at Minnedosa Beach

Story courtesy of the Minnedosa Tribune

On July 14th, from 11 am to 4 pm, Minnedosa Beach was the place to be as hundreds of Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) and Shared Health employees, along with their families, gathered for a delightful day of sun, fun, and community at the Employee Family Fun BBQ. The event which included physicians, nurses, and volunteers, was blessed with partially clear skies, warm weather, and a light breeze – perfect conditions for a day at the beach.

The picturesque Minnedosa Beach, known for its serene waters, boating, waterskiing and beautiful surroundings, provided the ideal backdrop for the event. As families arrived, the beach quickly filled with laughter and excitement. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the awesome Splash Waterpark, where children of all ages could be seen enjoying the various water features and slides. The gigantic floating inflatable, with its diverse waterscape of activities, was a huge hit with kids of all ages, offering endless entertainment and a refreshing escape from the summer heat.

In addition to the waterpark, a wide array of games and activities were organized to keep everyone engaged. The chillaxing and friendly banter among colleagues and their families added to the festive atmosphere, fostering a sense of camaraderie and community.

No BBQ is complete without delicious food, and this event was no exception. Attendees were treated to free drinks, chips, hotdogs, and cotton candy ensuring that everyone had the energy to participate in the day’s activities. The aroma of grilled hotdogs wafted through the air, enticing even the most reluctant eaters. The picnic tables, set up under the shade of nearby trees, and beach blankets provided a perfect spot for families to relax and enjoy their meals together.

The event’s organizers ensured that there was a well-rounded experience for all ages. For the younger children, there were face painting stations, balloon animals, and a variety of beach toys.

Meanwhile, adults could unwind and socialize, taking in the scenic views of Minnedosa Beach and catching up with colleagues outside of the work environment. The event also featured a playlist of summery tunes that set the perfect mood, adding to the overall relaxed and joyous ambiance.

The Prairie Mountain Health Employee Family Fun BBQ was more than just a day at the beach; it was a celebration of the hard work and dedication of PMH and Shared Health employees. It provided a much-needed opportunity for healthcare workers and their families to unwind and enjoy some quality time together. The event highlighted the importance of work-life balance and the value of taking time to appreciate and connect with loved ones.

Community support played a crucial role in the success of the event.

Local businesses and organizations generously contributed, helping to make the day memorable for all attendees. Their support underscored the close-knit nature of the Minnedosa community and its commitment to recognizing and celebrating the efforts of healthcare professionals.

As the day drew to a close, families began to pack up their belongings and shared stories of the day’s adventures. The smiles and laughter that filled the air were a testament to the event’s success. It was clear that the Family Fun BBQ event had achieved its goal of providing a day of relaxation, enjoyment, and community building to our heroic health care providers.

In the end, the event served as a reminder of the strength and resilience of the healthcare community. It brought together individuals from a wide variety of roles within PMH and Shared Health, reinforcing the bonds that unite them in their shared mission to provide quality healthcare. The Employee Family Fun BBQ at Minnedosa Beach was a shining example of the positive impact that a supportive and connected community can have on the well-being of its members.

**Thanks to the members of the PMH Employee Wellness Team for organizing and supporting this fun event.**

New Neepawa Residency Unit begins within Prairie Mountain Health region

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) continues to support efforts to enhance access to physician and primary care services in the region. The region already has strong partnerships with two Residency Programs  (Brandon Satellite Campus and Parkland Family Medicine Residency Unit, based in Dauphin) and in early July, a third program got underway in Neepawa.

The two-year Residency Program, with two Year 1 Residents, is under the guidance of Dr. Brian Milligan of the Beautiful Plains Medical Clinic. Jenna Kilburn is the program administrator at the Neepawa site. The Residency Program is funded by the University of Manitoba, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. Besides their home base in Neepawa, the residents will also do rotations at other regional and provincial sites.

PMH is excited about the possibilities going forward. The community of Neepawa and surrounding area is growing and the new hospital under construction is slated to be completed in the summer of 2026.

“This provides exceptional opportunities for physicians to train in a rural setting and the potential to further increase the number of physicians who remain to practice in our rural communities, like Neepawa,” stated Treena Slate, CEO of PMH.

Back to School Packing Lunches

It’s back to school season, which means for most families that it’s time to pack lunches. Packing lunches can feel like a challenge trying to balance nutrition, budget, variety, food safety, and figuring out what your kids will actually eat. Here are a few tips for streamlining the task of packing lunches.

Get your kids involved – Involve your kids in the decision making and preparation. Decision making can start at the grocery store with simple decisions, for example, “would you like bananas or oranges in your lunch this week?”. When kids can be involved in some planning and decision making about meals, there is a better chance they will enjoy what’s packed! Involving kids in packing lunches also teaches important life skills like meal preparation, grocery shopping, as well as helping them discover their own preferences, and build a healthy relationship with food.

Make lunches the night before – Mornings are busy! Make life easier by packing lunches the night before. Pack lunches while cleaning up supper, especially easy if the leftovers can be packed in lunches.

Pack foods your kids like – Packed lunches are not the place to get your kids to try new foods. Save trying new foods for when they are at home, and in a relaxed environment. Pack foods that you know your kids like, even if that means packing the same items every day. This also means including food items that are just for fun. Different foods have different purposes, some foods purpose is enjoyment. Making these foods scarce only makes them more exciting to kids, and makes them want them more, which can cause a power struggle between the parent and child. When these “fun foods” are available in packed lunches regularly, eventually your child will see them as just another packed item, and will reduce their perceived “obsession” with them. In the long run, this will help kids develop a healthier relationship with food, and help them not feel out of control around these foods when exposed to them as a child, teen, and into adulthood.

Everyone has a job – Feeding kids can be a challenge, and meal times can feel like a power struggle if not everyone knows their job. According to Ellyn Satter, parents and kids each have a job to do at mealtime. At home it’s the parent’s job to provide food regularly, and to decide what, when, and where food is provided for their kids. At home it’s the child’s job to decide if they are going to eat what is provided, and how much. At school, the jobs shift a little. At school, it’s the parent’s job to decide (with input from the child) what is packed in the lunch, it’s the child’s job to decide if they are going to eat what is packed, in what order, and how much, and it is the teacher’s job to decide when and where the food is eaten. This may mean that your child doesn’t eat everything in their lunch or on their plate, but it helps your child learn to understand and listen to their own hunger cues, helping them develop a healthy relationship with food.

Pack a variety of foods – Some kids eat a larger variety of foods than others, and that is ok. Kids are still learning about different foods and their preferences. Here is a lunch checklist to include different important nutrients. If kids are given a snack time at school, don’t forget to pack enough for lunch and snacks.

• Protein food
• Whole grain carbohydrate food
• Fruit and/or vegetable
• Fun food
• Water

Examples:

Homemade “Lunchables”

• Sliced meat and cheese
• Whole grain crackers
• Baby carrots and grapes
• Banana chocolate chip muffin
• Water

Sandwich

• Tuna salad sandwich
• Whole grain bread
• Snap peas and fruit cup
• Brownie
• Water

Leftovers

• Chicken noodle soup in a thermos, hummus or tzatziki for crackers and celery
• Whole grain crackers
• Celery sticks and mandarin orange
• Gummies
• Water

Don’t forget food safety – Use ice packs and thermoses to keep foods at a safe temperature until lunch time.

Dauphin Medical Clinic honoured with 2024 Teaching Site of the Year Award

The University of Manitoba, Department of Family Medicine, held its U of M 2024 Inspire DFM Awards June 5^th. The awards are held annually to celebrate outstanding staff, faculty, residents, and teaching sites who elevate the Department of Family Medicine, improve healthcare, and help to train the next generation of caring and committed family physicians.

The Dauphin Medical Clinic was honoured to receive the 2024 Teaching Site of the Year award. From nominator Dr. Chavi Tejpal, a Postgraduate Year 2 lead resident at the Parkland Family Medicine Residency Unit:

“I support Dauphin Medical Clinic for multiple reasons. The Parkland Family Medicine Residency Program, created in 1991, is the second oldest rural training program in Canada for Family Medicine. With its strong roots and training, Dauphin provides more than academic opportunities for our residents.”

“Having been a part of this program, I have experienced first-hand the exceptional community foundations, resources, and support structures it offers to its residents. One of the standout features of the program is its unwavering commitment to the health of the community.

The availability of resources such as the Primary Care Outreach Clinic (PCOC), public health initiatives such as breast feeding and immunization clinics, and multimodal mental health services ensures that residents are equipped to effectively address a wide range of patient needs.”

Dr. Tejpal says the program fosters a culture of collaboration and support among inter-professionals, providing residents with invaluable opportunities for interdisciplinary learning to enhance patient care.

 “I am particularly impressed by the dedication of preceptors who open their homes as spaces for wellness activities, demonstrating a personal investment in the growth and development of residents. The active involvement and presence of a dedicated dietitian and mental health worker further illustrates the programs commitment to comprehensive care and resident support.”

Dr. Tejpal adds that accessibility of local specialists enhances the learning experience, providing residents with exposure to diverse medical perspectives and specialties such as a geriatric, adult and child psychiatrist, surgeons and unique niches in family medicine such as cancer care, geriatrics, dermatology, obstetrics, anesthesia and emergency medicine.

Dr. Anthony Wightman, who recently completed his first year of the residency program says the Dauphin Medical Clinic plays a vital role in the success of the Parkland Family Medicine Program.

“Manitoba has a vast catchment, diverse population, and skilled physicians. It is the best province to train for family medicine in, and the Parkland program is the best family medicine site within Manitoba for three reasons: its location, the resources, and the team.

The Parkland Family Residency Program is close enough to Brandon and Winnipeg that specialist support is available in emergencies. However, it is far enough that its physicians and residents must often differentiate and effectively treat their patients before support is available or accessible.”

Dr. Wightman concludes this relative isolation means that the residents are driven to be independent, assertive, and skilled in the clinic, ER, and hospital. Residents who graduate from the Parkland program often pursue additional training in anesthesiology and emergency medicine, providing benefit to the residency program and communities as a whole, which is necessitated by some of the area’s remoteness. Medical Clinics and facilities in nearby Grandview and Ste. Rose also play a participating role in the Parkland program.

“The Parkland program’s remoteness is balanced by a significant support network. It incorporates a clinical dietitian, respiratory therapists, and community mental health workers into its training team, which other sites do not. Parkland’s physical setup is also excellent. The emergency room is clean, modern, and has easily accessible ultrasound machines which residents are encouraged to use.”

The Dauphin Medical Clinic is across the street from Dauphin Regional Health Centre. With over 20 physicians, Dauphin has a wealth of family doctors, plus physicians in emergency medicine and anesthesiology, obstetricians and general surgeons to learn from.  Dr. Wightman believes since Dauphin is so well staffed, these physicians have ample time to teach and support residents. This breadth of experience includes disciplines covering obstetrics, pediatrics, general medicine, geriatrics, addictions, emergency, anesthesiology, and palliative care. “I recently completed a month of training at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre ER – many of the doctors there trained in Parkland and spoke highly of it,” stated Dr. Wightman. “On all my off-service blocks, attendings have spoken positively of the program. Now, after several months, I am honoured to be able to attest to its excellence myself. The Parkland Family Medicine Residency Program, with strong support from the Dauphin Medical Clinic, is the best teaching site in Manitoba.”