Medical students participate in “Rural Week” within PMH

A full slate of first-year medical students from the University of Manitoba’s (U of M) Max Rady College of Medicine (Rady Faculty of Health Sciences) participated in ‘Rural Week’ within Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region May 26 – May 31st.

Rural Week— coordinated annually by the Department of Family Medicine, Shared Health (Manitoba Healthcare Providers Network) and rural regional health authorities —provides medical students with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of how rural and northern Manitoba medical practices function.  It also promotes the many benefits of working and living in a rural/northern Manitoba area.

This year, 38 medical students were assigned to 13 PMH communities, which included Brandon, Dauphin, Deloraine, Grandview, Hamiota, Neepawa, Roblin, Russell, Souris, Ste. Rose, Treherne, Virden and Winnipegosis.

Students participated in a variety of rural physician practices, and in most cases, tagged along with a ‘doc’ to see how their patient days unfolded. As part of their visits, students also received assignments that saw them explore communities on their own.

PMH Regional Lead of Medical Services, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Adrian Fung added: “Rural week is an exciting time, as it allows us as a region to highlight our communities, staff, and facilities to the medical students, while also giving the students a chance to see how rewarding and fulfilling rural practice is!”

PMH sincerely appreciated the efforts of all of the physician preceptors, health-care professionals and community volunteers that helped to ensure Rural Week was once again a success.

Rural Week, as part of the U of M medical 1 curriculum, first started as an optional experience in 2003 and was approved as a mandatory component the following year.

Smilezones installed within Dauphin Regional Health Centre

Patients, families, visitors and staff at Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC) have reason to smile. In fact, there are four reasons, following the grand opening June 14 of new Smilezones within the second-largest hospital in Prairie Mountain Health region.

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH), in collaboration with Smilezone Foundation and sponsor Dauphin Tim Hortons, officially opened four new Smilezones within the hospital’s lab and imaging waiting area, Emergency Department (two decorated rooms) and the Palliative Care family room. The bright, calming and inspiring Smilezones include murals, child-friendly sensory development materials, and new media entertainment systems meant to enhance the facility’s person-and family-centred care.

Prairie Mountain Health CEO Treena Slate says this friendly hospital facelift can help ease stressful experiences for children, parents, and families and also boost morale for staff.

“Smiling is contagious and can act as free therapy simultaneously! We are very pleased that hospital patients, visitors, and our staff are now greeted with beautiful nature-themed murals and child-friendly options in easily identifiable areas of the facility. We are exceptionally grateful to the donor families from Tim Hortons and the Smilezone Foundation who approached us with the idea and coordinated work that allowed this extra-special project to come to fruition,” Slate stated.

“Smilezone Foundation is thrilled to be a part of this renovation at Dauphin Regional Health Centre, marking our second project in Manitoba,” said Scott Bachly, Smilezone Foundation Co-Founder. “These enhancements bring joy to children and families during their hospital visits, and seeing their smiles is the greatest reward for our efforts. We thank Dauphin Tim Hortons and the Crisanti and Pardy Families for their generous support and dedication to our mission of making tough days a little brighter for kids receiving treatment.”

“The Crisanti and Pardy families are honoured and sincerely grateful to have the opportunity to work with the amazing team at Smilezone and staff at Prairie Mountain Health and we are delighted that the Smilezones have garnered many positive and uplifting comments already,” said Greg Crisanti.  Along with the many local sponsors, community supporters and area residents that contributed to the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign earlier this spring, we could not be more thrilled with how everything turned out!”

Recognizing one year anniversary of Carberry Tragedy

PMH would like to acknowledge the tragic bus crash that occurred by Carberry on June 15, 2023, the ongoing healing that has occurred, and is still occurring. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the victims, their families, and the entire communities affected by this devastating event. 

If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, or needing to connect with supports at this time, do not hesitate to call PMH Crisis Services at 1-888-379-7699.

A Ceremonial Tribute in Remembrance will be held on June 15, 2024 at 2pm in Dauphin at:
CN Park
15-1st Avenue NW
Dauphin, MB

The Dauphin Active Living Centre invites you to join them after the ceremony for a Memorial Tea from 2:30pm to 4pm at 55- 1st Ave. SE

More information can be found on the 730ckdm community calendar.

Dauphin HERO Club celebrates three decades of program support

The Dauphin HERO Club held its 30^th year recognition event on May 8. The HERO Club, which started back in 1994 when the Brandon Mental Health Centre downsized and eventually closed, provides a welcoming , supportive and safe space for people recovering from mental health challenges through the PMH Mental Health program.

Hero Club members and staff develop strategies to support recovery by providing opportunities for recreation, education, employment, and friendship.

“Thirty years for the “Helping Everyone Reach Out Club” in Dauphin is quite an accomplishment!” stated PMH CEO Treena Slate. “We know that there are many success stories and a few challenges which have occurred over the last three decades. We know the Club helps members live fruitful and enriched lives with the support of people who understand the struggle. Congratulations on 30 inspiring years and continued success with the program well into the future!”

Prairie Mountain Health provides coordination and other program assistance to the HERO Club through its mental health program. Dauphin was the first of four HERO Club sites established within the health region.  Roblin, Russell and Swan River are the other sites within the region.

The Hero Club model has become a ‘community within a community’, allowing members and the community to provide information to the general public on mental illness, and set the tone that recovery is possible.  Its motto is “A place to go, a place to be, a place to grow, a guarantee!”

The Dauphin HERO Club will always be known for its high-profile and very successful hot dog cart, among many other initiatives. The Hot Dog Cart returns to action twice a week this year. On Fridays, the Cart will be at the Obsolete Brewing Company location from 10:30-1:30. On Tuesdays, the Cart will be in front of the Dauphin Neighborhood Renewal Office (formerly Under One Roof) from 10:30 to 1:30.

Asparagus is on the Menu

If you’re lucky, you’ve got asparagus perennially popping up in your yard. Asparagus is a perennial plant, meaning it will come back year after year without needing to replant it! It is also one of the first vegetables to start growing in the spring. The most common variety is green asparagus, however there are also purple and white varieties, with each variety having a slightly different flavour. Asparagus is rich in nutrients such as antioxidants, folate, fiber, and vitamins A, B6, C, and K.

Asparagus is available at the grocery store as fresh, frozen, or canned. When buying fresh asparagus, look for odorless asparagus stalks with dry, tight tips while avoiding limp or wilted stalks. Refrigerate fresh asparagus for up to four days by wrapping the ends of the stalks in wet paper towel and storing in a plastic bag. When choosing asparagus for recipes, look for the right size of stalk for the dish. Thicker, larger stalks are good for grilling, steaming, and roasting, while smaller, thinner stalks are better for being mixed into recipes like pasta and risotto dishes.

Asparagus is incredibly versatile and pairs well with fish, beef, shrimp, chicken, and pasta. It is also very tasty added to frittatas, in appetizers, soups, salads, wraps and more!

Here are 10 ways to enjoy asparagus:

1. Egg-cellent Asparagus. Add steamed pieces of asparagus to an egg white and feta cheese omelet. Finish with halved cherry tomatoes.
2. Grilled. Place asparagus spears on a medium-high heat grill coated with olive oil spray and cook for about 5-8 minutes until tender, turning occasionally.
3. Cheese, Crackers & Asparagus. Spread a soft cheese (goat cheese, brie, etc.) on whole wheat crackers and top with a crisp asparagus head. Serve as an appetizer or an afternoon snack.
4. Hearty Soup. Purée cooked leeks, onions, russet potatoes, asparagus, low-sodium chicken broth, lemon juice, and sour cream until smooth. Garnish soup with asparagus tips.
5. Drizzle a Little Dressing. Dress up your traditional steamed or boiled asparagus with a mustard vinaigrette dressing.
6. Steamed. Place fresh or frozen asparagus in a microwave-safe container or in a sauté pan with a small amount of water, low-sodium seasonings, and garlic. Enjoy as a side dish or snack.
7. Stock Up. Save the woody ends of asparagus for making asparagus soup later. Simply place in a zip lock bag and freeze until ready to use.
8. Easy Appetizer. Serve asparagus spears with a vibrant dipping sauce for an easy appetizer. Using Greek yogurt as a base, add in lemon juice, minced garlic, roasted red bell pepper … be creative and get dipping!
9. Veggie Fettuccine. Toss cooked asparagus and bell pepper with cooked fettuccine. Finish with lemon juice and cheese. Recipe Fettuccine with Fresh Vegetables
10. Shake & Bake! Place fresh asparagus in a plastic zip lock bag, drizzle with olive oil, and add salt, pepper and other seasonings. Shake until asparagus is coated, then bake in oven at 400°F until crisp!