Prairie Mountain Health CEO provides retirement notice
Board of Directors begins recruitment process
The Board of Directors of Prairie Mountain Health announced today that CEO Brian Schoonbaert will be retiring effective April 5, 2024. An extensive recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer is now underway. In acknowledging receipt of his retirement notice at its October meeting, Board of Directors Chairperson Lon Cullen stated:
“It is with mixed emotions that the PMH Board accepted Brian Schoonbaert’s notice of retirement. Brian’s commitment to providing quality health care and supporting all PMH staff, physicians and volunteers has always been evident. All who have worked with him will miss Brian’s positive, welcoming and genuine approach”.
Schoonbaert’s career in health care has spanned over 35 years – initially as a Finance Director for BGTW (Baldur, Glenboro, Treherne and Wawanesa), then as Vice President – Finance and Information Services for Brandon General Hospital and Brandon RHA. In 2011, he became Chief Executive Officer for Brandon RHA.
With the amalgamations of health regions in 2012, Schoonbaert assumed the role of Vice President, Finance, Capital, Support Services and Chief Operating Officer of BRHC for Prairie Mountain Health. In 2018, he was seconded to the Manitoba Transformation Management Office (TMO), leading several initiatives for the TMO. And in 2021, Schoonbaert assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer for Prairie Mountain Health.
Cullen added: “Brian is looking forward to spending time with family – his wife Mary Anne, their six children and 18 grandchildren. We thank Brian for his commitment, passion, and dedication to Prairie Mountain Health. We wish him a happy and healthy retirement!”
We pause to remember the sacrifices and efforts of those who have supported and protected our families, friends, neighbours and our nation.
Indigenous Veteran’s Day
November 8th is National Indigenous Veterans Day. The First Nations, Inuit and Métis of Canada have a long and proud tradition of military service to our country. Learn more.
Remembrance Day
On November 11th, it is important to take time to remember, honour and thank all veterans – At home, around the world and across generations. Read more.
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.”
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.
“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
International Day for People Impacted by Suicide Loss | Nov 18
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 13th.
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.
Expressions – Supporting Mental Health Through Artistic Expression
Expressions – Supporting Mental Health Through Artistic Expression
Every year, the Expressions Committee publishes a small volume of artwork and writing by individuals and/or family members who have lived experience with mental health and co-existing conditions and are interested in sharing their experiences with others. The group has been doing so since 1998.
We accept photos of artwork, any writing (stories, songs, poetry), crafts or projects (knitting, woodworking), or anything someone does to express their creativity and support their mental health.
In gathering and publishing these books, we hope to inspire each other and give hope for recovery to all those affected by mental illness.
The deadline for submissions for the Spring 2024 book is Dec 1, 2023. And on Dec 2, we start gathering for the next year, and so on. Information and submission form.
There is an event held every year in the spring to launch that year’s book, and copies are provided to everyone who contributed work to that year’s edition.
We also support artists and artisans to showcase and sell their work at our Expressions Spring Art Sale and Expressions Holiday Market, typically held in May and November each year. These sales aim to help the artists offset the costs of their hobbies and reduce the stigma around mental health issues. The Expressions Holiday Market will take place on November 23 from 11 am to 4 pm at 529 4th Street in Brandon. Gifts, crafts and art will be available to purchase. We hope to see you there!
These projects all receive support and funding through the PMH Mental Health program and are open to participants from throughout the PMH region.
For more information, please contact the Expressions Committee chairperson, Katie Hoover, at [email protected] or 204-578-2456
Prairie Mountain Health would like to thank the following people and businesses for helping make our Spread the Warmth campaign a success at the November 17th Brandon Wheat Kings game!
Thank you to all attendees who brought donations! We collected new mitts, gloves, toques, socks and underwear to help our more vulnerable population during the cold winter months. The items collected will be given out to our various programs and services, such as our Emergency Departments, 7th Street Health Access Centre and Public and Mental Health offices.
Thank you to everyone who purchased pucks for the Chuck-A-Puck event; we raised $760 that will be used to purchase hygiene products and other necessities to help people in the community.
Thank you to the following businesses for their generous donations toward the Spread the Warmth prize pack that was given to lucky winner Emmy!
Brandon Regional Health Centre Gift Shop
Brandon Home Hardware Building Centre
CAA Brandon
Heritage CO-OP
Komfort Kitchen Brandon
Landmark Cinemas
Shoppers Mall Brandon
Smitten Brandon
Treeforte
Victoria Inn Brandon
Thank you to our volunteers for helping at the game!
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 2nd floor.
3rd floor – mechanical space.
4th 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
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 19th to 25th, 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.
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.
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:
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.