Working in a rural hospital requires a tremendous amount of teamwork, says the chair of the Sundre Hospital Futures Committee.
And an important aspect of effective collaboration is getting to know each and every member of the team, said Gerald Ingeveld, who is also involved with the Sundre Health Professions Attraction and Retention Committee, which alongside the Sundre Hospital Staff Association recently held an awards night for staff who have reached career milestones.
Chantal Crawford, a clinical nurse educator at the Sundre hospital as well as a director for the recruitment and retention committee, organized the evening.
More than 20 long-service awards recognizing career milestones ranging from five to 40 years were presented on Thursday, Sept. 26 at Mountain View Inn and Suites during a ceremony.
“It is very important to recognize all the hard work and commitment that our staff do. They go over and beyond always making sure patients are well looked after, putting patients’ needs before their own,” said Crawford.
“Every day our staff at the Sundre hospital work as a team to provide excellent, quality patient centred care, so it is important that we put on events like the long service awards to say thank-you for their commitment.”
This year’s recipients were as follows: five years — Roberta McKinnon, Jill Ward, Shannon Fankhauser, Jacey Villeneuve, Erinn Juuti, Andrew Wilson, Erin Wilson, Dr. Jena Smith, and Dr. Jonathan Somerville; 10 years — Renee Worsell, Sandy Pomber, and Ania Slodyczka; 15 years — Susan Myette-Rath, Shari Leedahl, Tracy Hooch-Antik, and Susanna Gerber; 20 years — Maggie Lamb, Jolene Haugen, and Dr. Michelle Warren; 25 years — Joyce Sumyk; 30 years — Mary Brisebois and Heather Aldrich; 35 years — Heather Smith; and 40 years — Judy Gorrill.
Chantal Crawford, right, a clinical nurse educator at the Sundre hospital as well as a director for the health professionals recruitment and retention committee, presents Mary Brisebois with 30-year service award during a ceremony for health-care staff who have reached major career milestones. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Recognizing their commitment and those “who have gone above and beyond” is an important part of the recruitment and retention committee’s mandate, said Ingeveld.
Some were born and raised in Sundre, and after completing their post-secondary studies and gaining experience elsewhere eventually returned home to work at the local hospital or practise in the community, he said.
“Once you’ve gone rural, there’s no going back,” he said.
Working on a hospital floor is no easy task that frequently necessitates a lot of hands-on effort that involves no shortage of lifting and carrying, particularly for LPNs, he said.
Not only can the job be physically demanding, but such positions also require a wide base of knowledge to deliver the best patient care possible, he said.
“So hitting those milestones is pretty awesome,” he said, praising the health care staff and nurses who manage to remain committed to the community for so long.
“They’re a special bunch.”
Back row, from left: Dr. Jonathan Somerville, Shari Leedahl, Susan Myette-Rath, Andrew Wilson, Sandy Pomber, and Jolene Haugen. Front row, from left: Erin Wilson, Heather Aldrich, Judy Gorrill, Mary Brisebois, Jacey Villeneuve, and Shannon Fankhauser. The health-care professionals were among more than 20 who were recently recognized for reaching major career milestones ranging from five to 40 years. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
