People in the community are generally very grateful of the work local physicians and health-care support staff do to help keep residents in Sundre and the surrounding area healthy, said the chair of the Sundre Hospital Futures Committee.
“But they don’t always hear it,” said Gerald Ingeveld, about those who have dedicated their lives to pursuing a path in medicine.
So the committee, said Ingeveld, was pleased to participate in a recent humble and informal ceremony at the Sundre Hospital and Care Centre’s sunroom recognizing the service to the community of 20 physicians and health-care staff who had reached milestones in their careers.
“One thing that’s really neat for me is I went to school with some of them,” he said, adding there are former locals who temporarily left Sundre to pursue their training and education, only to come back and work in the community. Meanwhile, others who hail from different parts of the country, and sometimes even the world, have also decided to set roots in town, and along the way became adopted locals after spending so many years here, he said.
“This is a small town and we know our people,” he said.
“We’re particularly delighted by those who make Sundre their home.”
While the committee is considering plans for a more formal recognition event this fall, Ingeveld said the low-key celebration, which was held in May in partnership with the Sundre Hospital Staff Association, is a small but important part of the ongoing effort to show appreciation.
Also on the horizon for the committee’s plans, he said, is a skills day with nurses from Red Deer College this fall as well as the upcoming annual Sundre Hospital Legacy Gala.
The following physicians and staff were recognized through the annual Long Service Awards at Sundre Hospital and Care Centre — five years: Carlee Hascarl, licensed practical nurse; Katie Haynes, registered nurse; Mark Jackson, pharmacist; and Dr. Bill Ward; 10 years: Stephanie McNeil, lab/X-ray tech; Keiran Connolly, registered nurse; Wendy Young, lab/diagnostic imaging; Connie Bjorkman, administrative assistant; Tammy Fankhauser, healthcare aide; and Chantal Crawford, registered nurse; 15 years: Jennifer McQuillan, licensed practical nurse; Tamara Fenton, materials management; Maureen Vollmin, unit clerk/healthcare aide; Jessica Dalke, unit clerk; and Jodi-Anne Wood, registered nurse; 20 years: Dallas McLean, lab/X-ray tech; Dr. Eugene Landsbergen; and Dr. Carla Foolen; 30 years: Dr. Carol Rowntree and Deb Scheibner, lab/X-ray tech.
