SUNDRE — In recognition of the community’s health-care workers who are serving at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, a local committee has over the past couple of months embarked on numerous initiatives to support them.
The Sundre Healthcare Professionals Attraction & Recruitment Committee (SHPARC), which is a subcommittee of the Sundre Hospital Futures Committee, has over the course of the past 10 weeks been busy working on several projects, said Joyce Wicks, chairperson.
“We commend their dedication, loyalty, courage and compassion to patients, clients and fellow team members during the extra efforts required to curtail COVID-19 outbreaks,” wrote Wicks in a press release.
The initiatives included:
• March 23 – 26: 100 scrub bags, sewn by Shelley Ingeveld with donation of material from Shelley & Craig’s Clothing and Fabric Store in Olds, were provided to the Sundre Hospital and Care Centre’s Health Unit as well as EMT and paramedic staff to place soiled uniforms for direct deposit into a washing machine.
• April 27: Courtesy of Candace at Smart’s Trophies, all staff received a stylized black ink, green pen with the inscription: Sundre Hospital Futures 2020 ‘We’re all in this together’ Covid -19.
• Four iPads were purchased to help staff assist the long-term care and palliative care patients to communicate with families and loved ones while on social isolation. The maintenance department created a wooden locked box for secured storage with access to charging capabilities. Each iPad must be signed out, and parents can obtain the tablets by surrendering their driver’s licence during usage by children who may be waiting in the emergency department.
• Starting in April, staff have been honoured during their respective professional celebration weeks with $10 Subway gift cards. To date, the committee has recognized pharmacy, lab and X-ray technicians, administrative assistants, health records (health information management), as well as rehabilitation and nursing workers (RNs, LPNs, HCA and unit clerks).
• May 5: 100 plastic hair clips, produced by Bigfoot 3D printing at Didsbury Computers, were donated to enable wearers to attach facemasks without having to wrap the elastics behind their ears, which increases comfort by reducing pressure.
• The committee also expressed gratitude to the Sundre and District Museum for the electronic signage at the traffic lights that acknowledged essential workers such as nurses, doctors, and emergency first responders.
• A large “Heroes Work Here!” banner, created courtesy of Andrew and Lorie O’Brien of Sideline Designs, Sundre, was prominently displayed at the hospital’s main entrance to recognize and celebrate staff during Rural Health Care week, which was observed May 25-29. The sign remains mounted in place.
• Ongoing provision of beverage pods for coffee makers throughout many departments in the Hospital and mostly complimentary from Sundre IGA.
Information for this article was provided by Joyce Wicks, chairperson, Gerry Greshner, secretary, Gerald Ingeveld, chair Hospital Futures, and other committee members, Chantal Crawford, site manager, Audrey McKenzie, RN, Shilyn Seeley, RN, Anna Rozenhart, RN, Jacey Villeneuve, Rehab & Staff Club chair, Dr. Chris Chapman, Jean Jones, community representative , and Lara Harries RHPAP consultant.
