Autumn 2022

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IERHA CEO Marion Ellis

Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority representatives shared highlights of the past year at the RHA’s recent annual general meeting, while also taking time to acknowledge the impacts of COVID in the region and beyond.

The virtual meeting took place Monday, Oct. 3 with more than 96 participants from across the region joining online and by phone. 

Michele Polinuk, vice-chair of the board, was master of ceremonies. Robert Maytwayashing, Interlake-Eastern RHA’s Indigenous human resources development officer and an Anishinaabe Knowledge Keeper, opened the meeting with a prayer.

Glen West, chair of IERHA’s board of directors, shared gratitude for community support of staff and physicians, particularly at the start of the pandemic when there were so many unknowns.

“Care for the caregivers has always been a hallmark of life in rural Manitoba, and we thank you for continuing to lift the spirits of health-care workers,” he said. “You were there cheering us on during a very difficult time in health care.” 

On behalf of the board, Glen extended condolences to the region’s residents who lost loved ones during the pandemic. At the same time, he also acknowledged the hard work of health-care workers who answered the call to support the pandemic response.

Read more.

AGM materials are posted here on the IERHA website www.ierha.ca under “About Us” and “Annual General Meeting.” These include the annual report with financial statements, a recording of the meeting and an evaluation form related to the meeting. 

Public health will be hosting more than 70 flu clinics in 42 different communities across the region this year. This year's seasonal influenza campaign will start on Oct. 31.

Along with seasonal influenza, people who are eligible for their pneumococcal 23 vaccine can also schedule appointments through the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-844-626-8222. You can find the flu clinic schedule at www.ierha.ca > Programs & Services > Public Health > Flu Shots  

Yes, you can get your COVID-19 shot at a flu clinic this year if you’re eligible!

COVID-19 vaccines will be available for people aged six months and up at flu clinics. Bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccines will be available to all adults. Bivalent means this vaccine has been developed to provide protection against two strains of COVID-19: the original strain of the virus and the omicron variant. You must have completed your primary vaccination series before receiving the bivalent booster vaccine.

All provincial flu booking services are now accessible to the public. Click here for the IERHA flu page. And click here to read the news release from the Province of Manitoba. 

PLEASE NOTE: Vaccine Finder at protectmb.ca is being updated but in the meantime, it may be reflecting incorrect flu vaccine availability. Please visit our website for an up-to-date listing of vaccine clinics offering flu vaccine.

Mary and Robert Maytwayashing recently led the land ceremony in Pine Falls.

Earlier this month, Anishinaabe traditional knowledge keepers Robert and Mary Maytwayashing from Lake Manitoba First Nation hosted a ceremony in Ashern on the land that will be site of a 12-bed in-patient unit expansion to the hospital. They were joined by staff, physicians, representatives from Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing and people from surrounding communities as well as contractors on the project.

“It is crucial that we give thanks and acknowledgment to the earth for all she provides so that we as humans can continue our walks of life in a respectful reciprocal way forward. The ceremony we shared invokes the spirit to help us accomplish this,” said Robert, who is also Interlake-Eastern RHA’s Indigenous human resources development officer.

Working with the architects for the project, facilities maintenance staff have created a patient room mock-up in the hospital’s garage. Staff and invited community members are experiencing the mocked-up room to familiarize themselves with layout and features. This is also an opportunity to identify any requested changes in the locations of elements in the room to ease access, use or patient care. 

Groundbreaking on the project is scheduled for November. 

From left to right: IERHA CEO Marion Ellis with Ongomiizwin Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing representatives Melody Muswaggon and Melanie MacKinnon.

From left to right: Kristin Reischek, interior designer with MMP Architects talks with Steve Klassen, clinical process improvement facilitator, and Brittany Erdile, clinical resource nurse, in the patient mock-up room.

Luis Castro

Stewart Nadurak

A pair of medical residents is embracing the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in rural medicine.

Dr. Luis Castro and Dr. Stewart Nadurak have embarked on a two-year residency through Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority’s Family Medicine Residency Program.

Through this program, medical residents learn about the needs of rural patients as well as the opportunity to practise in a rural community after their training is complete. Residency is the final training stage for doctors after they graduate from medical school.

It’s familiar territory for both Luis and Stewart, since they both spent time in the region as medical students through the Home for the Summer program. Offered jointly by IERHA and Manitoba Healthcare Providers Network, the Home for the Summer program provides summer work placements for students pursuing a health-care career. 

Read more about Luis and Stewart — and the path that led them here.

Julie Bergner, manager of Fieldstone Ventures Education and Training Centre Inc. in Ashern with IERHA CEO Marion Ellis.

Congratulations to Julie Bergner, winner of the CEO Award for Community Leadership. 

Julie is the manager of Fieldstone Ventures Education and Training Centre Inc., a non-profit and community-run organization in Ashern.

Since 2006, Fieldstone Ventures has been investing in developing health-care employees. It initially worked with Assiniboine Community College and community groups to host an LPN program in Ashern that generated 14 graduates. Red River College now also offers health-care aide programs at Fieldstone Ventures as well as a paramedic training.

Fieldstone Ventures connects students with funding. By easing financial burdens, students experience greater success with their learning and completion of courses.

Recently, training sites for Interlake residents have expanded with the establishment of two facilities in Arborg, thanks to a partnership with communities and guidance by Assiniboine Community College. 

Work is underway in to retrofit Ashern’s provincial building in order to offer local training on the west side of the Interlake. A certified health-care aide program delivered by Assiniboine Community College is being offered for January 2023. This will open up training to students from as far south as St. Laurent to St. Martin and cover all five First Nation Communities in the area. In total, 20 students are expected to be trained in this course.

Julie is a board member/treasurer of Living Independence for Elders in Ashern, the Lakeshore Hospital Guild and the Lakeshore Handivan Association Inc. In the past 20 plus years, she has worked closely with representatives of Interlake-Eastern RHA. Her community connections serve her well as she has excellent understanding of the needs of the community.  

Thank you, Julie, for all that you and the Fieldstone Ventures team have done to help people progress to meaningful careers through education.

Congratulations are in order for several Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority employees who earned recognition for their outstanding contributions.

At IERHA’s Oct. 4 AGM, board chair Glen West announced the four winners of the Chair’s Award for Customer Service, chosen from among 18 nominees.

Left to right: Ellen Reimann, clinical team manager at Stonewall Hospital; Joanne Hubbard, president of Kinette Club of Stonewall; Donna Kuby, Kinette Club of Stonewall; and Brenda Gagnon, Kinette Club of Stonewall.

Recently, the Kinette Club of Stonewall donated $3,612.67 to the Stonewall Hospital for the purchase of an O2 Oximeter and an air mattress overlay for the current mattress.

Joanne Hubbard, president of the Kinette Club of Stonewall, says the group’s motto is “serving the community’s greatest need."

Pamela McCallum, executive director of the Interlake Eastern Health Foundation, acknowledges the club’s wonderful work and is grateful for their generosity.

“Joanne and the Kinette Club of Stonewall were great to work with," she said. "It’s clear that they live by their mission to support their communities. We are so grateful to have them as friends of the foundation." 

Interlake Eastern Health Foundation’s mission is to raise funds that support health care in the Interlake-Eastern health region. For more information, and to read more good news stories, visit www.iehf.ca or contact Pamela McCallum at 204-785-7044.

Vaccines are still very important to prevent infections that could make your child very sick.

Some diseases are now rarely seen in Canada because of long-term high rates of vaccination in the population, including:

• polio
• rubella
• diphtheria

However, these diseases still exist in some countries, so people who live in them or travel to them may become infected. They can introduce and spread these diseases when they return to Canada. High rates of vaccination against these diseases help to prevent further spread and outbreaks.

The best way to protect your children's health is to prevent these diseases in the first place by keeping their vaccinations up to date. Some examples include:

• Measles
• Whooping cough (pertussis)
• Tetanus

Learn more about vaccines for children.

Health Canada has approved COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth aged 6 months and older.

Learn more about:

• Vaccines for children: COVID-19
• What you should know about vaccines for COVID-19
• Get the facts: Vaccinating children against COVID-19 (printable poster)

Thinking about a career upgrade?

IERHA continues to strengthen its partnerships with various post-secondary institutions to develop a stronger workforce in the region. Efforts are underway to develop education opportunities closer to home for students and employees. 

Health-care aide programs: 

• Pine Falls — starts Feb. 6, 2023
• Ashern — starts January 2023
• Selkirk — starts Jan. 23, 2023

Bachelor of Nursing: coming this fall to Interlake-Fisher River- Peguis Campus 

Licensed Practical Nursing Training: underway in Arborg. Learn more. 

Medical Laboratory Assistant: through Herzing College or Robertson School of Health

Medical Device Reprocessing Technician: If you apply for a position, Interlake-Eastern RHA will cover costs of this online training opportunity through Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario. To apply, click here and select "Selkirk Regional Health Centre" under "Facility Name" and look for "MDR Technician."

Click here to see a list of even more courses available.

At Interlake-Eastern RHA, we are committed to serving you with respect, care and compassion. We are here to listen and respond to your needs.

We offer a number of ways to communicate with us:



• Complete this electronic Feedback Form. Printed forms are also available at all Interlake-Eastern RHA facilities.
• Compliment or concern? Call us toll free at 1-855-999-4742
• General inquiries? Call us toll free at 1-855-347-8500 



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