A Lifetime of Exemplary Care
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Healing the Body Enriching the Mind Nurturing the Soul Our December 2012 CompassCompassionate care led by Catholic values A lifetime of exemplary care Leading physician retires after 50 years of service His more recent memories of the progressing medical world, spending time Misericordia are marked by medical advances with patients is pivotal. and colleagues he shared both patients and “You need to give a patient time to say knowledge with. Dr. Murray Lieberman, what’s on their mind because they need to feel Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology like they have [been heard],” says Dr. Weisz. at the Misericordia, says Dr. Weisz was an “I don’t look at the illness so much as the outstanding physician. patient. It’s about how the illness affects the “From my perspective, he gave patient that counts.” tremendous service to those who needed While at the hospital, Dr. Weisz his help. He was a godsend in that regard accomplished many great things, such as and a lively starting the Thyroid Clinic in presence,” says “I read a few books about being 1969. He was the Associate Dr. Lieberman. a doctor and decided it would be Chief of Medicine for nine Described years in the 1970s and Chief by some a nice kind of life.” of Medicine for five years in colleagues - Dr. Samuel Weisz the 1980s. as a medical A family man, Dr. Weisz Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Weisz’s favourite part of has been married to his wife, Eva, for 55 years Dr. Samuel Weisz being a doctor was performing diagnostics. and is the proud parent of four children who “The best part of my 50 years in medicine have given him nine grandchildren to spend r. Samuel Weisz slowly sips his has been seeing medical cases that have a time with in his retirement. Despite working coffee while sitting at a table in the diagnostic problem and figuring them out. long hours, he always managed to make it MisericordiaD Community Hospital cafeteria, I like being a part of solving a patient’s home in time for dinner with his family, even a fitting place for an interview about his problem,” says Dr. Weisz. if it meant returning to work in the evening. retirement—the hospital where he dedicated His colleagues confirm his dedication to “He’d be back at the hospital late in the the past 50 years of his life as an Internal finding solutions. “He was always really fussy evening to see his patients for the second Medicine Specialist. that he got all of the details and information time that day,” says Dr. Eugene Kretzul, Dr. After graduating from the University of from patients. He’s very thorough, never Weisz’s former intern and partner in practice. Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine in 1956, Dr. rushed, always cool and calm,” says Dr. “He is my role model—the reason I went Weisz completed an internship, and then Michael Nutting, a fellow Internal Medicine into internal medicine. He is a role model for a fellowship in internal medicine focused Specialist at the Misericordia who worked generations of internists.” on thyroid disease, before joining the alongside Dr. Weisz for 35 years. For a man who can inspire passion in Misericordia Hospital in 1961. A warm smile Throughout his time at the Misericordia, others, Dr. Weisz had a much simpler reason spreads across his face when he speaks about Dr. Weisz experienced many medical for choosing to be a physician. “I read a few the hospital’s original site, then operated by improvements, including the first time books about being a doctor and decided it the Misericordia Sisters. peritoneal dialysis was performed at the would be a nice kind of life,” he says. “The old hospital was small; everybody hospital and the introduction of heart surgery knew each other. After a rain, the trees in the for coronary disease, both of which are now front had the most beautiful smell… and the commonplace procedures. Sisters served the best food,” says Dr. Weisz. According to Dr. Weisz, in the ever- A message from our President and CEO Charting the course In this issue 4 Three centenarians in Trochu “Mankind is a great, 5 New HandyAudit technology an immense family... 6 New LPN in Mundare This is proved by 7 Preemies thrive with donor milk what we feel in our 8 New Health Ethics Guide released 9 Misericordia Sisters visit Edmonton hearts at Christmas.” 10 Build resiliency in the workplace – Pope John XXIII 11 Prevent back injuries at work 12 Covenant in the community Taking the time to reflect, to celebrate and to give thanks is an integral part of Christmas. For me, it is a time to gather with friends and family, to recharge my batteries, to consider the accomplishments of the past year, and to celebrate my faith and what’s important in life. Our Compass is a quarterly publication for As a Covenant Health team carrying Covenant Health employees, physicians on the healing ministry of Jesus, the and volunteers. story of Christmas and the life of Executive Lead the baby of Bethlehem is the genesis Fran Ross of our mission. And whatever our Vice President faith tradition and our connection to Communications the Christmas story, the message of Editor Patrick Dumelie, President and CEO loving each other and caring for our Krysta Smith neighbours is universal. Contributors As a leader, I am comforted by the Osas Eweka Karen Lamminen fact that this story is 2,000 years old. Christmas reminds me to take the long view. Megan Perras Each year brings its share of challenges and difficulties, but our mission is our anchor. Aimee Reimer Our difficulties are a bump in the road when we consider the larger purpose, and we Dr. Gordon Self need to keep our eyes on the horizon. Lauren Smith Rooted in this deep tradition, our mission also pushes us out of our comfort zone, Design Kristin Cooknell to find new ways to serve and to grow as an organization. I am humbled by what we have accomplished working together, compelled by our own calling and inspired by a Photos greater sense of purpose. Avonlea Photography Studio Inc. Kristin Cooknell On behalf of the Board of Directors and our Senior Leadership Team, I thank Tiffany Jones all of you for bringing your hearts and souls to your work. Thank you for your Karen Lamminen perseverance, your hope and your conviction that we can make a difference in the Megan Perras Jon Popowich lives of those we serve across Alberta. And on behalf of the people who matter the Patty Schulte most—our patients, residents and all those we serve—thank you for freely giving your Teagan Photography hearts and your hands to reach out, comfort and console those who are struggling, ill, Printing vulnerable or lonely. This is truly what Christmas is all about. McCallum Printing As we get ready to enter a new year, may we all be filled with hope—hope for the Your comments and suggestions are welcome. work we do and what we can accomplish together. [email protected] 780-735-9929 I wish for each of you the gifts of Christmas: love in our world, peace in your 3033 – 66 Street heart, meaning in your work and joy in your life. Edmonton, AB T6K 4B2 Our Compass Covenant Health 2 Covenant Health launches institute to support patients at end of life Covenant Health celebrated the launch of the Palliative End of Life Care Institute (PEOLCI) on Oct. 17. “Providing quality care at end of life is core to Covenant Health’s mission of serving (L to r) Patrick Dumelie, with compassion, upholding the sacredness President and CEO, Service Through Christ Award recipients of life in all stages and caring for the Fred Barth and Ed Stelmach and whole person—body, mind and soul,” says John Brennan, Board Chair Linda Revell, SVP Operations and Chief Operating Officer. Honouring the journey at the The institute will respond to the growing need for palliative and end-of-life care in Annual Community Meeting the province by bringing experts together and leading and facilitating research, education and public outreach. The early 300 partners, supporters, board also introduced a new award to honour number of Albertans who will require end- members, government officials individuals and groups who have made of-life care is expected to increase 33 per andN Covenant Health leaders from outstanding contributions to Catholic health cent by 2020. across the province came together for the care and shown leadership in advancing the At the launch, guests watched a video that organization’s Annual Community Meeting Sisters’ legacy. highlighted the palliative care experience on Oct. 17. Fred Barth and former Alberta Premier of one patient, Ken Lane, and his family. With the theme, “Honouring the Ed Stelmach were announced as the first Five weeks before Ken was diagnosed Journey”, the event offered the opportunity recipients of the Service Through Christ with stage four cancer, he had completed for Covenant Health to say thank you Award. an Ironman triathlon in California. An avid to partners and supporters, to celebrate Over the past 40 years, Fred Barth has sailor and marathon runner with a spirit for accomplishments of the previous year, and been actively involved in ensuring the life, Ken couldn’t believe he had cancer. to look ahead at new developments for legacy of the Sisters continues—whether “I thought they were talking about some the future. fundraising $4.5 million for the Misericordia other guy,” says Ken, reflecting on his Keynote speaker Dr. Eduardo Bruera, a in the 1980s or serving countless hours on diagnosis three years ago.