Foundations & Health Trusts YOUR GIFT MATTERS Your Foundation|Your Community |Your Health FOR A LOOK AT THE IMPORTANT WORK DONE BY FOUNDATIONS, TURN TO PAGES 6-7

CALGARY Zone NEWS Zone

Your Health Care in Your Community 2015 MAY

Paul Rotzinger photo | screening to save time Not only would it help the patients Emergency medicine specialists Dr. James Andruchow, left, and Dr. Andrew in shortening that anxiety period, McRae, right, flank former patient Juan Garcia, a participant in a study they but it could also clear the are leading which uses a new, faster blood-screening procedure to determine emergency area in a faster way whether a patient is having a heart attack. Garcia had chest pains and it took “ more more than 12 hours of testing to rule out a heart attack. – Juan Garcia The new screening hopes to have results in about an hour. PAGE 3

Introducing F.I.T. (Fecal Immunochemical Test) Delve deeper at albertapreventscancer.ca PAGE 2 l o c a l l e a d e r s

DR. francois belanger BRENDA HUBAND Zone executive leadership team tanning beds offer danger with ‘the glow’

rad season is upon us and summer will soon be here. In the midst of Gpreparing for summer attire and graduation gowns, many young people I was surprised at choose to head to the tanning salon. But indoor tanning can leave much more how quickly I felt than just a temporary summer glow. Using better after the tanning beds before the age of 35 can The goal of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery second surgery increase your risk of developing melanoma by (ERAS) program is to improve recovery time. “ 59 per cent. – Patient Mary Anne Prosofsky, who And the younger you are, the greater the new ERAS credits her quick recovery after surgery danger. to changes in her care following New legislation passed this spring is aiming implementation of the ERAS project to reduce the impact of artificial tanning, sees improved particularly on young people. Story by Tara Grindle | Once Alberta’s Skin Cancer Prevention Photos by Merle Prosofsky Photography Act is enacted, businesses in Alberta will no recoveries and file | longer be allowed to provide artificial tanning ight and day” – that’s how Mary Anne largest number of patients through ERAS, this services to minors. Advertising of artificial Prosofsky describes the difference means patients stay an average of 7.4 days in tanning services directly targeted at youth will “Nin her recovery time between two hospital compared to 10.4 before ERAS. also be off limits. recent surgeries. She credits a quick “We’ve noticed a significant change There are several common fallacies about recovery after the second surgery to in patients’ energy levels and their indoor tanning. changes made in her care as part of willingness to participate in their own Myth No. 1 is that getting a base tan will Alberta Health Services’ Enhanced care,” says Miranda Klein, the ERAS prevent a burn later on. The reality is a base Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) project. program co-ordinator at the University of tan only provides the equivalent of about “I was surprised at how quickly I felt Alberta Hospital in . SPF 2 (Sun Protection Factor) and is not better after the second surgery,” says She supports patients such as enough to prevent a burn. the 59-year-old Edmonton woman. “I Prosofsky through their surgery journey. prosofsky Myth No. 2 is that tanning beds are a good had more energy and was up sooner.” The ERAS program encourages way to get vitamin D. Wrong! Supplements or ERAS provides consistent ways of managing patients and their families to understand and take drops are a safer and less expensive way to care before, during and after surgery with an aim part in their care. get vitamin D. of helping patients stay strong physically and “Having someone like Miranda was an Myth No. 3 is that artificial tanning is mentally, improving recovery time and reducing awesome resource for helping answer any actually better than the sun’s rays because complications. What began as a pilot project for questions,” says Prosofsky. “The program lays it’s in a controlled environment. The truth is colorectal surgery at three sites in September out what to expect and, if you follow it, you that tanning beds can emit up to 15 times 2013 has expanded to six sites. To date, the will be prepared and feel confident.I didn’t more UVA radiation than the mid-day sun. project has helped close to 1,000 colorectal experience any nausea after the second surgery Just as it’s important to talk to youth about surgery patients get back on their feet sooner by and I was in hospital three days less. Being able responsible alcohol use and safe sex, it’s also reducing fasting times, increasing the intake of to get home sooner was a huge benefit.” important for parents and loved ones to talk carbohydrates and using medications that allow The ERAS pilot project is led by the AHS’ about the dangers of indoor tanning. patients to move and eat soon after surgery. Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition Strategic Clinical For more information, as well as tips and Early data from the first two ERAS pilot sites Network (SCN) along with the support of the tricks on how to talk to your teen about the shows the average length of stay for patients Surgery SCN, which will be spreading the project risks of artificial tanning, visitthebigburn.ca . n has decreased by three days. For the Peter to additional types of surgery and across more Lougheed Centre in Calgary, which has seen the AHS facilities. n What’s on y our MedList? Your entire health care team needs a complete medication list: prescribed medications, inhalers, patches, ointments, eye drops, vitamins – even herbal supplements and nicotine gum.

Your MedList helps your team provide the safest treatment: albertahealthservices.ca/medlist

www.albertahealthservices.ca There are plenty of health care options available. Learn yours by visiting the AHS website. i n y o u r z o n e PAGE 3

screening out heart attack

Emergency medicine specialist Dr. James Andruchow showcases a room at Foothills Medical Centre used to help diagnose cardiac events. Suffering chest pains is bad enough, but having to wait up to 12 hours for testing to rule out a heart attack can be extremely stressful. Now, a blood test may be able to take just a couple of hours to confirm a patient has not had a heart attack, easing pressure on the patient – and the emergency department Story by Greg Harris | Photos by Colin Zak and Paul Rotzinger uan Garcia, a 45-year-old Calgary engineer had a heart attack is through a blood test called save thousands of bed hours of emergency who had bypass surgery in 2012, has seen a troponin assay. The current process requires department space every month.” Jhis share of the health system. repeat blood tests and can take between six The new generation of troponin tests is 10 One day earlier this year he went to the and 12 hours to complete. However, accelerated times more sensitive than the previous version, emergency department at 8 a.m. with chest diagnostic protocols using the new generation which decreases the risk of missed heart pains, but it wasn’t until 9 p.m. that doctors of tests could reduce that to as little as one or attacks. were finally able to rule out a heart attack. two hours, and some patients may be safely If results are interpreted judiciously, it also has “Obviously that period when you’re most discharged following the results of a single a low risk of increased false positives. anxious is when you’re told, ‘We’re just blood test taken on arrival,” Although the new troponin tests are going to take a blood sample, but you says Andruchow, who is also used in a handful of other jurisdictions have to wait and sit for six hours when a clinical assistant professor in and Europe, the best way we’ll draw another blood sample, and in the Cumming School of of harnessing their higher sensitivity hopefully within an hour or two of that Medicine at the University of – without increasing false positives – we’ll get the results,’” says Garcia. Calgary. hasn’t yet been established. So far, That lengthy waiting period that some Troponin is a protein released researchers in the Calgary study haven’t cardiac patients experience could into the bloodstream during a seen a higher rate of false positives. one day be significantly shortened, GARCIA heart attack. McRAE Garcia, who was subsequently depending on the results of a new Dr. Andrew McRae, a co- diagnosed with recurring muscle pain research study underway in the emergency investigator and emergency medicine specialist, that had flared up as a result of his bypass department at Foothills Medical Centre. estimates the four adult acute care emergency surgery, is one study participant who appreciates Researchers are evaluating the reliability of a departments in Calgary combined see 40 the potential benefits of the research. new blood-screening procedure that shortens by or more patients with possible heart attack “Not only would it help the patients in several hours the time it takes for physicians to symptoms every day. shortening that anxiety period, but it could also rule out a heart attack. “It turns out that about 85 per cent of those clear the emergency area in a faster way,” he If the test proves accurate, not only would patients have not experienced a heart attack, says. it improve care for cardiac patients, it would but instead have some other condition with Researchers hope to complete data collection also improve flow in congested emergency similar symptoms, such as heartburn, an upper by the end of 2015. departments. respiratory infection or muscular chest pain,” Anyone experiencing symptoms of a heart “Patients who arrive at hospital with chest says McRae, who is also an assistant professor attack should call 911 and seek immediate pains are given priority because it is essential for in the Department of Community Health medical attention. doctors to quickly identify which patients need Sciences in the Cumming School of Medicine Symptoms often include chest pain or to be treated for a heart attack,” says Dr. James and a member of the O’Brien Institute for Public shortness of breath, but can also include Andruchow, the lead investigator in the study Health. nausea, light-headedness, a fast or irregular and a specialist in emergency medicine. “If the new test could get them admitted or heartbeat, or pain that spreads to the neck, “The only way to confirm that a patient has not safely sent home sooner, it could potentially shoulder or arms. n

A career in health care can be extremely rewarding. Visit the AHS website for career details. www.albertahealthservices.ca PAGE 4 a t y o u r s e r v i c e

Calgary researchers Blood may show are trying to determine if Services in a simple blood test could proof of stroke diagnose a TIA stroke your community Story by Greg Harris | Photo by Paul Rotzinger Mental Health Help line onique Pearce, 44, was sitting at her Alberta Health Services and principal investigator You’re not alone. If you need to talk, call kitchen table having coffee last fall when in the Calgary arm of the study, which is also the Alberta Health Services Mental Health Mshe got the scare of her life. underway in Victoria. Help Line. Get confidential, anonymous The left side of her body began to feel weak, “This could eventually give us the same kind of service, crisis intervention, information the side of her face felt like it was drooping, and blood test used to determine if people with heart about mental health programs and pain shot through the left side of her neck. attack symptoms have sustained damage to the services, referrals to other agencies and “I thought I was having a stroke,” she says. “I heart. It would revolutionize the way we practise.” help if you need it. Call 1.877.303.2642. freaked out. I phoned my husband and he came Strokes and TIAs are among the most common home from work, and then I called my sister, conditions seen in EDs. Every year, roughly who’s a lifeguard.” 75,000 Canadians have a TIA, and another Pearce rushed to the emergency department 75,000 experience an event that mimics a TIA. (ED) at Rockyview General Hospital, where she TIAs can cause permanent brain damage and underwent a battery of tests that included blood about a third of people who have a TIA go on work, an electrocardiogram, X-rays and a CT to have a major stroke, which is a blockage in a (computed tomography) scan. blood vessel in the brain that results in damage She was later referred to Foothills Medical to surrounding tissue. Strokes can be fatal or Centre where, after some additional testing, cause debilitating losses in motor function or doctors presented their diagnosis: migraine. cognitive function, depending on the extent and “I was relieved that it wasn’t something worse location of damage. but, at the same time, I thought, ‘I just went “It’s important to determine if a patient has through all of these tests and used all these had a transient ischemic attack. The challenge medical resources, and it’s only a migraine?’ ” is that the same symptoms of a TIA can indicate Although doctors were able to rule out a other underlying issues, such as migraine, stroke early on, they didn’t know for sure without seizure, psychiatric conditions or carpal tunnel extensive testing whether Pearce had had a syndrome,” Coutts says. Travel Health Services transient ischemic attack (TIA), a stroke that goes Doctors can prescribe medications to people Before you travel outside of Canada, away on its own with little or no damage, but who have suffered a TIA to help prevent a stroke, contact AHS Travel Health Services for which requires medical attention as it carries a or recommend lifestyle changes to reduce the information about the possible risk of significant risk of having a major stroke. risks. In some cases, surgery is necessary. communicable diseases when travelling Now, research at Foothills Medical Centre Symptoms of a stroke include difficulty and ways to prevent them. You can also might one day significantly reduce the time and speaking; sudden loss of strength or feeling in the get your travel immunizations. Book reliance on neuroimaging resources that are face, an arm or leg; sudden vision problems; or a your appointment at least two to three currently required to diagnose a TIA. sudden or unusual headache. Anyone with those months before you leave. For the location “Our goal is to identify and isolate specific symptoms should see a doctor immediately. nearest you, call Health Link Alberta at proteins that are released into the bloodstream Patients who go to the ED at Foothills and 403.943.5465. when someone’s experiencing a transient present with the symptoms of a TIA are eligible ischemic attack,” says Dr. Shelagh Coutts, a to take part in the study. Researchers are looking stroke neurologist with for just over 2,000 study participants. n Childbirth and Parenting Calgary Zone offers 30 different courses for expectant and new families. Topics include pregnancy, childbirth, growth and development, and moms’ health. Go to www.birthandbabies.com and click on “Class Calendar” to find courses.

Breast Cancer and Nutrition This is a nutrition class specifically for women and men with breast cancer. The class is taught by a registered dietitian who explains how to eat to maximize the effectiveness of treatments and how to cope with breast cancer. Classes run on the second and fourth Friday of each month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. No registration required. For more information, contact the Tom Baker Cancer Centre at Stroke neurologist Dr. Shelagh Coutts, left, conducts a basic neurological examination of patient 403.521.3723. Monique Pearce at Foothills Medical Centre. Strategic Clinical SCNs ensure patient & Networks (SCNs) family voices contribute Alberta’s engines of innovation. to health planning and Learn more at www.albertahealthservices.ca/scn decision making.

www.albertahealthservices.ca Do you have concerns about your health? Visit the AHS website for symptom information. h e a l t h c a r e h e r o e s PAGE 5 Visit Us Online

restaurant inspections Public health inspectors ensure compliance with the province’s food regulations. Restaurant inspections occur prior to the opening of a new facility and every four to six months thereafter, or more often if non- compliance with the regulation has been identified. Consumer complaints are investigated, and an inspection may be conducted under Holding an award presented to Alberta Health Services by the , AHS special circumstances, such as a food recall. President and CEO Vickie Kaminski, centre, poses with reservist members of 15 Field Ambulance, To view restaurant inspection reports in your from left: Cmdr. Robert Briggs, CWO Bill Leahy, Capt. Rebecca Patterson, Lt. Vanessa Ferris and area, visit www.albertahealthservices. Sgt. John Todd Ferris. ca/3149.asp. armed forces salute ahs Story by Gregory Kennedy | Photo by Dale MacMillan youtube lberta Health Services (AHS) has been (AHS has) ... gone A new provincewide EMS program honoured with a provincial award from is helping paramedics relieve stress on Athe Canadian Armed Forces for its above and beyond ... palliative care patients and their families as commitment to reservists – the military doctors, in providing leave to well as reducing pressure on emergency nurses and paramedics who work for AHS as allow members to departments. The EMS Palliative and well as serve Canada overseas. “ End of Life Care Assess, Treat and Refer Lt.-Gov. Donald S. Ethell, himself a highly deploy overseas program now allows paramedics to work decorated peacekeeper and humanitarian, – Maj. William Patton with community clinicians to bring care to presented the award to Vickie Kaminski, AHS patients in their home or care facility instead President and CEO, on March 28 at Government “A reservist’s relationship with his or her of automatically transporting them to hospital. House on behalf of 15 Field Ambulance, the employer is central to transitioning into, and In a brief video, Richard Horth talks about province’s Canadian Forces out of, civilian life. AHS has demonstrated how the program helped make his partner’s medical unit, which successfully nominated AHS extraordinary and consistent support for both wish to die at home possible: http://youtu. for the honour. the educational and operational needs of our be/zNMpJuKCyZs. “We’re very proud of the commitment and reservists within its employment.” accomplishments of our reservists both here at Maj. William Patton agrees. Alberta Health Services and for serving Canada “AHS gives people the time off to capture those overseas,” says Kaminski. “We also benefit career courses, to make them a better officer, FACEBOOK greatly here in Alberta from the operational skills or to make them a better soldier, attend field they learn from the military.” exercises, or to do an overseas deployment,” We just got even friendlier. “Alberta stands apart from the rest of Canada says Patton, an Edmonton emergency Now the best Alberta health in the support it provides military members both physician and reservist medical officer who has info online is mobile friendly. within the community and in times of need,” commanded a military hospital in Afghanistan. Go to http://bit.ly/1isUq1E. says Cmdr. Robert Briggs, who leads the unit. Current members of Alberta’s only reserve “AHS not only rose to the occasion during the medical unit have seen action in Afghanistan, the . Afghanistan conflict in its care and rehabilitation Golan Heights, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Egypt, of ill and injured soldiers, but it continues to along with peacetime exercises around the globe. TWITTER display its unwavering commitment to reservists.” At home, its members stepped up for the Follow your zone at AHS_YYCZone: 15 Field Ambulance has about 100 members, southern Alberta floods in 2013, theV ancouver • Young children have the highest risk of a third of whom work for AHS in Edmonton and Olympics in 2010, and forest fires inB .C. in 2003. #poisoning because of their natural curiosity. Calgary. Patton says AHS has “certainly gone above Keep the #PADIS phone number handy: Gary Agnew, Alberta Chair of the Canadian and beyond expectations in providing leave to 1.800.332.1414. Forces Liaison Committee (CFLC), the group allow members to deploy overseas on operations • Why is it important to get enough calcium that chose AHS to be given its Provincial Award for six months or more. and vitamin D? Learn the answer at http://bit. for Support to the Canadian Forces Domestic “All the good things we do here at AHS – not ly/1y8F6mD. Operations, credits AHS for its progressive least of which is excellence in clinical care – we • #Tobacco dependency is not simply a approach to reservists. bring into the military. We bring back to AHS matter of good or bad choices. It’s highly “Maintaining a balance between civilian and some of the good things about the army, such as addictive and marketed to be appealing: @ military life is complicated,” says Agnew. civic pride, organization and teamwork.” n AlbertaQuits.

Download the AHS mobile app for iPhone or Android H • Emergency department wait times • Health care locator • More… www.albertahealthservices.ca/mobile.asp

For the latest health news updates in your zone, visit the AHS website. www.albertahealthservices.ca PAGE 6 o u r p a r t n e r s $ 71.8 million hospital’s ‘living dolls’ The amount raised by Calgary Zone’s 11 foundations and trusts in 2014* keep medical skills on track *In addition to $35.2 million raised provincially by the Alberta Cancer Foundation Story by Kerri Robins | Photo courtesy Lisa Kulas ou could say Claresholm General our medical staff are to the mannequin’s vital signs that might happen Hospital’s newest ‘patients’ are absolute able to continually in a real emergency, for example, a drop in blood Ydolls. pressure, prompting staff who may then need to And you’d be correct – they’re high-tech practise their skills change their diagnosis and treatment. medical mannequins used in practise scenarios. using simulations Training events are held once every two “Our training mannequins help physicians, “ months, offering two separate scenarios for nursing staff and patients by providing – Art Scott, Chair of the Claresholm groups of four to five. Since the mannequins training scenarios in a calm, safe and relaxed & District Health Foundation, arrived, four training events have been held. environment for staff,” says Barry Arnestad, which funded two training mannequins “We have to keep our skills updated, especially clinical educator and developer of the training for the Claresholm General Hospital with new knowledge and technology,” Jones events at the hospital. says. “Holding a simulated hands-on emergency “Not only are staff given the opportunity to pressure, higher pulse or a smaller airway.” is far more beneficial than sitting in a classroom.” practise their medical skills, but they can ask And these mannequins are no dummies. They Art Scott, Chair of the Claresholm & District questions and learn new skills while getting used resemble real patients, complete with vital signs Health Foundation, realizes the value in holding to what a real situation would be like.” such as blood pressure and heart rate. simulated emergencies. Thanks to funding through the Claresholm Generally, the event starts with a ‘patient’ with “Our medical staff are able to continually & District Health Foundation, the hospital no pulse. The nurse first on the scene calls the practise their skills using simulations,” says purchased two training mannequins last appropriate code – for example, a Code Blue Scott. “Our community is wonderful in helping October: one adult male and one pediatric. is cardiac arrest – and begins CPR. Staff and us raise the funds needed to provide training Costing about $6,500, the adult mannequin physicians join in and, using a heart monitor mannequins.” represents adults over age 18 and, aside from to record heart rate, pulse, and breathing, a For more information, visit www.claresholm obstetrical issues such as a complicated birth, diagnosis and treatment are determined. anddistricthealthfoundation.com. n is used in training sessions for both sexes. The Arnestad also uses a monitor to make changes pediatric mannequin cost roughly $4,500 and represents children aged five to 12. Dr. Jeff Jones is happy with the opportunities the mannequins provide. “The best way for our staff to respond calmly in emergency situations is to be well-trained so they feel confident providing the best possible diagnoses and treatment outcomes,” says Jones. “Training scenarios ultimately benefit our patients by helping us provide quality care gained by keeping our medical knowledge current.” Health care staff work with Arnestad to determine where extra training is required so it can be customized. However, scenarios can also be random and staff don’t know the scenario ahead of time. “Cardiac arrests are common, so a lot of our training centres on scenarios like heart attacks,” Arnestad says. “But we use our pediatric mannequins, as well, because children present with Registered nurse Darlene Jensen-Slot, Dr. Jeff Jones, student nurse Kelsey Dunlop and clinical educator Barry different vital signs like lower blood Arnestad, from left, in a training scenario on an adult mannequin at the Claresholm General Hospital.

Health Advisory Councils Listening to Communities. Join the Conversation. Connect today: 1-877-275-8830

[email protected] www.albertahealthservices.ca/hac.asp

www.albertahealthservices.ca Giving is healthy: contact your local foundation or Health Advisory Council today. o u r p a r t n e r s PAGE 7 Foundations & Health Trusts

photo courtesy Del Paquette Photography Dr. Brian Doran, a general practitioner at the Foothills Family Medical Centre, demonstrates the King Vision Laryngoscope on Tanya Thorn of the Sheep River Health Trust. “We have difficulty accessing some patients’ airways, so the King Vision Laryngoscope provides a video of the airway, making it easier for us to insert a breathing tube,” says Doran. Thanks to funding from the Sheep River Health Trust, the Oilfields General Hospital in Black Diamond was able to purchase this lifesaving equipment.

Funding equipment is another example of how Foundations across Alberta help improve local health care. Your donations – or gift of time – make big impacts in your community. Contact your local Foundation and give a gift today.

Support your local Foundation Calgary Zone • Airdrie Health Foundation • Canmore & Area Health Care Foundation • Alberta Cancer Foundation • High River District Health Care Foundation Calgary • Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation • Rosebud Health Foundation Zone • Calgary Health Trust • Sheep River Health Trust • Claresholm & District Health Foundation • Strathmore District Health Foundation • EMS Foundation • Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation

www.albertahealthservices.ca/give PAGE 8 i n b r i e f barrier-free Campus garners praise he South Health Campus was recently Health Services work to nurture and support our newest hospital and was designed for lauded for architectural accessibility patients in an environment free from barriers,” accessibility, including automatic revolving Tas the recipient of the Percy Wickman says Brenda Huband, AHS Vice President and doors sized to accommodate wheelchairs, the Accessibility Award. The award is given to a Chief Health Operations Officer, in accepting the incorporation of barrier-free counter tops, and new or newly renovated facility that has gone award. “Our aim is to provide universal access power-operated patient-lift systems in inpatient above and beyond to ensure the site is fully to everyone – giving Albertans the care they rooms. The entire campus has also been built wheelchair accessible. need, when and where they need it.” with extra-wide walkway systems carefully “Every day, staff and physicians with Alberta The South Health Campus is Alberta’s graded to ensure barrier-free accessibility. n

Calgary Zone calgary executive leadership team: rewarding job Dr. Francois Belanger zone Brenda Huband an awarding one local leadership AHS embraces local leadership and zone-based decision-making. Here in Calgary and area, front-line Story and photo by Janet Mezzarobba | physicians and clinical leaders at every level of the organization have joint planning and decision- making authority with operational leaders, meaning faster decisions closer to where care is provided. BC news anchor Tom Brokaw once said, “It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” alberta: N This statement couldn’t be truer when talking about Peter Lougheed Centre volunteer Orleen Holmes, who recently won the Senior Volunteer of the Year award from Calgary’s Sikh Community. zone by zone Holmes was selected for the award for her service to patients and families who come to the Peter Lougheed Hospital, and for calgary zone her volunteer efforts both in her church community and the Calgary Population: 1,408,606 • Life expectancy: 82.9 years • Hospitals: 14 community as a whole. ”I am filled with gratitude as I did not expect to be rewarded for this. I am very humbled,” says Holmes, edmonton zone who began volunteering at the Peter Lougheed Population: 1,186,121 Centre in 2006, and currently volunteers at the • Life expectancy: 81.8 years • Hospitals: 13 hospital close to 50 hours a week. “Orleen is an invaluable member of our volunteer north zone team,” says Cathy Walling, Program Assistant for Population: 447,740 Volunteer Resources at the Peter Lougheed Centre. • Life expectancy: 79.8 years • Hospitals: 34 HOLMES “She performs many different tasks at the hospital including greeting patients, helping patients find central zone their way around the hospital, training new volunteers, and helping Population: 453,469 with patient-orientation packages. Many patients have said Orleen is • Life expectancy: 80.7 years • Hospitals: 30 incredibly welcoming, helpful, kind, thoughtful, and reassuring. She is exactly what scared, nervous and uncertain patients need to make SOUTH zone them feel better. Population: 289,661 “I wish I could clone her.” • Life expectancy: 80.3 years • Hospitals: 14 As for Holmes, she says volunteering is her calling. “I feel I have found my passion,” says Holmes. “The inner To find the hospitals, services, facilities satisfaction and knowing that I am helping others is how I get paid. I and programs in your zone, please visit could not have a more rewarding job.” n albertahealthservices.ca/FacilitySearch.

Zone News Editor, Zone News – Calgary Zone is published here’s CALGARY Zone: Janet Mezzarobba monthly by Alberta Health Services to FSC LOGO Email: [email protected] inform Albertans of the programs and (printer places on) Mail: 10301 Southport Lane S.W. services available to them, and of the work Calgary, Alberta, T2W 1S7 being done to improve the health care This paper has been certified to meet how to Layout and design: Kit Poole system in their communities. the environmental and social standards [email protected] of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) IMAGING: Michael Brown To see Calgary’s Zone News online, visit and comes from well-managed forests reach us www.albertahealthservices.ca/5826.asp and other responsible sources.

It’s scary when your child is sick, but in most cases I am worried you don’t need to go to the emergency department. about my child If you’re unsure, we’re here to help Health Link Alberta: 1.866.408.5465 albertahealthservices.ca/options

Emergency is here for you if you need it. Use it wisely.

www.albertahealthservices.ca Be sure to visit our website for health advisories around the province.