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SOUTH ZONE NEWS ZONE YOUR HEALTH CARE IN YOUR COMMUNITY 2012 SEPTEMBER BRUSHED WITH SUCCESS ASSESSMENTS SHOULD NOT TAKE Photo by James Frey | Aster Jonker, 2, gets some big-time toothbrush instruction from Natasha Burian, a THE PLACE OF ... registered dental hygienist with Alberta Health Services. The little girl is learning her chops “ as part of a provincial Oral Health Action Plan, aimed at promoting dental health in high- DENTAL VISITS risk populations. And the best thing for eligible parents? The plan – which encompasses — Dental hygienist Natasha Burian assessment, education and fluoride varnish and sealants – is free. PAGE 4 ONCOLOGY DUO SOMETHING JOINS TEAM TO DREAM ABOUT It’s good news for cancer patients in Never shut your eyes to the value of a southern Alberta as two oncologists have good night’s sleep. Not enough rest can signed on with Lethbridge’s Jack Ady lead to a list of ailments, including memory Cancer Centre. That means expanded loss, depression, reduced immune function treatment in their area ... and a lot less and low libido. We’ll tell you how to change travel time. PAGE 3 your sleep habits. PAGE 6 PAGE 2 L O C A L L E A D E R S Dr. Vanessa Maclean, South Zone Medical Director, and Sean Chilton, Senior Vice-President. ZONING IN ON Leona Ferguson, above, says feedback is key to meeting health care challenges in rural Alberta. YOUR CONCERNS Welcome to the inaugural issue of Zone GOING THE DISTANCE News, a new, monthly Alberta Health Services (AHS) publication that aims to For Leona Ferguson, rural Alberta’s Director of Health Services, inform Albertans about the work being done small-town living doesn’t mean a lack of excellent patient care to improve the delivery of health care in their Story by Stephanie Jo | Photo by Janine Sakatch communities. Transparency is one of our organization’s mall communities can have big health Ferguson believes living in rural communities seven core values and this publication is care concerns, says Leona Ferguson. doesn’t mean a lack of excellent patient care. just one way we wish to shed light on what S And dealing with those issues is her “I love working with communities. I know more we’re doing and what we’re planning to No. 1 goal. people and patients because the communities do in order to best meet your health care “I have an opportunity to work closely with are smaller,” says Ferguson. “And the staff and needs, now and in the future. communities and I can find out what they need physicians know the people coming into the One of the things we did last year to and how our services can match those needs,” facilities. The most important thing, from a health improve our health system was to embrace says Ferguson, Director of Health Services in aspect, is we can hear how things are going.” zone-based, local decision-making. rural Alberta. Ferguson recognizes the importance of Right here in southern Alberta, front- Ferguson recognizes the challenges patients feedback. She uses Alberta Health Services’ line physicians and other clinical leaders face living in rural communities, especially when Community Needs Assessment to seek a better have joint planning and decision-making they aren’t able to travel for specialty care. level of communication between health care authority, meaning faster decision-making “There are limitations – such as long distances workers and members of the community. closer to where care is provided. to urban hospitals or the patient’s health – that “It allows us to understand the challenges from Our dedicated and hard-working teams can make it difficult to travel,” she says. both sides and to more effectively take action. of staff, physicians and volunteers provide Ferguson and her team use the local services “It’s not always good feedback, but it’s high-quality care and services guided by available, such as Telehealth, a videoconference something that we need to hear and address,” our AHS values of respect, accountability, technology that allows doctors and patients says Ferguson. “Positive feedback from the transparency, engagement, learning, safety provincewide to meet ‘virtually’ face-to-face. community means we’re on the right track.” and performance. “We’ve been using Telehealth quite a bit. Our At 62, Ferguson finds it difficult to think about We hope that patients, families and loved patients don’t need to leave the community and retiring. ones are already benefitting from zone- they can speak with specialists directly,” says “I can’t think of anything better than continuing based, local decision-making in a real, Ferguson. “The communication is great and it’s to work with members of the community, staff tangible way. wonderful to see our technological services are and physicians to provide services for patients We invite you to read Zone News every being used to benefit the patients.” and make a difference.” n month to learn about programs, services and technologies that are improving the HERE’S HOW YOU CAN REACH US health and quality of life of people living in southern Alberta. ZONE NEWS EDITOR, Zone News – South Zone is published We hope you find the information in every SOUTH ZONE: James Frey monthly by Alberta Health Services to inform issue interesting but, moreso, we hope the PHONE: Albertans of the programs and services information will guide you to the programs 403.388.6313 available to them, and of the work being done and services that help you, your family and EMAIL: to improve the health care system in their your community to be as active and healthy [email protected] communities. as possible. MAIL: The paper used by Zone News is certified Dr. Vanessa Maclean, 900, 400 4 Ave. S. by the Forest Stewardship Council, an South Zone Medical Director Lethbridge, Alberta international, non-profit organization that Sean Chilton, T1J 4E1 promotes sustainable, responsibly managed Senior Vice-President LAYOUT AND DESIGN: Kit Poole forests. www.albertahealthservices.ca Suffer from migraines? Avoid triggers, including stress, alcohol, foods such as chocolate, bright lights and strong odours. I N Y O U R Z O N E PAGE 3 IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WAY TOUGHER IF I HAD TO GO UP TO CALGARY “ FOR TREATMENT — Cancer patient Bette Jean Scott SOUTHERN CANCER CARE GETS BOOST Oncology duo signs on with Lethbridge’s Jack Ady Cancer Centre Story by James Stevenson | Photos by Tara Grindle he hiring of two medical oncologists at the Jack Ady TCancer Centre in Lethbridge means local Albertans dealing with cancer can get expanded treatment and services where they live. “To have two doctors there means we can spell each other off; we can discuss Above: cancer patient Bette Jean Scott with Dr. Charles cases with each other,” says Dr. Malcolm Butts. Insets: Jack Ady Cancer Centre’s new oncologists, Brigden, who has been practising in Dr. Malcolm Brigden, left, and Dr. Faraj El-Gehani. Sault Ste. Marie in northern Ontario. “It just makes it so much more exciting and a and the South Zone medical leadership,” says an expanded slate of services, including more fulfilling practice.” Grundy. “We’re developing a cancer program combined chemo-radiation therapy for certain Brigden will begin treating southern Alberta in the Lethbridge area that’s able to attract cancers. cancer patients this month as the Medical specialists in wide demand.” The bottom line is a positive one for cancer Director and staff medical oncologist at the Jack The Jack Ady Cancer Centre has been without patients in southern Alberta. Ady Cancer Centre. a permanent medical oncologist since March, “Our patients receive the very best care Dr. Faraj El-Gehani, who’s completing his when Dr. David Holland retired after 23 years available,” says specialty training at the Cross Cancer Institute of practice. In the interim, impact on cancer Grundy. “And in Edmonton, will join Brigden as a staff medical patients in Lethbridge and the surrounding area our physicians oncologist. was mitigated by medical oncologists from have a world- Pincher Creek resident Bette Jean Scott Edmonton and Calgary who visit Lethbridge class clinical knows the benefits of being able to receive every week to help care for patients. and research cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and “We appreciate Dr. Holland’s contribution to environment in radiation therapy closer to home. cancer care and internal medicine in Alberta,” which to achieve “I’ve been told by a lot of people that I’ve had says Dr. Charles Butts, Medical Director of their potential.” n a real positive state of mind about having cancer, Community Oncology. “When he informed us but it would have been way tougher if I had to go of his retirement plans, we began actively up to Calgary for treatment,” says Scott. recruiting.” Medical oncologists specialize in diagnosing The two new cancer specialists will work and treating cancer through the use of with radiation oncologists on-site, providing chemotherapy and other therapies. They also work with health experts at the cancer centre in managing all aspects of a patient’s cancer care. OUR PATIENTS RECEIVE Dr. Paul Grundy, Senior Vice-President of THE VERY BEST CARE Alberta Health Services (AHS) Cancer Care, says recruiting medical oncologists is a challenge AVAILABLE. AND OUR across the country, with only about 15 Canadian PHYSICIANS HAVE A graduates each year. “ WORLD-CLASS “The fact we were able to recruit an accomplished doctor from out of province and CLINICAL AND retain an individual in whom we have invested RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT many years of training in Alberta is a testament — Dr. Paul Grundy, right to the collaborative efforts of AHS Cancer Care Aim to eat less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day (1 tsp.