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Your Health Care in Your Community 2014 MAY

Photo courtesy the Peace River Fire Department | as I’m waiting for the flames most excellent! to get pushed back, the guy Peace River Fire Chief Lance Bushie, right, presents Peace River EMT Rick moved his arm Bergen with the Chiefs Coin for Excellence for Bergen’s part in helping save the life of a trucker whose vehicle was on fire. The gesture is a testament to “— Rick Bergen, Peace River emergency medical technician the teamwork between Health Services, fire and police, who daily work together to put the lives of Albertans first. PAGE 2

Nursing: A Leading Force for Change Nursing Week, May 12-18, 2014 Alberta Health Services celebrates the everyday and the extraordinary contributions of nurses to the people in our province. PAGE 2 l o c a l l e a d e r s

DR. KEVIN WORRY coin proves mettle of man North Zone executive leadership team member For EMT Rick Bergen, helping save a life was all in a day’s work, but the Peace River Fire Department decided it was a mark of Excellence national week Story by Kirsten Goruk | Photo courtesy the Peace River Fire Department | You do calls that salutes nurses oing above and beyond the call of duty rock your world, urses are a critical part of any health care is a regular occurrence for those in the where everything team. National Nursing Week is a great way Gbusiness of saving lives. Nto recognize and thank nursing staff, and But Peace River emergency medical “ goes right celebrate their contributions to the health and well- technician (EMT) Rick Bergen has received a – Rick Bergen, an AHS EMT awarded being of all Canadians. rare award – the Chiefs Coin for Excellence – the Chiefs Coin for Excellence, inset below, Running May 12 to 18 this year, the mantra of from the Peace River Fire Department for the by the Peace River Fire Department National Nursing Week is again, ‘A Leading Force part he played in getting an injured trucker out for Change.’ At Alberta Health Services (AHS), of his rig as the vehicle was on fire. on-call firefighter, readied himself for what they nurses have helped lead the way in a number of “I was very surprised, not expecting the would find. initiatives over the past year in the North Zone. award at all,” says Bergen. “I guess ‘shocked’ “In my mind, I was going over there to The Access Improvement Measures project (AIM) is a better term.” pronounce somebody as dead,” he says. is helping to decrease immunization wait times for children and their families. Launched by Public Nonetheless, Peace River Fire Chief Lance “Either A, we couldn’t access them, or B, they Health staff in , the project identified Bushie explains the award is for exceptional were already dead. Looking at that wreck, it ways to improve efficiency during appointments. Its actions. was one or the other.” findings are being shared in different communities “It allows us to recognize people for acts of The quick response from the St. Isadore hitchin’ across the zone. Rates of immunization have also honour,” Bushie says. “We came up with the Fire Department and Northern Sunrise Fire increased since the project began. idea last year and it’s based on coins that are Department allowed emergency responders to Staff in Lac La Biche played a key role in keeping given out in the Canadian military. We haven’t access the burning vehicle. residents calm and safe this January after a burst given out many, only three so far for “As they were doing that, I’m standing pipe forced the evacuation of the LacAlta Lodge for acts of service.” back and I see the tractor-trailer a ride seniors. Health care aides, home care workers, and The fact that an EMT with driver’s arm sticking out of a pile RNs worked with staff at the facility to keep track of Alberta Health Services received of sand in the door frame. As medications for residents temporarily relocated to an award from the fire department I’m waiting for the flames to get continuing care centres elsewhere in the area. – a completely separate pushed back, the guy moved his Public Health nurses in Grande Prairie helped develop a new class to help expectant moms organization – is an example of arm,” Bergen says. prepare for breastfeeding before baby arrives. the collaboration and teamwork The impact of the crash had The Prenatal Breastfeeding class began as a between those who put the lives of broken both the side and front pilot project to help encourage breastfeeding and Albertans first. windows on the truck, with sand address common problems that many new moms “Every day, AHS EMS works in coming in through the roof of the cabin. can face. The class is now offered by Public Health partnership with fire and police personnel to After seeing the driver’s arm move, the team nurses and lactation consultants every two months help make a difference in our communities,” sprang into action. at the Grande Prairie Public Health Centre. says Aaron Thordarson, Manager of EMS With the help of paramedic Gary Fenton, We know from the letters and cards and words of Clinical Operations for the Peace River Region. firefighters and RCMP officers, they were able thanks nurses receive that the impact they have on “This is a shining example of how these to safely dig out the man, pull him from the patients every day is felt on a very personal level. partnerships can change and save lives.” wreckage and get him to one of the three The impact of those interactions is felt by patients’ It all began the morning of Feb. 17; Peace ambulances at the scene. families and loved ones, as well, who also benefit River EMS got the kind of call that changes “I haven’t taken credit for saving a life and from a kind or understanding word or support lives. Bergen was one of the first EMTs to arrive I will not take credit for saving a life,” Bergen during a difficult time. Examples of this can be found anywhere nurses can be found, throughout on scene. emphasizes. “A lot of people have said that, but the North Zone and across the province. “The call we were going to was a two-vehicle pure luck saved that gentleman.” Nursing staff account for more than half of the collision about seven km east of Peace River. The man rescued from the truck was clinical workforce within AHS, and play a leading As we pulled up on scene, we saw a sand transferred to the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital for role in the delivery of health care to Albertans. truck and a tractor-trailer unit in the ditch,” further treatment and eventually released. Working with other health care providers in the Bergen recalls. “The sand truck was on fire and Bergen says he thrives in EMS. AHS team, nurses are found in various settings. you could tell that there was a pretty massive “There are days that are a challenge and days From hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices, to impact because the box of the sand truck was you feel you’ve actually done some good,” he schools, correctional facilities, or long-term care torn off the frame.” says. “You do calls that rock your world, where settings, they strive to provide compassionate As they got closer, dispatch informed the everything goes right. You get a pulse back care wherever they’re needed, while empowering crew there was a black tag, someone who had or the patient improves before you get to the Albertans toward healthier lifestyle options. n died. Bergen, who also works as a casual paid hospital.” n

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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

hitchin’ HEAaD ride HEAD The only common thing about an average day in the life of an Alberta Kirsten Goruk photo | Health Services Emergency Paramedics Deb Wnuk and Dean Provencher get their ambulance ready to go. Recently, North Medical Services Zone News writer Kirsten Goruk had a chance to tag along on a shift with the Grande Prairie team. paramedic is that there are no ‘average’ days. As North For EMS paramedics, not every day is a race against time, but every Zone News writer Kirsten Goruk day they’re on duty makes a difference in the lives of their patients discovers, every moment on an EMS other breathing-related diseases, we race out to “You have to make sure that you manage your ridealong offers a new challenge. the ambulance. personal life and your professional life so that you Provencher pulls up the call information on maintain a balance. Otherwise you’re not taking ot every ride-along with Emergency a laptop. Once a call goes out over the radio care of yourself.” Medical Services (EMS) is an adrenaline- dispatch system and a crew responds, all details n n n Nfilled, non-stop day of high-profile calls. are transmitted digitally. Our second and last call of the shift is for Sometimes staff get to witness another side to The call is for a lift assist for a 65-year-old a 90-year-old female with an altered level of the job, the everyday, vital service that Alberta male. When we arrive on scene, Provencher consciousness. This one is ‘hot,’ so we take off Health Services (AHS) provides to those in need, and Wnuk slip seamlessly into work mode. They from the station with lights and sirens blaring. no matter what the call entails. assess the situation, ask a series of questions The patient explains that she just hasn’t been A few months ago I tagged along for a shift and determine the best way to lift him safely. feeling well over the past few days. Wnuk and at the Grande Prairie EMS Station. It was a n n n Provencher check her vitals, including blood dark and freezing Monday morning when I There are a few more hours before our next pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar. was met with smiles from my crew for the day, call comes in. In that time we catch the tail end The decision is made to bring her into the QEII paramedics Dean Provencher and Deb Wnuk. of rounds and return to the station where Wnuk Hospital for additional testing. As we arrive to “I think my interests have always been in the and Provencher get to work tidying up the place. transfer care to emergency department staff, medical field,” says Provencher, who’s capped Wnuk explains that their system for cleaning Provencher mentions that, while these kinds of the 10-year mark with AHS. is similar to that of a firehouse where everyone calls aren’t dramatic or adrenaline-filled, a lot of His partner Wnuk has 14 years experience with works together. EMS calls do involve caring for Grande Prairie’s EMS, but she works as a casual employee with I quiz them about their jobs, what kinds of aging population. In 2013, an AHS report AHS and spends the majority of her time with the calls they’ve gone on, how the schedules work showed that an estimated 64 per cent of North Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society’s (STARS) air – there’s a mixture of nights and days usually Zone EMS patients were over the age of 65. ambulance. with four days off in between – and the area Regardless of what each call ends up being or “I was always interested in what ambulances they cover, which is halfway to places including who it involves, Provencher and Wnuk agree that do. My goal has always been to work rotary, Grande Cache, Beaverlodge and Valleyview. what they love most about their job is the chance fixed-wing and ground ambulance,” she says of Both agree that they tend not to rehash or to help people, to make a difference. ‘multitasking’. “I get bored easily.” tell war stories about the tough calls. Some “The reason I love being a paramedic is n n n paramedics do, others don’t. If there’s something because of the patients,” says Wnuk. “We don’t The tones go off hours into our shift, just as to be learned, they do go over that with other get a lot of thank-yous and we don’t expect or we arrive at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital to staff for experience and support. need them, but when a patient does come back take part in Monday morning rounds. Instead “You get to see a lot of stuff in this job that you and say, ‘Thank you,’ it means so much and of settling in for a discussion about asthma and wouldn’t even think of,” Provencher says. makes the job that much more rewarding.” n you have to ... maintain a balance. otherwise you’re not taking care of yourself “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 ’s Healthy Living Program celebrates five years of helping people with chronic conditions get up and at ’em Services in program puts I haven’t had pain your community in that leg since people back – Ron Sutherland, 67, who joined “ the Whitecourt Healthy Living on track Program to help him cope with pain after having both Story by Lisa Peters | hips replaced

on Sutherland first heard about the physiotherapy assistant. “After the education Whitecourt Healthy Living Program piece is complete, we spend an hour doing Rthrough some friends at the Royal different exercises, which vary from spending Canadian Legion. Having had both of his hips time in the swimming pool, the field house, replaced by 2012 and being newly retired, he or attending different fitness classes such as Healthy Living Program thought it would a good place to help him get zumba, TRX, or chair yoga.” Alberta Healthy Living Program consists back on track to being active. Sessions are held at the Allan & Jean Millar of three complementary pillars: education “I had some pain in one leg from the second Centre. Levels 2 and 3 of the program are more classes, the Better Choices Better Health operation and, after speaking with my doctor independent, but still offer support and exercise Self Management Program, and the about this, he agreed that I should look into the regimes to participants. exercise program. Participating in all three Healthy Living Program,” says Sutherland, 67. “The first year the program was held, in 2009, pillars can help you manage a chronic After an assessment with an Alberta Health we had about 20 people go through the eight- health condition. The 2.5-hour sessions Services (AHS) physiotherapist, Sutherland week program, says Perkins. “Now, we have cover topics such as diabetes, blood began the program in 2013. about 20 people per class, for a total of about 70 pressure, cholesterol and healthy eating. “I haven’t had pain in that leg since,” says people a year.” n Call your local community health centre for Sutherland. more information. His is one of the many success stories of the Whitecourt Healthy Screen Test Mobile Living Program, which Mammography celebrated its five-year Screen Test provides mammography anniversary in February. screening to women ages 50 to 69 – the Targeted at residents age group most at risk of developing who are living with or breast cancer – in rural communities at risk of developing a where the service isn’t regularly available. chronic disease, such The program is coming to the following as diabetes, cancer, or North Zone communities: asthma, the program • Vegreville: May 8, 9, 10, 12, 13. is unique to Whitecourt • Lamont: May 14-16. and continues to grow. • : May 21-23. The Whitecourt • : May 27-29. Healthy Living • John d’Or Prairie: June 3-4. Program is offered in • : June 5-6. three different levels. Appointments fill up quickly. To All participants are book your appointment, confirm dates assessed before they and locations, or to inquire about begin Level 1, which is upcoming North Zone stops, call toll-free offered twice a week for 1.800.667.0604. For more information, eight weeks. visit www.screeningforlife.ca/screentest. Each session is two hours. The first hour features an education Aboriginal Health session with health Aboriginal Health helps Aboriginal experts, including a patients and families during their hospital dietitian, pharmacist, stays and connects them to health tobacco-reduction services and programs in their home counsellor and a nurse communities. Aboriginal Health Program educator or respiratory staff work within communities to create therapist. partnerships in areas of public health, “Throughout the prevention, promotion and chronic disease eight weeks, we management. For more information, feature 16 different contact Bev Moylan at bev.moylan2@ education topics,” says Ron Sutherland stays fit and healthy with support from Whitecourt albertahealthservices.ca. Lyndsay Perkins, AHS Healthy Living program leads Jessica Hein, left, and Lyndsay Perkins.

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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 something to talk about Visit Us Online When ‘Tiny Teacher’ Ryder Surkan acts up in class, Health Care Locator Find the right health care for you and your he aces a course in helping students learn the Roots of Empathy family with the AHS website’s Health Care Story by Mark Evans | Photo by Kari Whan Locator. You can search for hospitals and Even students who facilities, and health care programs and s a student teacher, Ryder Surkan has services in and near your community. Go to started young – very young. were hesitant to www.albertahealthservices.ca and choose The six-month-old works with speech A share and express Find Health Care to explore your options. language assistant Margaret Walker to engage their feelings have children in the Grade 3 classroom at Cold Lake “ Check Out Events Elementary School. opened up and Find out what Alberta Health Services Ryder is the ‘Tiny Teacher’ for the Roots of interacted with events, workshops and information sessions Empathy program that Walker delivers in the ryder are happening in your area. Visit www. classroom. albertahealthservices.ca and select News Roots of Empathy is a non-profit organization – Kari Whan, Grade 3 teacher and Events. Then choose your zone to see that aims to build caring societies through the at Cold Lake Elementary School the listings. development of empathy. For the past several years, Walker has worked in literacy skill-building activities suddenly start Active Living in the school providing Alberta Health Services participating when it involves the visiting baby. Being physically active is an important part (AHS) speech services to students. A couple of “Incorporating Margaret into actual classroom of your health. It can help you years ago she learned of the Roots of Empathy activities and curriculum is fantastic. She control your weight, program that teaches children empathy and reaches every one of my students on a regular reduce stress, involves regular visits from a family basis,” says Kari Whan, the Grade 3 teacher. lower your risk of and their baby. With this program, “The students are so interested in what disease, and give students at the school are part of the baby can do each time he comes. you more energy Ryder’s life and watch him grow They notice little things he can do that to enjoy life. and learn throughout the year. he couldn’t before. Even students who AHS supports “The kids just tune in; they are were hesitant to share and express their numerous interactive and take ownership, so feelings have opened up and interacted programs that other skills emerge.” says Walker. with Ryder.” promote active “Speech and language support That result is something Mary Gordon, living and support that may have been delivered one- Roots of Empathy founder and Alberta communities on-one to an individual president, says is the goal of in becoming more child is complemented in a the program. physically active. Go to www. community setting to “Children learn the various MyHealth.Alberta.ca for more information benefit all children.” ways a non-verbal baby on how to include physical activity in your Roots of Empathy communicates and they see daily routine. activities aim to build how to nurture that,” Gordon social literacy and says. Online Payments include storytelling, Ryder’s mom, Rachelle AHS now has online payment options describing, taking Surkan, echoes that sentiment. for AHS accounts receivable (invoices/ turns, following “It is so wonderful to watch statements), food permits (Environmental direction, listening and the students engage in Public Health) and parking services. Visit problem solving. questions and conversations www.albertahealthservices.ca/pay.asp And children who Walker when we come into the for more information and to find out what struggled to get participating classroom,” says Surkan. invoices can be paid online. “The program seems to help students express their thoughts and feelings.” TWITTER For more information Follow us at AHS_NorthZone: about the Roots of • Learn more about the important role of Empathy program, #nursepractitioners at the #SlaveLake FCC: contact Sandy Vigrass at www.albertahealthservices.ca/9684.asp. 403.410.3808. n • For information about contact with household Speech language chemicals, visit #PADIS assistant Margaret (Poison & Drug Walker gets a little Information Service): help from fellow Roots www.alberta of Empathy teacher, healthservices.ca/ six-month-old Ryder 5423.asp. Surkan, in the Grade 3 • Washing and chopping whole vegetables class at Cold Lake instead of buying pre-cut ones will cost less. Elementary School. Go to #healthyeating.

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 $4.3million BUILDING FOUNDATIONS OF CARE The amount raised Your Foundation | Your Community | Your Health | Your Gift Matters by North Zone’s Story by Kerri Robins | 15 foundations in 2013 f you have built castles in the air, $200 million annually, we’ve seen right time no matter where they live in the your work need not be lost; that is some amazing work enabled by our province,” says Cowell. where they should be. Now put the foundations,” says Dr. John Cowell, “These transformative changes can foundation under them.” AHS Official Administrator. “From only occur in conjunction with our partner — Henry David Thoreau compassionate long-term care for our foundations and the perspective they “I (1817-1862) seniors to groundbreaking pediatric bring through the eyes of Albertans.” Jump ahead 150 years and Thoreau’s research, the depth of community care COWELL According to a 2012 Statistics Canada sentiment is as relevant now as it was when he people show each other is outstanding.” article Charitable Giving by Canadians, said it. He is pleased with the partnership AHS Alberta led the way in average donations Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) 66 affiliated enjoys with foundations and health trusts. of $562 per person in 2010. foundations and health trusts continue building “We have a great future in health care And, when one looks at the larger and supporting foundations of quality local health for our province and our foundations picture, Canadians’ donations to health care for Albertans using their strongest assets – contribute to that collective vision that and hospitals totalled more than Albertans and loyal donors. makes it all possible. WOOD $2.2 billion that same year. And the kudos are well-deserved. “We are changing how our health “Donations come in all sizes,” says “Alberta’s health care system is unsurpassed care system works to ensure that Albertans are Jennifer Wood, Provincial Lead, Foundation and one of the best in Canada,” says Rick Trimp, getting the right care, in the right place, at the Relations, AHS. AHS Interim President and CEO “Whether it’s the purchase of Population Health and Province-Wide a CT scanner for $1.2 million, Services. buckets of pennies from school “We have a great health system, fundraisers, or the gift of time at but we can’t claim this exceptional local charity events, we see people quality of health care without helping people and our foundations recognizing the tremendous work facilitate this every day.” our foundations are doing in our Call your local foundation today communities and neighbourhoods to see how you can get involved. throughout Alberta.” For information, visit www. And that work by foundations albertahealthservices.ca/give. n cannot be done without the donations – large and small – by Albertans, whose every gift truly Rick Trimp, Alberta Health matters. Services Interim President and It’s why provincial foundations are CEO Population Health and asking Albertans for help in raising Province-Wide Services, says the key funds that go toward health care support of foundations and trusts in their own communities. is crucial to building a great health “Collectively raising more than care system in Alberta. meet Sandi: a mann for the true north Story by Kristin Bernhard | health care system and identifying areas where Photo by Emily Wolfe | improvement can be made. Sandi Mann There are dozens of volunteers across Alberta “I believe people need a voice in the delivery is a member who, as Health Advisory Council members, of health care,” says Mann. “Bringing forward of the True North seek to improve the well-being of their the voice of the public is what I want to achieve Health Advisory communities by bringing health care feedback while on the council, but I also want to inform the Council. and suggestions to Alberta Health Services. public of what AHS is doing for the region.” Over the next few months, we’ll be profiling Not only does Mann’s HAC role keep her some of them. Today, meet Sandi Mann. informed about AHS, but she is often updated n n n around the dinner table as well. andi Mann is helping to improve health “I have two daughters in health care,” care from the outside, having seen it up says Mann. “Angie is the Director of Clinical Sclose and personal on the inside. Operations, Acute, Allied and Seniors Health, “In 2004, I was in a major vehicle accident,” Area One, in the North Zone, and Cathy is says Mann, a 57-year-old mother of two and studying to become a licensed practical nurse grandmother of four. “I was only able to come here in High Level at Northern Lakes College, home to the hospital in my region because there working part time at the hospital.” “Sometimes it feels like there just aren’t was staff here who had the experience to look Mann’s involvement with health care doesn’t enough hours in the day,” says Mann. “But I after me.” stop there. She is also Chair of the Northwest want to have the voices of the region presented That experience led Mann to became a Health Foundation, which raises funds to to government so government will have an member of the True North Health Advisory purchase medical equipment for rural health understanding of our area and what is needed. Council (HAC) when it formed in 2009. centres to help eliminate the need for residents Staffing our medical centres is important to me – The High Level resident is one of more to travel long distances for medical services. getting staff and keeping them – and I want our than 170 volunteer HAC members across When Mann is not discussing provincial health community to think about what we can we do as the province who play an important role in care, she can usually be found running her own a region to help with this situation.” supporting the strategic direction of Alberta insurance brokerage, on the golf course with To connect with your councils in the North Health Services by getting feedback from the family and friends, or spending as much time as Zone, visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/hac. community about what is working well within the she can with her grandchildren. asp, or call toll-free 1.877.275.8830. n

www.albertahealthservices.ca Looking for a physician in your area? Visit the Alberta Health Services website for information. o u r p a r t n e r s PAGE 7 Foundations & Health Trusts

Operating room nursing staff and physician simulate orthopedic surgery, with Tracey Franken posing as a patient surrounded by her colleagues (left to right), OR nursing staff Jolene Johnson, Diana Zier-Vogel, Stacey Green, Alana Larson, Charity Lawrence and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Chris Parfitt.

Funded through the Hinton Health Care Foundation, the Visiting Orthopedic Surgical Program is one of the many examples of how your Foundation supports quality local health care.

A donation of any size, or the gift of volunteering your time, makes positive impacts on your health and wellness.

Support your local Foundation.

North Zone • Alberta Cancer Foundation • Northern Lights Health Foundation • Beaverlodge Hospital Foundation • Peace River and District Health Foundation North Zone • Fairview Health Complex Foundation • Northwest Health Foundation • Grande Cache Hospital Foundation • Queen Elizabeth II Hospital Foundation • Grimshaw/Berwyn & District Hospital • Regional Emergency Medical Services Foundation Foundation • Hinton Health Care Foundation • St. Paul & District Hospital Foundation • Hythe Nursing Home Foundation • Hospital Foundation • Jasper Healthcare Foundation • Valleyview Health Complex Foundation

www.albertahealthservices.ca/give

Make a difference in your community. Volunteer with Alberta Health Services. www.albertahealthservices.ca PAGE 8 i n b r i e f building toward better mental health he Alberta Health Services (AHS) North mental health services in the North Zone,” says care back to the community. Zone Addiction and Mental Health Strategic Donna Koch, Executive Director, Population • Reduce the wait lists for community TPlan for 2013-2016 is helping to meet the and Public Health, Addiction and Mental Health addiction and mental health services. unique health care needs of northern Albertans. with AHS North Zone. “It will help us streamline • Address the capacity needs for inpatient This plan has been in development for over a services and identify what’s working and where psychiatry beds across the North Zone. year and, thanks to AHS Addiction and Mental some improvements could be made.” • Support families and caregivers of individuals Health (A&MH), North Zone leadership, staff, The priorities in the plan are to: with addiction and mental health issues. partner organizations, community stakeholders, • Reduce death by suicide and intentional self- It aims to accomplish this through funding, various school boards and AHS health advisory harm in the North Zone. technology and information sharing, workforce councils, is now being implemented. • Ensure the appropriate use of emergency development and research and education. “The framework encompasses long- and departments in addressing A&MH concerns. For more information, contact Donna.Koch@ short-term goals and priorities of addiction and • Improve the transition of patients from acute albertahealthservices.ca. n

North Zone executive leadership team: NORTH local Dr. Kevin Worry zone leadership Shelly Pusch AHS embraces local leadership and zone-based decision-making. Right here in , front-line physicians and other clinical leaders at every level of the organization have joint planning and decision-making authority with operational leaders, meaning faster decision-making closer to where care is provided. DR. KEVIN SHELLY WORRY PUSCH

alberta: zone by zone edmonton zone Population: 1,186,121 • Life expectancy: 81.8 years • Hospitals: 13 north zone Communities: • Gibbons • Stony Plain Population: 447,740 • Life expectancy: 79.8 years • Hospitals: 34 • Beaumont • Leduc • Thorsby Communities: • Fort MacKay • Kinuso • • Devon • Morinville • Athabasca • Fort McMurray • Lac la Biche • Smoky Lake • Edmonton • St. Albert • Barrhead • Fort Vermilion • La Crete • Spirit River • Evansburg • Sherwood • Beaverlodge • Fox Creek • Manning • Swan Hills • Fort Park • Berwyn • Glendon • • Thorhild Saskatchewan • Spruce Grove • Bonnyville • Grande Cache • McLennan • Trout Lake • Boyle • Grande Prairie • Medley • Valleyview • Cold Lake • Grimshaw • • Vilna calgary zone • Conklin • High Level • Peace River • Wabasca/ • Edson • • Peerless Lake Desmarais Population: 1,408,606 • Elk Point • Hinton • Radway • • Life expectancy: 82.9 years • Hospitals: 13 • Fairview • Hythe • Rainbow Lake • Whitecourt Communities: • Chestermere • Nanton • Falher • Janvier • Redwater • Worsley • Airdrie • Claresholm • Okotoks • Fort Chipewyan • Jasper • St. Paul • Zama City • Banff • Cochrane • Stavely • Black • Cremona • Strathmore Diamond • Didsbury • Turner Valley • Calgary • Gleichen • Vulcan central zone • Canmore • High River Population: 453,469 • Life expectancy: 80.7 years • Hospitals: 30 Communities: • Galahad • Mundare • Sylvan Lake • Bashaw • Hanna • Myrnam • Three Hills SOUTH zone • Bentley • Hardisty • Olds • Tofield Population: 289,661 • Breton • Hughenden • Ponoka • Trochu • Camrose • Innisfail • Provost • Two Hills • Life expectancy: 80.3 years • Hospitals: 14 • Castor • Islay • Red Deer • Vegreville Communities: Pass • Oyen • Consort • Killam • Rimbey • Vermilion • Bassano • Fort Macleod • Picture Butte • Coronation • Kitscoty • Rocky • Viking • Blairmore • Granum • Pincher Creek • Daysland • Lacombe Mountain • Wainwright • Bow Island • Irvine • Raymond • Drayton Valley • Lamont House • Wetaskiwin • Brooks • Lethbridge • Redcliff • Drumheller • Linden • Sedgewick • Willingdon • Cardston • Magrath • Taber • Eckville • Lloydminster • Stettler • Winfield • Coaldale • Medicine Hat • Vauxhall • Elnora • Mannville • Sundre • Crowsnest • Milk River

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Using medications properly is important, but the I am confused emergency department is not the place to ask for advice about my meds If you’re unsure, we’re here to help Health Link Alberta: 1.866.408.5465 Poison & Drug Information Service: 1.800.332.1414 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.