north Zone NEWS Zone Your HealtH Care in Your CommunitY 2014 JUNE Photo by Christine Berget | WhEN paTiENTs havE DiffiCUlTy MaKiNg a poiNT Rose Bukach, 92, uses the CommuniKit picture board to spEaKiNg, WE CaN sTill havE a vERy ‘chat’ with Enid Desroches, a recreational therapy assistant RiCh CoNvERsaTioN WiTh ThEM in Radway. The special kit helps Bukach, who has a severe hearing impairment, communicate with her health care “ — Cynthia Pruden, North Zone clinical lead for speech language pathology team, as well as friends and family. PAGE 3 nEw ct scAnnEr GivEs innovAtions clEArEr ‘in’-siGhts chAnGinG livEs There’s a new doc on the block at the Westlock healthcare 10improving heart disease outcomes, mapping the Centre – a state-of-the-art CT scanner. its higher-resolution human genome, creating better drugs – alberta is a system is able to make 3-D body images more precise, hotbed of medical breakthroughs. We take a look at meaning physicians have a clearer look at 10 innovations that are making a what is going on inside patients. PAGE 5 difference in lives worldwide. PAGE 6 meet alberta hEalTh services’ new lEader ickie Kaminski became alberta health services’ concerns, let us know. Tell us and we’re going to do them they need to spend it in the (ahs) new president and CEo on May 26. our best to meet your needs and expectations.’ areas important to us. health care vshe brings to the table more than 35 years of Q: what type of changes are you envisioning? has always been, and will always experience in the Canadian health care system, first A: i’ll be looking at how we maintain quality of care be, one of the most important as a front-line nurse, a nurse manager and executive and maintain appropriate wait times. how do we areas to Canadians. as long as KAMINSKI and, for the last 15 years, as the president and chief make sure we’re serving the right person, at the right we’re funded by tax dollars, you as executive officer of various organizations. time, doing the right thing? What kinds of structures a taxpayer will have your say through the politician. Q: what’s first, now that you’re cEo of Ahs? do staff need to help them move through that? When we see an increase in the politicization of A: My first job is learning the landscape. i need to Q: Many would say there have been incidences decisions, it’s because there is a loss of confidence. connect with the front line. When i think about what of political interference in the past when it My job is to bring confidence to the position and to the a CEo should be doing, my primary job should be to comes to your position. how do you plan to organization, and to earn the confidence ofa lbertans. eliminate any barriers front-line staff may have or feel. handle the politics of Alberta? if we have that kind of a relationship with the people i also need to have a relationship with the community A: politics and health care go together. We elect of alberta and with the staff of AHS and with the at large; to say to albertans: ‘if you have issues or our political leaders, give them tax dollars and tell physicians, i think we’ll be on the right path. n PAGE 2 l o C a l l e a d e r s DR. KEVIN WORRY AwaRD iN sToRE foR gRoUp North Zone executive Mayor awards Beaverlodge Hospital Auxiliary for outstanding work leadership team member in raising health care funds through the community’s local Thrift Store DAnGErs hiDDEn Story by Lisa Peters | Photo by Sylvia Advent he Beaverlodge hospital auxiliary recently volunteer to staff the store three days a week in in sun’s rAys received an award from the Town of groups of three or four. secondhand clothing, TBeaverlodge recognizing the support it kitchenware, books, toys and a variety of other ummer is nearly here and taking provides to the community and hospital. household items are sold at the shop. advantage of the short season is a The Mayor’s award of Distinction was presented and the hospital has benefited. smust in northern alberta. to auxiliary members at a formal awards dinner on funds raised by the auxiliary have helped sunshine can provide a number april 9. The award was given the same week as purchase televisions for patient rooms, chairs of different health benefits, including National volunteer Week, april 6-12. for the waiting room, blood pressure monitors, a improved mood and mental outlook, “This award recognizes an individual or a group stretcher, and a bariatric bed. which in turn can help ease some forms who has made a significant contribution to our Dorothy lieverse, president of the auxiliary, says of physical pain. community,” says Mayor leona hanson, who that it’s a pleasure to raise funds to purchase But the warm, sunny weather also selects the recipient of the award each year. things that make the lives of staff and patients comes with a variety of hidden dangers. “it’s definitely a pleasure to be able to present more comfortable. after a long, cold winter, many of us the award to this group. They are truly amazing.” “We’ve raised thousands of dollars to buy could use a reminder of how to stay safe The Beaverlodge hospital auxiliary has been different things over the years, and we always while enjoying ourselves under the sun a part of the community for over 30 years. it have an enjoyable time doing it,” says lieverse. this summer. currently has about 40 members, all of whom “all of the women – young and old – are applying sunblock with a sun help manage and operate the local Thrift store in dedicated and fun to work with. We have a protection factor (spf) of at least 15 is efforts to raise money to purchase equipment and meeting once a month to bring everyone together, recommended if you’re going to be in items for the Beaverlodge Municipal hospital. and host fun events such as a Christmas party the sun for any length of time to help limit alberta health services (ahs) also recognized and spring picnic. There’s always a lot of talking exposure to harmful Uv (ultraviolet) rays. local volunteers for their dedication at an and visiting.” for babies younger than six months, it’s appreciation event on Tuesday, april 15. lieverse adds the auxiliary is always looking to best to make sure they’re covered with “it is an honour to work with this auxiliary, that add new members to the team. large, brimmed hats, or keep them out of works so diligently to operate the Thrift shop and “Most people volunteer once every two weeks the sun altogether. generate funds for their hospital and health care or sometimes once a week,” she says. “We are you’re more likely to get a sunburn community,” says sylvia advent, co-ordinator with flexible with a person’s availability.” when the sun’s rays are strongest, ahs volunteer Resources. The auxiliary also accepts cash donations. between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. “They have contributed over 5,000 recorded located off Main street in downtown Beaverlodge, More than just a summer annoyance, volunteer hours in this past fiscal year, with 59 the Thrift store is open Wednesdays, Thursdays repeated sunburns can increase your risk registered volunteers.” and fridays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. of skin cancer dramatically. Repeated Running the Thrift shop is how the auxiliary for more information about volunteering with blistering burns are thought to be linked raises most of its funds. auxiliary members ahs, visit www.albertahealthservices.ca. n to an increased risk of melanoma – the least common, but most deadly form of skin cancer. learn more about sun safety and proper use of sunscreen at myhealth.alberta.ca. hazards related to Uv exposure aren’t limited to the sun’s natural rays. artificial tanning is actually more dangerous than the sun. some tanning beds can emit up to 15 times more harmful radiation than the midday sun. and the younger you are, the higher the risk. Using tanning beds before the age of 35 can increase your chances of developing some form of skin cancer by up to 75 per cent. for more information about the risks associated with artificial tanning, go to www.thebigburn.ca. n Members of the Beaverlodge Auxiliary display their Mayor’s Award of Distinction plaque at the Alberta Health Services Volunteer Appreciation event in April. Some mosquitoes carry the West Nile virus, so it’s best to avoid being bitten at all. Mosquitoescan t ’ • Use an insect repellent with DEET. bite • Wear light-coloured long-sleeved you shirts and pants, and a hat. • Consider staying indoors at dawn and dusk if they cant when mosquitoes are most active. ’ For more information and tips, visit ghtthebite.info find you. or call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465. 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 Peter Szpital, 91, right, uses the CommuniKit picture board to communicate in Ukrainian. Above and left, components of the CommuniKit. Bottom left: Enid Desroches, a recreational therapy assistant in Radway, uses the picture board with Rose Bukach, 92, who has a severe hearing impairment. Kit helps long-term care residents communicate in spite of speech difficulties lET’s givE ThEM soMEThiNg To TalK aBoUT Story by Kirsten Goruk | Photos by Christine Berget or long-term care resident peter szpital, communicate with patients and residents and, 2) 91, a picture paints just one word – but in ThE goal is ..