Excellence recognized in the health region

This year was the biggest turnout for the annual awards banquet since its inception, with about 225 attendees and more than 30 nominees honoured.

Among the recipients was Elizabeth Moar, a public health nurse, for her 42 years of service. She received the Lifetime Achievement for the impression she left on her peers and co-workers, clients and community members.

She said she was honoured by the award, but joked that she didn’t realize there were awards for rabble rousing. Younger nurses in the department have told Moar that how she works with clients has shaped how the new nurses work.

The achievement marks the end of Moar’s career as she’s retiring at the end of June.

“It’s time — 42 years is a long time. Most of the nurses weren’t born when I started nursing. It’s time to let the younger people take over,” Moar said.

“I won’t miss them because they are friends. We won’t work together, but we’ll still interact.”

Also honoured for her commitment to health care was Karen Kaptein, director of pharmacy. She was awarded Quality of Work.

“It’s nice to be appreciated, to know that what you do matters to others, that what you do on an everyday basis makes a difference in the patients’ lives,” she said.

Kaptein said the recognition was heart-warming and humbling.

While she said she doesn’t remember why she chose pharmacy, Kaptein said she knows why she stays.

“We have a huge role to play in helping people manage their medications — it plays a huge role in their health. We fit into a spot that compliments physicians and nursing and it’s very rewarding.”

Each of the people nominated had their names put forward by their colleagues.

“The people you work with everyday know how hard you work, they know what you do, how you contribute and how you lead, and the people you work with are the ones that really know you and the job that you do,” Dahl said.

Other winners are:
Client Centered Approach – Maryanne King
Attitude – Flo Doucette
Volunteer – Gerry Laird
Team Approach – Day Surgery Unit, Victoria Hospital
Workplace Safety – Laura Beauchesne
Peer Support – Melissa Van Otterloo

Other nominees include:
Client Centered Approach – Gisele Langford, Shelley Goller, Michelle Street;
Team Approach – Adult Day Centre Staff, Spiritwood Primary Care – Clinical Team, Hafford Home Care Team, Linda Vandale, Whispering Pine Place Staff;
Attitude – Mark Dobrowolski, Natalie Berg;
Quality of Work – Dr. J.G. Rye, Dr. W.S. Oleskinski, Dr. Alwyn Fourie, Sherri Chadwick, Twyla Halayka, Dennis Serfas, Marcel Leventure, Catherine Gould;
Peer Support – Luci Glabus, Pharmacy Department; and
Volunteers – Teena Polle, Betty Epp;
Lifetime Achievement – Charles Wicks, Bernadett Blain, Barb Sauve, Sandra Maximchuk, Dr. Tilak Malhotra.

news@panow.com

by Angela Hill

Excellence recognized in the health region

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