HomeEmergency Medical ServicesEMS PAWS Program Supports Paramedics - Update #2

EMS PAWS Program Supports Paramedics - Updated

Monday, October 16, 2017 9:12 AM

EMS PAWS Program - Update #2

The Alberta Health Services EMS Psychological Awareness and Wellness Support (PAWS) program was launched on October 16, 2017. In this update, learn about Delray’s second month on the job and PADS; the organization that raised, trained and supports Delray’s role in the AHS EMS PAWS program.

EMS PAWS Program - Update #1

The Alberta Health Services EMS Psychological Awareness and Wellness Support (PAWS) program was launched on October 16, 2017. In this update, learn about Delray’s first month on the job and the clinical benefits of canine support.

EMS PAWS Program - Introduction

Alberta Health Services EMS is now using puppy power to help support paramedics after traumatic calls as part of the new psychological awareness and wellness support (PAWS) program. (8 mins)

Tagged as Featured, Latest, mental health,

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Featured Contributors

Jessica (Lamb) Spence and Marlies van Dijk

Jessica is a Senior Patient Engagement Consultant while Marlies is a Provincial Quality Improvement Lead

Marlies van Dijk and Dana Dalgarno

Mariles is a Provincial Quality Improvement Lead and Dana is a Senior Quality Assurance Strategist

Adria Gaudet and Jennifer Symon

Aria is a student and patient advisor for AHS while Jennifer Symon is a Clinical Nurse Educator.

Marlies van Dijk

Marlies van Dijk, Provincial Quality Improvement Lead, QI Innovation

Maya Pajevic

Maya Pajevic, Associate Consultant, Design Lab & Patient

Marilyn Wacko

Marilyn Wacko, Senior Consultant, Patient & Provider Experience

Carmen Lee and Emma Vogt

Carmen Lee and Emma Vogt are pharmacy assistants at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Dr. Curt Johnston

Dr. Curt Johnston is the Facility Medical Director of the Royal Alexandra Hospital and an Associate Zone Medical Director for the Edmonton Zone responsible for the Royal Alexandra Hospital and Sturgeon Community Hospital.

Norma Wood

Norma Wood, Senior Program Officer, Workplace Health and Safety

Erica Olson

Erica Olson is program coordinator for PAWS as well as Delray’s first handler.

David O’Toole

David O’Toole is the President and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Healthcare Information.

Dr. Kerri Novak and Dr. Eddy Lang

Dr. Kerry Novak is a gastroenterologist and Medical Lead for Quality Assurance. Dr. Eddy Lang is the clinical department head for AHS Emergency Medicine and the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

Terri Fortunaso

Terri Fortunaso is Seniors Health Director for Continuing Care, Palliative Care and Geriatric Assessment and Rehab, in AHS South Zone.

Michael Smeland

Michael Smeland is the Lead for the Provincial Ergonomics and Safe Client Handling Team with Workplace Health and Safety’s Provincial Services Team.

Sean Chilton

Sean Chilton is the Chief Zone Officer for AHS South Zone and also the lead of a provincial AHS workplace violence committee.

Dr. Laura Calhoun

Laura Calhoun is provincial medical director for Addiction and Mental Health in Alberta Health Services and believes mental health care should be just as easy to access as physical health care.

Dr. Nicholas Mitchell

Dr. Nicholas Mitchell is the Senior Medical Director with the Alberta Health Services Addiction and Mental Health Strategic Clinical Network.

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