May 22, 2015
Story by Kirsten Goruk
Every day staff at facilities and offices throughout the North Zone go to work, simply doing the job that’s required of them without realizing the impact they have on the residents and patients they help.
While Alberta Health Services (AHS) staff keep up with their busy schedules, it’s always nice to take the time to remind them just how valued they are. In an effort to promote regular recognition and celebration of staff, the North Zone was the pilot for the launch of the SPIRIT of Excellence awards.
Last November, staff were encouraged to nominate their colleagues and volunteers for a number of award categories. A total of 18 individual and 9 team nominations were received for six of the categories: community engagement, customer and patient care, health and safety, volunteer, leadership and the group award for teamwork.
In the spring, celebration events were held across the zone to acknowledge this year’s recipients. As we celebrated their success, it was also a chance to reflect on everyone nominated, as their work is a testament to what AHS stands for, and to thank everyone who took the time to nominate a colleague, team or volunteer.
Lambert is considered by many to be a Northern Lights Health Foundation (NLHF) champion and leader. Over the years she’s actively promoted the Foundation through her work as Director of Public Health for the North Zone all while building relationships with staff and volunteers.
“I’m passionate about promoting health and protecting health in the population. The NLHF and board believe that too, which make these dreams and hard work of the staff come true,” Lambert says.
“When we look at population health, it’s more than just a facility; and while that piece is important, it’s also about a broader picture of what’s happening in the community and how we can make a local impact and generate healthy change.”
With her support, the NLHF has funded several public health initiatives including the Inner-City Homeless Health Initiative, the Baby-Friendly Initiative, the Aboriginal Health Liaison position and Public Health Outreach Vehicles.
Receiving the leadership award touched Lambert.
“I’m very humbled. To be honest, it happened at a really challenging time in my life and I said, “Are you kidding me; Is this a joke?” Lambert recalls of hearing the news.
“It came at a perfect time; it was the boost I needed at that point. I was honoured, as there are many well-deserving and inspiring leaders in our North.
Kosik’s work in Grande Prairie as Service Coordinator for Enhanced Services for Women at the Northern Addictions Centre means that she’s always actively engaged in her community, making her the perfect candidate for this award.
“I was very surprised, caught off guard and pleased of course. It’s always nice to be appreciated. I think there are many people worthy of being chosen, so it was lovely to get it,” Kosik says.
Her role with AHS involves supporting women who are pregnant or at risk of becoming pregnant and are abusing substances. By working with partnering community agencies, Kosik is able to significantly improve the lives of her clients, many of whom would not otherwise have access to healthcare services.
“We hope to be a presence in the community. It’s hard to engage with our clients sometimes, to develop a relationship and to gain their trust,” Kosik says.
“I so appreciate the team and community agencies I work with because lots of people give and donate their time and energy and resources to this cause. I appreciate that I’m able to do the job that I do.”
Gary Webster volunteers weekly with Grande Prairie Rehab Homecare. As a former journeyman millwright, he’s uniquely qualified to help with the maintenance of specialty and loaner equipment. By keeping it safe and functional, Webster makes sure that staff can focus their time and efforts on caring for their clients.
“I just go in and do my thing, tinker around in the background and everyone is so nice and appreciative. They stop in and say hi, thank me for what I’m doing,” Webster says.
Webster, who’s done other volunteer work in the past, says AHS has proved to be a great fit for him.
“It’s not glamorous and I don’t do it for the glory, which is why I was so surprised when I heard I’d been chosen. I do it because I can. It’s very nice of them to think of me.”
Hauck is a Public Health Nurse in Grande Cache with 35 years of experience. When she found out she’d received the Customer and Patient Care award, she felt it deserved to be shared with every public health nurse she knows.
“I was quite shocked. It was a thrill to find out I’d been nominated, that was amazing. I didn’t expect to get the award. It’s certainly the icing on the cake as I retire. It’s a wonderful way to end my career,” Hauck says.
Nominated for her community-minded approach to health care, Hauck is known by her colleagues and patients as a caring, thoughtful nurse and mentor, one who takes the time to get to know you.
“My first love has always been public health, so for me, going to work each day was never a chore,” she says.
“I've always had a vision in my mind of what public health should be and have tried to work toward that vision. It has been very rewarding to develop relationships with the clients we serve. That's the special part of this job, the trust that clients place in us and how we must work to earn that trust.”
Mann, Director of Clinical Operations for Area 1 in the North Zone, is recognized for her work in leading the “Let’s Talk Rounds” with frontline staff and managers in her area. The discussions provide a forum for everyone to raise safety concerns.
“Every day we make decisions that impact our frontline staff and ultimately our patients. I think it’s so important to engage our staff and patients in order to make great decisions and look at things realistically,” Mann says.
“The frontline staff have so many ideas and solutions to some of the challenges and it’s about taking the time to hear them out and get that feedback.”
Both excited and appreciative to be chosen for the award, Mann notes that what she’s most thankful for is her amazing team in Area 1.
“I want to thank my staff for taking part and their willingness to continue to be involved. We’ve seen really great results and continue to be successful.”
In December 2014, the NLRHC began offering elective spinal surgeries to patients in the Wood Buffalo region and beyond. This wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in the multi-disciplinary team that helped bring the spinal program to life.
“We’re all really excited about it and pleased that we’ve been recognized for all of the hard work that’s gone into this. It’s nice to see that it’s being done with this multi-disciplinary team,” says Karen Espersen, Operating Room manager at NLRHC.
This program has greatly improved access and patient care services in the region, and wait times for spinal surgery have decreased for patients. Even more important is the impact these surgeries have when patients are able to go home and return to their lives.
“It just elevates us to a provincial level, that we’re able to provide a service to our patients in the community that’s also available in other regional hospitals in the province,” Espersen says.
“It’s about patients being able to get back into the work force, being pain free and giving them their quality of life back.”
