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Since I was 13 (when I first started carrying a wallet), I have carried a picture of my parents.
I have two good luck charms that I always have with me at work. One is a little dragonfly that represents my dad who I lost in 2015. Having that with me makes me feel like he is watching over me, and I think of him always. The other is a little ladybug that I also have with me at all times, especially at work. My mom loved lady bugs, and lady luck. She always felt ladybugs were a sign of good luck. She would always have extra little ladybugs on her and give them to people who she felt could use a little luck or a prayer, or simply if she just liked them. Mom had a stroke on St. Patrick’s Day in 2007. At that time she spent three months on 4400 (neuro rehab); this was when I decided I would like to work in this field. When she was here she would give patients and staff alike a ladybug. I now proudly work on this floor and I still hear people say they still have mom’s ladybug. Makes my heart happy. We lost mom at the end of 2016, and I have continued to carry on her tradition of handing out ladybugs to staff and patients. I know they are both keeping a close eye on me. Kellie Bliss RN, Neuro Rehab, The Moncton Hospital For as long as I can remember I always put my left skate on first, then my right one. I am not sure if it has brought me luck, or is just a habit that I started to mentally prepare for a hockey game. Come to think about it, I put all my gear on the same way every time and still tape the stick the same way as I did when I was a kid. Michael Berube Workforce Safety Consultant, Occupational Health and Safety, Corporate Office, Miramichi bring me back to center and focus on what is the next right thing to do for me. So, lucky for me, it works. Sam (Chandra) Flewelling RN, Addictions and Mental Health, Mercantile Centre, Saint John I have a charm that came to me in the mail about seven years ago when my niece, who had cancer, passed away at 31. It is with me in my wallet so no one takes it, and reminds me of her every time I look through my wallet. God gave us a wonderful and beautiful person. She left behind three children who live without their momma every day, as do her parents, brothers, etc. This is what I have to keep going and stay positive because I loss half of a lung last year to cancer tumor. So, positive thoughts and my good luck charm are with me each and every day. Carol Buchanan Environmental Services, Upper River Valley Hospital For about 15 years now, I have worn a rose quartz stone on a necklace. To me, the rose quartz symbolizes love and when I am feeling very challenged or stressed, I hold this stone in my hand to help
It’s them at a community dance in July 1974. They’ve been together since 1972 and married since 1978 and they are the best! Anywhere I have travelled or lived in the world
We are pleased to announce that everyone in Atlantic Canada now has access to The Cochrane Library!
it’s always been with me. Fun fact: it once fell out at a friend’s house and he picked it up and said, “Jeeze, I didn’t realize you and your brother were so close.” (He thought it was us) because my brother looks like my dad and I look so much like my mom! Shannon MacLeod Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Relations, Miramichi Regional Hospital For as long as I can remember I have been making wishes when a digital clock shows 1:11, 2:22, 3:33 and so on — the ultimate wish of course being 11:11. It has to be spontaneous; it doesn’t work if you sit and wait for the time change (or so I believe). Lynn Meahan-Carson Director of Corporate Communications, Communications and Community Relations, Saint John Regional Hospital My good luck charm is my necklace I received from my children. It has a pink rose quartz heart-shaped stone. I got the necklace from my kids for Mother’s Day last year. It means the world to me. I wear it when I need help with emotions, work, family and health — pretty much anything really. It hangs in my car window when I am not wearing it, for safe driving. Ashley Pickett Office Support, Queen’s North Community Health Centre, Minto My good luck charm means a lot to me. My father passed away in 2013 and he was one of my biggest supporters. I keep a small part of him with me every day. It’s a small pot of his ashes. I feel like he protects me in some way as he did when he was here with me. Christine Doughty Patient Care Attendant (PCA2), Relief Team, Saint John Regional Hospital
Thank you to everyone who shared their good luck charm. We received 10 submissions, each providing insight on why a certain item or ritual brings luck, fortune and/or prosperity to their life. Many of the stories employees shared told how their good luck charm brought them (or was a reminder of) good health or commemorated the life of a loved one. We heard from readers from nine facilities or regions, seven units or teams, and nine different positions. Since there were exactly ten entries, these are listed in no particular order.
methodical analysis of selected studies using proper statistical techniques. The result is a synopsis of valid studies. Each Cochrane review features a Plain Language Summary, so you don’t have to be a health professional to understand all the details.
The Cochrane Library is for anyone who is interested in using high-quality information to make health decisions. It covers a broad range of health-related topics, and offers high- quality independent evidence to help make informed health care decisions. It includes the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Clinical Answers, and its best-known resource, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A systematic review involves a defined and thorough literature search, a critical assessment of individual studies, and a
Through a consortium of Atlantic Canadian libraries, this subscription-based resource is now available for anyone physically located in the Atlantic provinces. Horizon’s Library Services is part of the consortium making the resource available free of charge to all New Brunswickers. If you’re travelling outside of Atlantic Canada, you can still access The Cochrane Library through the New Brunswick Public Libraries’ website. Access to The Cochrane Library is available at https://www. cochranelibrary.com. an advisory role. Wayne has served as a PEA since 2015. As a PEA, Wayne has represented Horizon on the Province of NB Palliative Advisory Committee. He has also actively participated and provided consultation with several focus groups and committees. This has included addressing Horizon’s food philosophy, and improving patient flow at Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital’s blood work clinic, among many others. “I look forward to my new role as co-chair and working with the other members of the Patient Advisory Council to make improvements to the overall care experience”, said Wayne MacDonald. “Whether they are big or small changes, every bit can make a difference.” The PFAC was instrumental in establishing Horizon’s Family Presence Policy, which eliminated traditional visiting hours from Horizon facilities, thereby allowing patients to have support and company any time of the day or night. “Wayne is a welcome addition as co-chair and I look forward to working alongside him,” said Margaret Melanson, VP of Quality and Patient Centered Care. “The unique perspective that PFAC members bring to the table, leads to many improvements that are meaningful to patients and the overall care experience. Horizon is fortunate to have such a committed group that are helping us to embed patient and family centred care throughout our organization.” Wayne will be replacing Penny Ericson who has served as the PFAC first co-chair since 2014.
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New Co-chair of Horizon’s PFAC
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We look forward to reading your submissions for the next Top 10 list!
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Have an idea for a future Top 10 list? Email HorizonStar@HorizonNB.ca. We look forward to reading your submissions.
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1 My lucky charm is my femur nail. Back in and got the femur nail. Sixteen months later it was removed as I grew the 8-inches of femur that was taken out. I was given the opportunity to be retrained and got my college diploma for IT and started working in health care 26 years ago. It is my lucky charm because I am able to walk, without a limp, and I would not have gone in the direction that was given to me by having the accident. I hang it proudly at all 14 hospitals I have worked at in Canada and Ireland. It reminds me why I am where I am today. Brian Nelligan Business Analyst, Technology Services, Service New Brunswick, Fredericton and Upper River Valley November 1989 I hit an 18-wheeler (semi-trailer truck) head-on and crushed my left femur. Ten days and two code blues later, I had surgery
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My middle nick name is “Horse.” Long story, but when I was a kid, I pretended to be a horse and pull a wagon. My love of horses and horseshoes came from watching
Margaret Melanson, Horizon’s VP of Quality and Patient Centred Care and Dr. Wayne MacDonald, the new chair of Horizon’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). Dr. MacDonald is a former Provincial Chief Medical Officer.
Horizon’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) has a new co-chair. Former Provincial Chief Medical Officer Dr. Wayne MacDonald will be joining Margaret Melanson, Horizon’s VP of Quality and Patient Centred Care to lead the nine-person committee. PFAC members provide advice to Horizon’s leadership on a number of matters directly affecting Horizon patients, clients and their families. The PFAC is instrumental in establishing a
patient and family centred care environment across Horizon. The advisory committee was established in 2014, and is made of up of Patient Experience Advisors (PEA) from Horizon who all have a health care experience, either as a patient, or with a family member, with Horizon. Wayne MacDonald is no exception. In addition to his longstanding medical and policy career, he was involved with the health care journey of his aging parents. It was this experience that compelled him to become involved in
my dad work with the horses and us talking to them helped. I loved brushing them, and helping dad with the tack. My lucky charm is of course the horseshoe. Phyllis Wheaton Prep Cook, Food Services, Sackville Memorial Hospital
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