November PCSBV Newsletter 2023

Community Summit: Compassion & Care Dr. Hsien Seow & Dr. Sammy Winemaker

Dr. Hsien Seow and Dr. Sammy Winemaker have emerged as leaders in Canada in the palliative care and end-of-life care movement, with their direct yet engaging way of tackling the topics of living with a life-changing diagnosis, to death and dying. We were so pleased that they came to join us in the Bow Valley for several days of targeted conversations with our community. What started as a simple idea last fall then blossomed into an incredible week of bringing challenging discussions into the light - and with their disarming charm, Sammy and Hsien were able to encourage hundreds of our community members into the conversation. Sammy and Hsien’s visit included a range of events - from health providers in Canmore and Banff, to Alberta Hospice Leaders, to elected officials, to general public curious about the topic.

What we learned in our time during the Summit, not just from Sammy and Hsien, but from Kathryn too, is that our organization and community is on the right track. We are doing the accurate work to assess our community needs and available resources with our gap analysis, we are putting the correct programs in place to support people looking for someone to take the journey with them, and we are preparing the way for a community gathering place in our future hospice home.

The Bow Valley is a beautiful and unique place for our community members to spend

their days after a life- changing diagnosis. Embrace the beauty of the journey.

Sammy and I met such an incredible group of providers, volunteers, and citizens who are truly building a compassionate community in Bow Valley! Patients and families need a caring community to fill in the social needs that the medical system was never designed to meet. ~ Dr. Hsien Seow, Ph.D. ~

Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator