Zooming in on Healthy Aging: Horizon program wins prestigious award
“We have been friends since Grade 1 and are still friends today.” Tracey Curtis RN, Public Health, Saint John Wendy Riley RN, Cardiac Services (5AN), Saint John Regional Hospital Bachelor of Nursing, Saint John School of Nursing (SJSN), 1987
On a Tuesday morning in Saint John, a petite woman with a funky asymmetrical hairstyle beams as she leads six seniors through gentle leg lifts, finger stretches and the scattered Tai Chi posture. At 80, Leona Rodrigue is one of the oldest, most enthusiastic volunteer instructors with Zoomers on the Go. The Horizon program, which started in the Port City and is now expanding to other parts of New Brunswick, helps people 50 and older improve their balance and reduce their risk of falling. “We brag about Horizon and Zoomers all the time,” said Leona, who leads one 60-minute class each week at a community centre in Saint John’s north end. Almost a decade after it was launched by Horizon’s St. Joseph’s Community Health Centre, the program is getting recognition from high places: Zoomers on the Go is the recipient of the 2018 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Aging. The award was presented at the annual Excellence in Aging Care Symposium in Fredericton earlier this fall. Jill Roberts, a community health nurse who helps coordinate the program, loved sharing the news with the volunteer instructors. “They were thrilled,” she said. “It really confirms that what they’re doing is valuable and that we appreciate it and that our government appreciates what they’re doing. It meant a lot to us.” Jill’s fellow community health nursing leads Joanne Barry and Kathy London-Anthony, and occupational therapist Lori Patterson also help facilitate the program. Jean Daigle, Horizon’s Vice President of Community, congratulated Zoomers on the Go
We received eight submissions, with photos spanning more than 30 years of academic achievement. As you’ll read below, some photos tell a story of personal achievement, while others captured a moment of joy, friendship and pure fun. Have an idea for a future Top 10 list? Email HorizonStar@HorizonNB.ca. We look forward to reading your submissions. Thank you to everyone who shared their graduation photos.
“I was waiting anxiously since Day 1 of my classes for
grad picture to be taken in gown.”
“I sawmy roots needed to be done in the test photo so I decided since I pay for the proofs to do something fun. I think this picture really defines a nurse. At the end of the day, it’s a tough gig so, it’s important tomake it fun and keep it real tomake everyone’s experience a good one.”
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Fahad Farooq Graphic Designer, Communications and Community Relations, Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital Graphics and Communication Design, NBCC, 2018
“I initially had a grad picture with the salmon fur and gown, but my mom requested that she would have liked a picture in my nursing
Amanda Knudson LPN, Internal Medicine (4CN), Saint John Regional Hospital Licensed Practical Nurse, NBCC Saint John
for the achievement.
From left, participants HelenWilliams, Dianne Miller, Marilyn McAllister and Louise Buick and instructor Leona Rodrigue at a recent class in a community centre in Saint John’s north end. of the program is a rich benefit for seniors. Instructor Leona, for instance, remembers the day she tried to cheer up a woman whose husband had died. “I got everybody in a circle, and we played hot potato with the ball,” she said. “Everybody was laughing. She (the woman whose husband had died) was laughing her head off. So every time she would be there, I would try to do that.” Zoomers is offered in several neighbourhoods in and around Saint John, and instructors are being trained to lead the program in Fredericton. “It’s such a fantastic program,” said Leona, one of three instructors who went to Fredericton in September to receive the award from the Lieutenant-Governor. “I’m very, very proud to be able to be a volunteer.”
“At Horizon, we definitely want to promote keeping people healthy in partnership with communities,” he said. “This type of initiative definitely hits the mark.” Zoomers has close to 20 volunteer instructors teaching free classes every week. While the focus is on preventing falls, the social side
uniform. I am glad she talked me into it, as it captures ‘the RN look.’ After 33 years of nursing, I am still visible as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the community, proudly wearing the black and white.” Kathy LeBlanc RN/Program Lead, Healthy Families Healthy Babies, Upper River Valley Public Health, Woodstock Bachelor of Nursing, University of New Brunswick (Fredericton), 1985
“I was so afraid to walk across the stage and fall, so I’m not sure if my smile is because I made it across the stage, or that I was finally a RN! My second picture encompasses my smile - working in the field of nursing is so rewarding and the patients always know how to make you smile.” Ashley Basque RN, Day Surgery, St. Joseph’s Hospital Bachelor of Nursing, University of New Brunswick Saint John, 2012
“A very proud moment for me as I managed to get a 4.0 GPA.” Heather Burns Clinical Social Worker, Saint John Regional Hospital Bachelor of Social Work, St. Thomas University, 2012
“This picture is a reminder to me that despite whatever odds you are facing, if you have faith and determination, you can achieve your goals!” AngieWilliston Process Improvement Project Coordinator, Human Resources Analytics and Optimization, Miramichi Accounting Diploma, Cambrian
“This is a proud moment for me as Gabrielle (my daughter, who was two at the time) will be graduating from high school and is also planning to attend St. Francis Xavier University in the fall of 2019.” Andrea Anderson Registered Dietitian, Upper River Valley Hospital Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, St. Francis Xavier University, 2003
From left, instructors Verna Livingston and Leona Rodrigue, Lieutenant-Governor Jocelyne Roy Vienneau and her husband Ronald Vienneau and instructor Nancy Friars at the annual
Excellence in Aging Care Symposium in Fredericton earlier this fall where Zoomers on the Go was recognized with the 2018 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Aging.
College of Applied Arts (Sudbury, Ont.), 1991
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