A publication for the staff of Horizon Health Network
‘It was like everybody won’ Miramichi staff boost Hockeyville bid Page 7
An Old Newcomer New environment leaves RN in awe Page 10
Staying Healthy As You Age A helpful guide for your senior patients and clients Page 11
Issue No. 17, Vol. 4 June 2019
A publication for the staff of Horizon Health Network
Waste Walk in Serology Lab at Horizon’s SJRH finds savings through small change Page 19
Meet the winners of the 2019 Quality Quest Awards! Page 16 Top 10: The health care professions that inspire you Page 17
Contents
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Horizon joins Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres COPD Testing available in Eastern Charlotte County
Horizon’s Recognition Month – another great success
LPN stands for more than Licensed Practical Nurse Proud Canadian, 30 years in the making
Miramichi staff boost Renous Kraft Hockeyville bid
Employee rescues boy from dog attack Detox Unit art inspired by clients’ recovery journeys
Physician earns national designation An Old Newcomer
Physician completes Critical Care Echocardiography exam Patient Safety Incident Management Training
Staying Healthy As You Age
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Miramichi Hospital Auxiliary celebrated for 100 years of care 15
2019 Quality Quest Award winners 16
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Work smarter, not harder. Time to get waste walking. 20
Successful Harm Reduction Symposium UNB researchers exploring weight gain stigma
#ResearchAtHorizon: Bikes N’ Trikes program gives youth freedom to play
Top 10: Health care professions that inspire
Active Offer Every Day: Patient and family centred care in action
Finding savings through small changes Horizon, Vitalité sign MOU with First Nations communities
On our cover: Tammy Mahaney, a medical lab technologist is photographed in the Microbiology Department’s Serology Lab at Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital in May.
In Every Issue Message from CEO Editor’s Note Colleagues’ Corner Look Who’s Shining Top 10
This magazine is published by Horizon Health Network’s Communications Department, and is distributed free of charge to Horizon staff, physicians and volunteers. A French version can be found online at fr.horizonnb.ca. Editor: GinaBeth Roberts Design and layout: Hudson Creative Agency Printed by: Advocate Printing Please send comments and/or story ideas to HorizonStar@HorizonNB.ca .
Colleagues Corner
Horizon physician completes Critical Care Echocardiography examination
Dr. Maen Alqdah, a Respirology and Intensive Care Specialist and director of Respiratory Care Services at Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital recently successfully completed his Critical Care Echocardiography board examination. This is the first examination delivered by the American National Board of Echocardiography (NBE) in this new branch of medicine. There is no equivalent Board in Canada, and the NBE is recognized by multiple associations and societies in Canada. Dr. Alqdah has worked in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for 12 years, taking care of the hospital’s most critically-ill patients. In the last decade, he said, ultrasound has become a very important tool for physicians in the ICU. “It’s almost replacing the stethoscope,” he said. This certification and training will allow him to perform Advanced Critical Care Echocardiography — ultrasound of the heart — on patients of all ages. These ultrasounds can be performed every one to two hours to see how a patient’s health is progressing, and to flag and manage issues immediately. “This has a huge impact,” said Dr. Alqdah. “The point of care ultrasound is most important to be done at the time you need it most.” “If you have a sick patient the middle of the night, that’s the time you need to do
the test; by the next day, the decisions that you’ve made based on your finding would have made a big difference,” he explained. “If you wait until the next day, things could have changed because the heart and the cardiovascular system’s response to illness are continuously changing so you need to capture it continuously.” Dr. Alqdah can also interpret images when an Echocardiography technician is not available, which allows for a quicker treatment of patient. Images are also stored and shared for comparison and reference in future cases. He will soon work with a new transesophageal ultrasound probe, which will treat patients
Dear Staff, Physicians and Volunteers, As I write this I have spent the last few weeks traveling around to many Horizon facilities to meet with staff and discuss what’s next for our organization. Currently we are in the early stages of developing our new strategic plan, and I’ve already received great feedback from staff, physicians and community members. It’s imperative that I hear from you, as you are the staff on the frontlines serving our communities. I hope you will continue to share your ideas and your honest
A welcome note from the editor
Welcome to the 17th edition of the Horizon Star! I am so happy and proud to share with you the Horizon Star has won a Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Award of Excellence for Best Internal Publication. I learned of this news just days before my deadline to write my Editor’s Note, which has given me some time to reflect on this honour. I share this award with so many people. My Communications colleagues contribute stories to every issue and many help review and edit the publication in full, and our Translation team does an impeccable job bringing the stories to life in French. I could also not do without the graphic designers who turn all of our words and photos into pages that are visually interesting and cohesive. And our volunteers, who have helped make the print distribution in all our regional hospitals possible. And our printing partner, Advocate. And I definitely could not do it without all of you. The Horizon Star was a direct result of your feedback: Only a few years ago we heard from you that Horizon needed to improve internal communications. To figure out how to do that, we held focus groups with many frontline employees, developed an Internal Communications Framework and implemented recommendations from that framework, including four related to our internal newsletter. You were immediately engaged in the redevelopment process, as you were asked to submit names for the newsletter. We received more than 100 submissions from staff and physicians from 13 different facilities across Horizon. Ultimately, the Horizon Star was chosen. You told us that you didn’t want a newsletter that only generated awareness of corporate messages and rehashed press releases; you wanted to see yourselves and people you work with in the pages of the publication. That’s why we developed recurring features Look Who’s Shining, which showcases the work of Horizon employees outside the organization, and Colleagues’ Corner, which profiles a particular position or team in support of sharing best practices and success stories across the organization. It’s also because of you we print the magazine, and distribute to all Horizon facilities. I also hope you’ve found the process to submit articles has improved with the introduction of the HorizonStar@ HorizonNB.ca email address. The award recipients and the level at which they won (gold, silver or bronze) at will be announced at an awards ceremony at the CPRS National Conference in Edmonton in mid-June. If you’d like to read more on the CPRS and its Awards of Excellence, you can visit cprs.ca. Happy reading,
Dr. Maen Alqdah is photographed in his office in the Professional Arts Building in Moncton in May.
perspectives when the consultation process formally begins for the new strategic plan. You will have an opportunity to engage in a variety of ways including larger meetings with me and our Board chair, as well as smaller meetings with your manager and through an online platform on our website. This province and across Canada recognizes there is a nursing shortage. I realize there are shortages for other health care professions as well. Please know that Horizon’s Human Resources team is working around the clock to recruit staff to ensure patient and client care isn’t negatively affected.
when physicians and technicians can’t see through their chest wall because of trauma. Dr. Alqdah is one of only a few physicians in Canada to complete this examination, and may be in the only one in Atlantic Canada. He’ll work with colleagues in Critical Care and Emergency Departments who are interested in learning more about Advanced Critical Care Echocardiography, which will advance the diagnostic abilities of the hospital’s Critical Care team and ultimately provide better patient care and outcomes.
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The ultrasound used in Advanced Critical Care Echocardiography.
Karen McGrath President and CEO However, I believe strongly that recruitment alone is not the answer to all of our health care woes. We need to change the way we do things in this province, particularly in the way we provide community care. We need to identify gaps and find efficiencies across our organization. Delivering health care services in New Brunswick isn’t going to get any easier; in fact it will become more challenging as our population ages. Our province simply can’t afford an abundance of new buildings and shiny new equipment. We can’t simply do what we’ve always done, because it’s the way it was done in the past. We need to do things differently. We need to start by addressing the actual determinants of health. It’s important that we develop Horizon’s strategic plan and involve our staff and stakeholders in doing so. We need everyone involved to feel a part of our strategic plan and believe in it, to be successful. I do believe we’re on the right track and our focus is clear, which is to provide safe and quality care for our patients/clients and their families. For this reason I encourage you to engage in the consultation process, which is set to begin in the coming months. I understand how the continued mention of staff shortages doesn’t only affect our patients, but our staff and their families as well. I encourage you to listen to your body and listen to your mind and ensure that you take time to rest and look after yourselves. There is no better time to recharge than doing so while enjoying New Brunswick’s beautiful weather. Sincerely,
Training supports Horizon’s patient safety incident management process In late March, Horizon’s Quality, Patient Safety and Risk Management Services attended an education session given by Carolyn Hoffman, President and CEO of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada). ISMP Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and promotion of safe medication practices. Horizon invited this global leader in patient the last decade,” said Lauza Saulnier, Regional Director, Quality & Patient Safety. Currently, Quality, Patient Safety and Risk Management Services are leading a Patient Safety Incident Management Project to
From top to bottom, left to right: Tony Robichaud, Quality Consultant; Rosemary Boyle, Patient Safety Consultant; Alice Damon, Chief Quality & Patient Safety Officer; Lauza Saulnier, Regional Director Quality & Patient Safety; Jennifer Landry, Risk Management Consultant; Peggy McEachreon, Risk Management Assistant; John Glidden, Risk Management Consultant; Carolyn Hoffman, President & CEO ISMP Canada; Lynn Moore, Risk Management Consultant; Sandra Rooney, Regional Director Risk Management; Michelle Anglehart, Patient Safety Consultant; Paula Pickard, Patient Safety Consultant; Janice Butler, Risk Management Consultant; Amy Mullin, Quality Consultant; Rose McKenna, Quality Consultant; and Lyzandra Pereira, Quality Consultant. further align Horizon’s processes with ISMP’s report recommendations, recent legislative and regulatory changes, and best practices followed in other Canadian health authorities. The team’s training session with ISMP Canada was part of their work in revamping Horizon’s patient safety incident management process.
safety to provide a customized Incident Analysis Workshop to help build Horizon’s capacity and expertise. The training allowed the team to further their understanding of the incident review process and its purpose, and taught them how to create strong recommendations, which are critical in successfully managing patient safety incidents. Previously, Horizon had engaged ISMP Canada to recommend a framework for adverse incident management, as well as other key opportunities for improvement, that would improve the reliability and effectiveness of Horizon’s patient safety incident management process. “The foundations of a safe and just culture already exist at Horizon, but it needs to be expanded and enhanced in order to keep up with the changes Horizon has undergone in
Karen McGrath President and CEO Horizon Health Network
GinaBeth Roberts Editor, Horizon Star
Want to tell your colleagues about the services you provide for patients and staff throughout Horizon? Email HorizonStar@HorizonNB.ca .
Miramichi staff boost Renous’ bid to become Kraft Hockeyville enhances mental wellness, and is what Addiction & Mental Health staff promote daily.
LPN stands for more than Licensed Practical Nurse
A group of Horizon licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the Saint John area saw an opportunity to work together to help create positivity and boost morale in their profession and ran with it. Together, they created Leaders Practicing Nursing, a group who meet regularly to focus on leadership and supporting their profession and nursing team. “Licensed practical nursing is not typically a profession where you see people take leadership roles and we wanted to inspire other LPNs to be leaders,” said Christie Ruff, Regional Lead, Corrections Health and Clinical Order Sets. As health care providers, they want to make a difference in the lives of their patients, their community and their colleagues; as colleagues, they’re focused on encouraging each other and being a voice for LPNs who might not want to speak. “We are creating a movement and excitement that LPNs can be leaders within their workplace and beyond,” said Jennifer Bickford, Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses (ANBLPN) Board member. With a combined 50+ years of nursing experience, these LPNs work in various nursing areas including education, internal medicine, neurology and more. The group share experiences, resources and advice all while determining ways to help other LPNs feel inspired and become leaders. “I am grateful and inspired by this amazing Dressed in red and white, Christie Ruff arrived at a citizenship ceremony in Saint John two months ago ready to become a Canadian citizen. After living in Canada for over 30 years and working as a nurse for 32, this was her day to shine. This is a meaningful time for Christie; ever since she was driven across the U.S. border by her Canadian husband in 1989, she has felt at home here and has never looked back. “It’s hard to believe it has taken this long to formalize something that has been in my heart for years,” she said. “I am sure Canadian blood runs through my veins, and I’m proud to say I. Am. Canadian.” Canada Day 2019 is guaranteed to be extra special for this newly minted Canadian. “Every day feels like Canada Day right now,” she laughed. “I look forward to celebrating with my fellow Canadians on July 1. Happy Canada Day!” Christie is the Regional Lead for Corrections Health & Clinical Order Sets and a Licensed Practical Nurse.
The support of Horizon staff in Miramichi helped boost a neighbouring community’s bid to become Canada’s hockey town. The community of Renous, 40 kilometres southwest of Miramichi, recently won the title of Kraft Hockeyville for 2019, thanks to the public’s vote. Before and during the two-day online voting blitz, Horizon staff who worked in Addiction and Mental Health’s outpatient and inpatient services showed their support for the bid, encouraging staff and community members in the region and across the province to vote for Renous as many times as possible. “When communities come together to support each other it’s uplifting,” said Jackie Hare, Acting Director of Addiction and Mental Health Services and Nurse Manager of Addiction and Psychiatry Inpatient Units at Horizon’s Miramichi Regional Hospital. This was a staff-driven initiative. Staff were so committed to Renous wining they had a Jersey Day (some bringing extra jerseys for those without one) and decorated their office windows with signs to remind everyone about voting. They used their work breaks, and their own time, to vote. “People came in the next morning and said, ‘I voted for two hours straight last night’,” she said. Participating in this bid was a no-brainer, as this was, at its core, a wellness initiative. Physical activity, like playing hockey or skating, and community involvement
And when Renous was announced as the winner, it was a time for everyone to celebrate. “The staff around here were just ecstatic,” Jackie said. “It was like everybody won.” Renous won $250,000 in upgrades for Tom Donovan Arena. They’ll also have the honour of hosting an NHL game between the Montreal Canadians and Florida Panthers (exact game location to be determined).
Staff at Horizon’s Addiction andMental Health Outpatient Services decorated their office windows to encourage and remind community members to “Vote Renous!”
From left: NBCC Clinical Instructor Laura Janes, and Horizon LPNs Gwen Bezeau, Patrick Daggett, Christie Ruff, Rhonda Power and Jennifer Bickford. Missing from the photo is Curtis Cormier.
group of caring individuals,” said Rhonda Powers, President of the ANBLPN Saint John Chapter. “We have a common goal to encourage and promote professionalism and positivity in our profession.” Curtis Cormier hopes this group will ignite passion and instil pride in their chosen profession, something he and this group already share. “Being an LPN is a career we are all proud of and have a passion for,” said Laura Janes. “We want to share that passion with others, so we as a profession, are able to continue to grow.” “This group… (is) a way we can show honest
communication, awareness and education to other fellow LPNs while providing and encouraging leadership skills,” said Gwen Bezeau. Leaders Practicing Nursing encourage each other to take different leadership roles, motivate each other to take courses, and provide mentorship to others, as well performing these actions in their work areas to help other LPNs feel inspired and to become leaders. “I hope to inspire my fellow LPNs to exude kindness and professionalism,” said Jennifer. “Both of these qualities encompass what is needed in nursing today.” This Canada Day, we want to celebrate Horizon’s new Canadians If you’re a Horizon employee and new Canadian, we want to know: When and why did you come to Canada? Did you move here to join the Horizon team? What is your most memorable Canadian moment? We want to share your stories and photos this Canada Day on Horizon’s social media channels! Send your submissions to horizonstar@horizonnb.ca by Friday, June 21. Please include the following items: • Your name, position, unit and facility • One or two paragraphs sharing your Canadian story • A photo of you — in your best red and white or at your citizenship ceremony, if possible *Please note: These photos will be featured on Horizon’s corporate social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and/or YouTube, not in the Horizon Star ). By submitting a photo, you consent to having your photo used on these online channels. For privacy reasons, please ensure no patients or patient information is visible in photos.
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A proud Canadian, 30 years in the making
Staff at Horizon’s Addiction andMental Health Outpatient Services (top) and Inpatient Psychiatry and Inpatient Detoxification at Horizon’s Miramichi Regional Hospital (bottom) wore sports jerseys to drum up support and votes for Renous’ successful bid to become Kraft Hockeyville.
Christie Ruff at her citizenship ceremony in Saint John.
Look Who’s Shining! Know someone who’s accomplished something outstanding outside the workplace? Nominate a colleague, peer or volunteer for this feature by emailing HorizonStar@HorizonNB.ca .
Horizon employee rescues boy from dog attack Joy Burns didn’t expect to be a hero while on a trip to the United States, but her instincts as a mother, grandmother and nurse helped her protect a young boy in a scary situation. Joy, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Horizon’s later come to know as Jack, walking down the street with two rottweilers trailing behind him. She assumed they were his dogs until they suddenly pounced. The rottweilers began attacking Jack, biting and tearing his clothes.
Horizon joins cancer centres, researchers in Atlantic Canada to provide precision medicine for patients across region
Leading cancer centres, hospitals and researchers in Atlantic Canada came together in St. John’s, N.L. in mid-April to help launch the Terry Fox Research Institute’s (TFRI) Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, which represents a powerful collaborative platform that will help deliver personalized and precision medicine to cancer patients across the region. The east coast group, known as the Atlantic Cancer Consortium (ACC), is comprised of about 40 researchers and clinicians from institutions in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick, including Horizon Health Network. “We’re very proud to be a part of such an innovative and patient-focused initiative,” says Dr. Edouard Hendriks, Horizon’s Vice President Medical, Academic and Research Affairs. “We hope that by working together and using all of our available technologies to help individualize treatments we’ll improve the quality of life and increase survivorship for New Brunswickers diagnosed with this deadly disease.” Representatives from the three provinces Thanks to a generous donation from a local family, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) testing is now available in Eastern Charlotte County. Horizon’s Fundy Health Centre (FHC) has developed and implemented a program to support residents in the area who are living with COPD. UPSTREAM, an 18-month project funded by the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI), is focused on the early screening and support for people living with COPD. As a result of a generous donation from the Gallant Family, the FHC team was able to purchase equipment for the implementation of a community-based, pulmonary rehabilitation program for local residents. “It is important that people living in rural communities have equitable, timely and appropriate access to health care programs and services,” said Dan Doherty, Director of Primary Health Care for the Saint John area. “Having this kind of support, right here in Eastern Charlotte County is crucial to supporting the health and wellness of our community.” The eight-week program has demonstrated positive results for participants and improvements in overall health and wellness.
It will join the Montreal Cancer Consortium in Quebec and the BC-Ontario Pilot Project, which are already functioning, as well as the Prairies Cancer Consortium, which hopes to become operational later this year. “By forming the ACC and joining the national Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network we hope that every cancer patient in our region will have access to the right treatment at the right time for their particular type of cancer,” said Dr. Michael Johnston, TFRI Atlantic node leader, professor of surgery at Dalhousie University and former director of the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute. The Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network is the realization of a long-standing vision of the TFRI. Just as Terry Fox united Canadians with his run and dream to end cancer, the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network will unite cancer researchers to pursue that same goal with precision medicine. For more information on the launch of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, please visit: marathonofhopecancercentres.ca/launch.
Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (DECRH), and her granddaughter, Isabella, were in Louisiana visiting Joy’s daughter and Isabella’s aunt over the Christmas holiday. The day before they were to return home to Fredericton, Joy went outside to get her daughter’s mail. There, she noticed a small boy, who she would
“My immediate instinct was to help the boy,” said Joy. “I thought I’d be able to scare the dogs off, but they wouldn’t leave him alone.” Joy ran and threw herself on top of Jack to shield him from the dogs. They began attacking and biting her as well. “I tried to calm Jack down in hopes that once he stopped screaming the dogs would calm down, but they wouldn’t let up,” she said. “They were hauling us around like paper dolls. It was terrifying. At one point, all I could do was pray.” With a rush of adrenaline, Joy managed to stop one dog just long enough for her to get off Jack, and for Jack to be freed. She had no idea where Jack lived, but once the dogs settled down a little, he started running home. The only stich of clothes he had left was a sock. Joy ran back into her daughter’s house, with the two dogs chasing and biting her every step of the way. Once inside, she called her daughter who brought her to the nearest hospital and was immediately taken into surgery. Joy received three surgeries plus skin grafts during her 10-day hospital stay as an attempt to repair the damage. Joy continues to meet
Joy received three surgeries plus skin grafts during her 10-day hospital stay; she continues to see a plastic surgeon at the DECRH, and will likely need more surgeries in the future to regain full function of her arm. with a plastic surgeon at the DECRH, and will likely need more surgeries in the future to regain full function of her arm. Despite her injuries, on that day Joy’s greatest concern was for Jack, as well as for her granddaughter: Isabella lost both her mother and father a couple months’ prior, and was terrified she would lose her grandmother, too. During her hospital stay, Joy received news Jack, the little boy she saved that day, was only five years old, and that the dogs had escaped from a neighbour’s backyard. Jack received over 300 stitches, but thankfully none to his face because Joy was his shield. Jack’s story would have ended much differently if Joy hadn’t been there that day. Thanks to her heroic rescue, Jack was saved from what could have been a much more tragic outcome. The first painting depicts the feelings of isolation and despair associated with suffering from an addiction. The second depicts the recovery process — acceptance of the addiction and its realities and recognition of the need for support from others. The eagle sitting subtly in the background symbolizes freedom, and is looking toward the future. The third depicts the regrowth participants experience through sowing seeds of wellness. Together, the collection highlights the importance of peer support throughout the recovery process.
T E R RY FOX R E S EARCH NE TWORK
participated in the launch event and applied to the national network in May for funding to launch a pilot project focused on colorectal and lung cancers, the two most prevalent cancers in the region. Funding for the network will be made up of support from the Government of Canada (up to $150 million over five years) and will be matched with funds raised by the network partners, their foundations and The Terry Fox Foundation. When the network is officially launched, the ACC will become one of several regional and cross-country groups that make up the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network.
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Joy Burns, an LPN, is photographed at Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in mid-May.
COPD Testing now available in Eastern Charlotte County
New art at Detox Unit inspired by clients’ recovery journeys
The three paintings, inspired by clients’ recovery journey and created by Miramichi artist AdamBarry, hang prominently at the Detoxification Unit inMiramichi. Here, clients who inspired the painting and unit staff, sit in front of the paintings.
The Detoxification Unit in Miramichi has some beautiful new art hanging on its walls — art that was inspired by clients’ journey to recovery. Recently, the unit’s Recovery Team was awarded grant money from a Department of Health Recovery initiative. With the grant and input from clients, Patient
Experience Advisors (PEAs) and staff, Miramichi artist Adam Barry was given a goal of creating a client’s depiction of recovery. As a result, he created three paintings that could stand alone, but tell a broader story when hung together; these paintings show what the stages of addiction and recovery look like to clients.
From left: Paul Gallant; Dr. Oriano Andreani, Respirologist; Laura Gallant; Kenny Gallant; Anne McLean, community health nurse; and Sherrie Gallant.
Program participants are referred by Dr. Oriano Andreani, a respirologist, and the program is led by Anne MacLean, RN; Dianne Stewart, LPN; and Nurse Practitioners Stephanie Henry and Kate Burkholder.
One patient said the program helped them get the education they were longing for, and it reduced their anxiety in dealing with shortness of breath by using the new breathing techniques they learned.
From left: Miramichi artist AdamBarry, Recovery Team staff representative Sheralee Furlong, a Licensed Practical Nurse and project organizer, and Jeff Miller, a PEA and Horizon employee.
Staying Healthy As You Age
Horizon physician earns national designation Dr. Sanjay Siddhartha, Chief of Psychiatry at Horizon’s Miramichi Regional Hospital, was recently awarded the Canadian Certified Physician Executive (CCPE) designation at the Canadian Conference on Physician Leadership held in Montreal in April.
Danny Jardine, Regional Director, Collaborative Care Seniors Health June is Seniors Month, and Collaborative Care Seniors Health at Horizon aims to provide exceptional care for all seniors across New Brunswick. As you age you have control over some of these factors, such as your health behaviours.
“To affect positive mental health care change and achieve results the best thing to do is to come out of the office and into the community,” he said. “There is a distinction between mental health and mental illness and it’s up to us (professionals) to get out there and provide accurate, compassionate, and quality care.” And it’s because of Dr. Siddhartha’s commitment to front-line care that patients referred to Miramichi’s Addiction and Mental Health Services undergo a psychiatric screening to rule out serious mental illness, a unique and highly successful program in which Dr. Siddhartha was instrumental in creating. Dr. Nachiketa Sinha, Chief of Psychiatry at Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital, and Dr. Siddhartha’s colleague and friend says, “Dr. Siddhartha’s leadership and clinical practices are strong assets in the treatment of mental illness in New Brunswick, and the CCPE designation is a well-deserved honour.” Dr. Siddhartha also serves as Chair of the New Brunswick Psychiatric Association Board of Directors and is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University. Congratulations Dr. Siddhartha, and thank you for exemplifying Horizon’s value of patient and family centred care. Nurse Manager Judy Melanson has fostered a very close-knit staff. It is as one of the nurses said recently: “We are family, brothers and sisters, and you will never find any other place like it.” She is right. I have never been in an environment like this, and I feel truly fortunate to have been afforded this opportunity. Many stories are told of patients; not so many about the people who are dedicated to making those stories happen. Staff at the New Brunswick Heart Centre performs over 4,100 cardiac catheterizations every year. This number also includes Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implants (TAVI) and other valvular procedures, which are also truly amazing. They also performs many electrophysiology procedures (another highly- specialized area) including, but not limited to, cardiac ablation, pacemakers and defibrillator insertion and maintenance, performed by Cardiac Electrophysiologists, with the support of the team. I am in awe of the expertise, dedication, and care given to every patient, and to me… the old newcomer. With respect, Susan Lanteigne, RN
However, the health system cannot do it alone. In fact, many population health models suggest that our health is only 10 per cent dependent on the health system with 90 per cent of our health status determined by health behaviours, social and economic factors and the physical environment.
There is no priority to this list; we want your patients and clients to be empowered to choose what they want to do based on personal preference. We hope you will use it to stay healthy! For more resources and health tips for staying healthy as you age, visit Horizon’s Community News Channel.
Collaborative Care Seniors Health wants to help you, so we reached out to our clinical experts and community partners to provide you with the Top 10 things you can do to stay healthy as you age.
This is the first time a Horizon physician has been awarded the CCPE designation, which recognizes Canadian physicians for their exemplary performance as leaders, and is just the third time it has been presented to a New Brunswick area physician. “Congratulations on behalf of Horizon for this recognition by your Canadian colleagues,” said Dr. Édouard Hendriks, Horizon’s Vice President Medical, Academic and Research Affairs. Dr. Siddhartha continuously strives to improve access to mental health services and has been instrumental in reducing wait times to see a psychiatrist to well below the provincial and national average. A firm believer in multidisciplinary teams, Dr. Siddhartha is also passionate about practicing from the front lines and setting an example for his colleagues. “Leadership is how you interact with your colleagues, and everyone is a leader in some way,” said Dr. Siddhartha. “Success is measured This spring, I took a chance and started down a new career path. I was awarded a temporary position in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at the New Brunswick Heart Centre at Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital. I have worked in many places and in various clinical settings. However, this story is not about me; it is about the extraordinary staff I have had the privilege of working with over eight weeks. The “Cath Lab” is an environment like no other. To say that this area is intense is an understatement. From the perspective of a “newbie,” the learning curve is steep. A previous expert is reduced to a novice. However, in the midst of the cloud of the sometimes-overwhelming amount of knowledge to be learned, is the kindness, patience, encouragement and support of EVERY staff member. The nurses are incredible. Their dedication is unwavering. The care they give to their patients is exceptional, and all of this is done willingly without complaint 24 hours a day, every day. Sometimes it is as simple as a warm blanket around a patient’s shoulders, a kind word, a moment of reassurance; there is never a shortage of all of the above by any member of the staff.
PLAN FOR THE FUTURE It’s important to think ahead about your health and the decisions that you may have to make some day. To reduce the chances of getting slowed down in the future, make those decisions now. This can include everything from wills and estate planning to powers of attorney for financial and medical purposes. It can also include decisions about nursing home preference, should you require one. It is important to keep this information up to date. EAT HEALTHY Follow a healthy meal plan. It is well known that eating a healthy and balanced diet improves health. Canada’s New Food Guide outlines healthy daily requirements. Your requirements may be different depending on specific medical conditions or level of activity so ask your doctor if you are not sure. always search for information about events/resources in your community on Google. You may find interesting volunteering opportunities that can help get you active and engaged in your community. EXERCISE EVERY DAY Seniors should aim to exercise every day. This exercise can take many forms, such as cardiovascular (i.e. walking, aerobic fitness classes), strength training, stretching and balance activities. with age. Older adults need just as much sleep as younger adults – seven to nine hours per night – but often get much less. Lack of sleep can cause depression, irritability, increased fall risk, and memory problems. SLEEP WELL Your need for sleep does not change KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY Learn about the programs and services offered in your community. Many communities hold wellness fairs that have a lot of great information. If you are internet-savvy you can
STAY SOCIAL Research shows isolation and loneliness can be bad for your health. Try to limit this by becoming engaged and active in your community. Of course, there many ways to stay social such as attending community events, going to an exercise class, taking a course, having a coffee with friends or volunteering. It’s also important to build connections with friends and family. PRACTISE PREVENTION Keeping regular with your doctor appointments, immunizations (including a yearly flu vaccine), age appropriate screening, blood work and regular hand washing can go a long way toward keeping you healthy as you age. RELAX Always take time to reduce stress in your life. This can take many forms including regular meditation, laughter, spiritual practises, exercise and socialization. TALK TO YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST Get to know your local pharmacist. Your pharmacist is a wealth of knowledge, and can provide a wide range of services and health information. They are also very helpful in reviewing your medications and ensuring safety. Don’t be afraid to approach or call the pharmacist you regularly use to ask questions. Also, try to maintain a consistent pharmacist so that they get to know you too! KEEP LEARNING Continual learning and keeping your brain active are important as you age. This can be as simple as learning a new hobby or as formal as an actual education program. Many universities and colleges have special rates for seniors.
Dr. Sanjay Siddhartha with his Canadian Certified Physician Executive designation certificate. by what you do every day on the front lines accomplishing your tasks.” An important part of Dr. Siddhartha’s front- line work is making house calls to those in need of mental health support, a practice he encourages his fellow clinicians to adopt.
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An Old Newcomer Sue Lanteigne, Registered Nurse (RN), Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital
From the porters who bring the patients to and from the procedures, the administrative support staff who keeps everything running smoothly, to the environmental services staff who help to prepare each room before and after each case (and who are often the ones to ensure the patients have plenty of warm blankets), it’s a real team effort. Every member works together to make what can be a very frightening experience, a little less so for the patient. The Interventional Cardiologists are amazing. Their focus is also totally patient-centered. They strive for the best outcome for every patient. They truly treat every patient as they would treat their own loved one. Their kindness is obvious in the way they communicate with patients, staff, and often in consulting with each other, before, during and after procedures. I would be remiss if the knowledge and expertise of the radiological technologists was not highlighted. They are so integral to the entire process, facilitating specialized diagnostic interventions, which makes accurate diagnosis and treatment possible. Every one of them has been ready to impart knowledge. It is a very talented group, indeed.
Horizon’s Recognition Month – another great success! with gifts as a token of appreciation to mark their respective years of service at luncheons held in their honour. And kudos to Horizon’s Engagement and Recognition Committees for making Recognition Month a huge success!
Successful second annual Harm Reduction Symposium
In March, the second annual Harm Reduction Symposium brought together hundreds of stakeholders from across Canada to help raise awareness, educate and enhance harm reduction collaboration. Horizon is a proud sponsor of this event, held in Saint John, which allows stakeholders to present innovative approaches in the field of harm reduction. Dr. Duncan Webster, an infectious diseases doctor and a medical microbiologist at Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital, said through a harm reduction approach we can decrease unnecessary deaths in our community and help move forward with the World Health Organization (WHO) Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS elimination plans. People who use drugs (PWUD) quite often find it difficult to access health care services because of stigmatization, discrimination and isolation, which results in poorer health outcomes. Reframing the way health care providers think about and describe PWUD is a key component in reducing stigma surrounding those who suffer from addiction and drug use. Moms Stop the Harm is a network of families from across Canada who have lost their children from drug related harms or who have struggled with substance use. They called for an end in the war on drugs and encouraged health care provider to embrace an approach that reduces harms and respects human rights. Members from the Halifax Area Network of Drug Using People (HANDUP) spoke bravely about their journey with drug use. Involving those who are battling substance use disorder is essential to planning solutions. The harm reduction approach recognizes that high risk behaviour might continue despite the risks. However, it is the right thing to do as it has been proven to reduce risks, decrease the spread of infection, prevent overdose and death and ultimately connect and engage people in health care to improve outcomes and quality of life.
Horizon honoured thousands of employees at Years of Service and Retirement celebrations across the organization in May, which is Recognition Month. More than 2,100 employees were recognized for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 45 years of service. Horizon also presented 300 retirees
The 2020 symposium will take place next spring. Event details will be posted at Eventbrite.ca. Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits may be available.
Horizon thanks and congratulates this year’s honourees for their incredible dedication and commitment to their professions and to Horizon, and wishes best of luck to those retiring.
Horizon employees who wish to view a full list of employees who reached Years of Service milestones in the last year can visit the Employee Engagement page on Skyline.
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Dr. DuncanWebster, an infectious diseases doctor and a medical microbiologist at Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital, speaks to the large crowd at the second annual Harm Reduction Symposium.
UNB researchers exploring weight stigma in health care From Andrea Bombak, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick A University of New Brunswick (UNB) study is exploring diverse New Brunswick residents’ experiences with health care and how location and community affects health.
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the experiences of newcomers to Canada and individuals who identify as Indigenous. The groups selected as the focus of this research are known to encounter unjust treatment or attitudes, which is linked to risk for some chronic diseases. Researchers are interested in hearing about people’s experiences in and out of health care and the places in New Brunswick that make being healthy more or less difficult. This project has been reviewed by the UNB Research Ethics Board and is on file as 2019-035. If you have a patient or client who would like to find out more about the study, they can contact assistant professor Andrea Bombak at andrea.bombak@unb.ca or 506-429-2130.
Weight stigma (stereotyping or discrimination based on weight) occurs in many settings, including health care. People who experience weight stigma may avoid seeking health care, receive a lower quality of care, misuse their medications, be less active, and deal with high levels of stress and mental health challenges. As well, weight stigma doubles the risk of stress and worsens diabetes symptoms; not liking your body is associated with developing diabetes over time. For groups also affected by other forms of prejudice, weight stigma may worsen health outcomes. There are gaps in understanding weight stigma among different groups. Most studies do not include very diverse samples; studies that do include diverse samples show differences between genders, social classes, and racial groups in experiences and effects of weight stigma. We need to understand how multiple forms of injustice can interact with weight stigma to affect health outcomes in New Brunswick. To do this, researchers at UNB Fredericton are conducting interviews and visiting sites with persons of a higher weight who are also living on a low-income, 65 years of age or older, or identify as mostly Francophone. Next summer, the researchers hope to expand into exploring
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The University of New Brunswick research team exploring weight stigma in health care, from left: Alison Turner, MA Candidate, Department of Sociology; Julia Sheehan, BA Candidate, Department of Political Science; Jen Rowett, PhD Candidate, CCC-S, LCT, Instructor, Faculty of Education; and Andrea Bombak, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology.
Symposium committee members KimWilbur, left, RN, UNB Nursing and LindaWilliams, Public Health nurse.
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#ResearchAtHorizon: Bikes N’ Trikes program gives N.B. youth with neuro disorders freedom to play
Comfort in times of joy and sadness: Miramichi Hospital Auxiliary celebrated for 100 years of care
Cassie Dolliver has seen how auxiliaries can provide comfort in even the most sterile environments. As a mother, she benefitted from the comforts they provided when her son was born; as the Palliative Coordinator at Horizon’s Miramichi Regional Hospital, she’s seen how the auxiliaries’ gifts bring comfort in times of joy and sadness. “You share your time and skills to those under the care of the hospital and add a personal touch to an often-sterile environment,” Cassie said at the 100th anniversary celebrations of Horizon’s Miramichi Regional Hospital Auxiliary in early April, which was marked with a luncheon and tea at St. Andrew’s United Church in Miramichi. “Your gifts are unprejudiced and abundant. You do this because you care, and these noble acts request no recognition,” she said. “What a powerful sentiment you are giving to a person preparing to take their last breath, or to a tiny soul that’s just taken its first.” Dawn Savoy, president of the auxiliary, said the group is an amalgamation of three former volunteer groups: Hospital Aid (formed in 1919), Hospital Club (formed in 1950) and the volunteer department (formed in 1976). They joined forces in 1986 to become the Miramichi Regional Hospital Auxiliary. “During Hospital Aid’s first year, they donated a grand sum of $246 to the hospital,” she said. “Now my research tells me that’s over $3,000 in today’s money, so that’s pretty significant.” During the luncheon, nine women were presented with Honourary Life Memberships to the auxiliary: Phyllis Hamilton, Winnie Matchett, Debbie Whitney, Carolyn Taylor, Wendy Mathews, Betty Doyle, Geraldine Fitzpatrick, Mildred Savoy and Carol Anne Smythe. Rachel Butler, Shirley Donovan, Salome Legge, Betty O’Shea, Jeannie Bell, and Aileen Whitney were also honoured, but were not present. Karen McGrath, Horizon’s president and CEO, wondered what health care and auxiliaries would have looked like 100 years ago. “The wives of the doctors were the first auxilians in Canada; they got together to
For many New Brunswick youth, the arrival of spring means going outside to play – and riding a bike is one of the most popular outdoor activities. However, commercially available bikes and trikes may not meet the unique needs of children and youth with neurological diagnoses, such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or spina bifida. A Horizon program unlike any other in Canada aims to change that, making it possible for these kids to spend time outside being active with their friends and families. Bikes N’ Trikes began at Horizon’s Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation in 2012 and continues with the support of the Stan Cassidy Foundation. The innovative program adapts bikes for its young patients free of charge. Because these bikes are very expensive to adapt, and because families can keep them, the program removes a significant financial barrier. Tracy Ferguson, a physiotherapist with the Pediatric Neuromotor Team at the Stan Cassidy Centre for the past 10 years oversees the program. After running the program for several years, she was curious to better understand how the program may be helping to improve her patients’ and their families’ physical
Tracy successfully applied to Horizon’s Research Services’ SOAR team, who provided her with dedicated research support. Then, to access funding to support interviewing past program participants and their families, Tracy and SOAR team manager, Dr. Natasha Hanson made a pitch at the Patients’ Den. Held on May 10, 2018, the Patients’ Den was organized by the University of New Brunswick’s Primary and Integrated Healthcare Innovations Network, and had a panel of eight patient advisors judge teams’ pitches. With their strong presentation, Tracy and Natasha were one of three successful teams to receive $5,000 in funding. Almost a year later, preliminary interview data suggests having access to adapted bikes and trikes has had a positive impact on the quality of life of children with disabilities, as well as a means of increased socialization and leisure. Tracy is now looking ahead to September, where she will share this unique program’s outcomes at the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine’s 73rd annual meeting in California. The Research Team included: • Tracy Ferguson, Pediatric Physiotherapist, Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation • Dr. Natasha Hanson, Team Manager, SOAR Team, Research Services • Rankyn Campbell, Research Assistant, Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation The Bikes N’ Trikes Program would not be possible without the support of generous donations to the Stan Cassidy Foundation. This research is also made possible by Horizon’s Support Opportunities and Assistance for Research (SOAR) Program, and the Patients’ Den research funding competition. Tracy Ferguson, physiotherapist at the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, receives her award at the Patients’ Den from one of the patient advisor panellists, Kevin Standing.
From left are Karen McGrath, president and CEO of Horizon Health Network, with the Honourary Life Members of Horizon’s Miramichi Regional Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, Phyllis Hamilton, Winnie Matchett, DebbieWhitney, Carolyn Taylor, Wendy Matthews, Betty Doyle, Geraldine Fitzpatrick, Mildred Savoy, and Carol Anne Smythe. Not pictured are: Rachel Butler, Shirley Donovan, Salome Legge, Betty O’Shea, Jeannie Bell, and AileenWhitney.
and mental health and social relationships ultimately leading to better quality of life. She soon learned few others have studied programs like Bikes N’ Trikes, creating a unique chance for her to collect evidence and further shape the care physiotherapists provide. To build her project, Investigating the impact of adapted bikes or trikes on the quality of life of children and youth with neuromotor disabilities, Tracy Ferguson, physiotherapist at Horizon’s Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, and Dr. Natasha Hanson, manager for the SOAR Team in Research Services, make their successful case to the Patients’ Den on May 10, 2018.
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Cassie said the tiny hat helped keep him warm and was the first thing he ever wore. She said it serves as a reminder of his size and is precious to her. “This tiny hat came from a stranger and while I was pregnant, dreaming of holding my long-awaited baby, someone out there, in our community, was sitting down and knitting or crocheting tiny little hats for babies they would never meet,” she said. Working in palliative, Cassie shared another important role the Auxiliary has for patients. With coordination from the Auxiliary, the Women’s Institute of Rogersville donated beautiful handmade quilts to palliative patients. The idea was for patients to be given the quilts, and if they were discharged home, they could keep it. If they died, the family was welcome to take them. One recipient had been a quilter herself; when Cassie showed her the quilts, she inspected each of them and spoke about the patterns and stitching used. “It took her away from being a patient and gave us a glimpse into the part of herself that quilted,” Cassie said. “She spoke about her friends that she would quilt with and that she originally learned the skill from her grandmother.” When Cassie told her that one of the quilts was for her, she was speechless. “She knew the amount of work that was placed into making them,” Cassie said. “When she died, her best friend took the blanket home and told me that when her heart is sad and lonely, she will curl up in that quilt and remember her.”
support the hospital,” she said. “They did things like wrap bandages, clean laundry and bring comforts to people who, in a lot of cases, had just returned from World War One.” Hospitals rely heavily on auxiliaries, Karen said, because they provide a little extra something to hospitals. “Everybody who is considered essential to the operation of our facilities has to be there,” she said. “They’re paid to be there. Auxiliary volunteers choose to be there, you choose to be there to make life different for the patients and families you serve.”
That’s the same level of care Cassie experienced.
“When my baby was born and placed in my arms for the first time, his little body had nothing on but this tiny hat,” Cassie said, while holding up small, light blue handmade hat. “This tiny hat that I will cherish and keep forever.”
*A version of this article appeared on the Stan Cassidy Foundation’s blog.
Owen Aucoin, a patient at the Stan Cassidy Centre, gives a thumb’s up to one of the custom-made bikes.
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