Wendy Naclia, health services manager at Norquay, welcomed everyone to the event staged on May 27 to recognize employees of the Sunrise Health Region who work at the Norquay Health Centre.
Naclia extended appreciation to the staff at Norquay for the high standard of care, brought about by each individual who works at the facility.
Sunrise Health Region board and executive committee members were publicly thanked for supporting the final phase of construction of the secure outdoor patio. The idea for this project was initiated by Deb Bates, the recreation co-ordinator. The patio is anticipated to be far more beneficial to the people who live at Norquay Health Centre and esthetically appealing, thanks to staff who took an interest and put forward ideas, discussed ideas and helped sort out the best option.
Naclia again thanked staff and the board for supporting this worthwhile project.
Guests of the event included: Shirley Wolfe-Keller of Invermay, member of the Sunrise Health Region board; Sandra Tokaruk of Canora, vice-president of Integrated Primary Health Services, and Joanne Bodnar of Sturgis, director of Long Term Care Services North.
The evening began with the showing of a congratulatory and appreciation video from Suann Laurent, Sunrise Health Region CEO, along with some staff and clients.
A moment of silence was recognized to honour colleagues who have passed away during the past year: Donalee Alberts, Cheryl Todoschuk and Shannon Long.
Recipients who were recognized, although were unable to attend the event were: Yvonne Hotzak, Patrick Livingston and Joanne Wonitowy for five-year service awards.
Lori Vogel attended to receive her five-year service award and Naclia offered her congratulations and thanks for her service to patients, home care clients and people who live in long term care at Canora Hospital, Kamsack Hospital & Nursing Home, Norquay Home Care and Norquay Health Centre.
Naclia congratulated Vogel on her having completed the LPN program while being a mother, wife and care aide along with various other roles and life events.
“Lori is quick study who works efficiently in a quiet and caring way,” it was said. “Lori is in demand so that when we do need her in a nursing role at Norquay Health Centre, she is often not available. Not that long ago she was called into work at NHC in the middle of a day shift to replace the nurse in charge, so not much notice. She was given a brief report before going on the floor. The day ran as smoothly and calmly as if she had worked that shift regularly.”
Staff receiving 15-years of service, although unable to attend was Shauna Reimer. In attendance for her 15 years of service award were Bernadette Twerdoclib and Darleen Rudachyk.
“Congratulations and thank you for your 15 years of service to the people who live at NHC,” Naclia told Twerdoclib. “Your mom would be proud of you and the legacy of care that you continue to provide as she provided for so many years.
“This was exampled just today as Berna was pushing one light person in their Broda (chair) while having another person beside her hanging on to the Broda for more of a fun walk.
The walking person is able to walk on her own, however this appeared more fun for this lady, as Berna encouraged her and chatted with her while they walked.
“Ladies on the health centre side have said to me, ‘I like when she is working, we have so much fun.’
“Thank you for your pleasant and quiet way going about your day and ensuring the job is done and done well,” Naclia told Rudachyk. “I know when I hear from Darlene, I should pay attention, she doesn’t raise a concern very often.
“Thank you, especially, for the times you have inconvenienced yourself or have been willing to inconvenience yourself to ensure we can serve the people who live at NHC and to support your co-workers when they need some work/life balance.
“Another admirable trait of Darleen’s is when she has committed to babysitting her grandchildren, she lets me know to be sure that she cannot be available those days.”
A 20-year award was to be presented to Adella Sapach, who was unable to attend the evening.
In recognition of Linda Lukey’s 25 years of service, Naclia said that Lukey has “as much energy at work now as she did 25 years ago.
“In LTC, so much is routine and the change curve can easily be too sharp, although not for Linda,” Naclia said. “It’s not very unusual to arrive at work in the morning and see or hear of something redecorated, renovated or thoroughly cleaned. It is likely that Linda worked the night shift.
“Linda is recognized as a care staff member who provides exemplary care to the people who live at NHC. She enjoys curling ladies’ hair, providing a thorough bath and trying to make people feel and look special.
“This was evidenced not long ago when she was sitting beside one of our people so she could be face-to-face. She comforted the lady, calmly re-orientated her to where she was, said that she would stay with us, that we would look after her and she would be OK.”
The retiree of the event was Dianne Romanow, whose service to patients was recognized.
“Congratulations and thank you on this, your second retirement from Sunrise Health Region,” Naclia said. “Diane has worked at Kamsack Hospital, Preeceville Hospital and Norquay Health Centre, most recently only working at Norquay Health Centre.
“You can also count on Dianne to say it like it is and not to be afraid to stand up for her department,” she said. “When Dianne had started working at Kamsack Hospital, one of the physicians came up to her and said: ‘Darling, would you please come do this X-ray?’
“She replied: ‘My name is Dianne, and when you call me Dianne, I will do your X-ray.’
“They then got along just fine and he never called her darling again.
“Dianne is someone you can count on to get in and get to work, and not to worry about details. This must be how she managed to work for quite some time in all three facilities, sometimes on three consecutive days, recognizing that a lot of those shifts would have been short notice to whichever facility.
“Dianne’s willingness to get the job done was consistently evident any time there was a birthday party, retirement or any kind of event to organize. She was always one of the first people to step up to the plate and offer to help.
“Thank-you again Dianne for serving patients in NHC. Enjoy your retirement with your grand babies, and Wilf too.”
A supper that began with of Italian hors d’oeuvres and continued with salad and the main course was capped off with a cheesecake was served. In thanking Alfredo Converso and Linda Osachoff, owners of La Campanga, and hosts for the evening, Naclia praised the quality of the meal and said that the ambiance had raised the bar so high that the group would find it difficult to hold the event at a different venue next year.
The evening concluded with some stand-up comedy and songs by Randy Nelson of Norquay, who is a member of Norquay Health Centre staff. Being gracious hosts, Converso added some stand-up comedy and Osachoff joined Nelson in some impromptu songs.
