c a r i b o u h... t h e 2nd Annual Northern Remote Residency Survival Weekend

the
caribou heard
2013, April
In this Issue
Northern Remote Residency
Survival Weekend cont'd����2
Announcements������������������2
Photo Ops.......................... 5
Volume 11, No. 1
Your link to and from the North
2nd Annual Northern Remote
Residency Survival Weekend
Submitted by: Joanna Lynch, MD, CCFP
Associate Program Director, Northern
Remote Family Medicine Residency Stream.
We are on Facebook...........9
People Making a Difference
in their Communities
10
Library Services to
the Kivalliq Region &
Sanikiluaq������������������������11
Circumpolar Health
Research Network������������12
Kidney Disease Screening
Project������������������������������13
Frostbitten Physio Students
�����������������������������������������14
A copy of this and
past Newsletters
are on our website
at the following
URL:
http://tiny.cc/nmu_
news/
Google: J.A. Hildes Northern
Medical Unit
(l to r) Cal Bergen, Donna Anderson, Sean Glover, Lisa Craig, Matthew Alkana, Laura
Jablonski, Dan Catte, Jovan & Ian Whetter, Jacquie Thiessen, Martin Nguetsop, Nadin
Gilroy, Joanna Lynch, Carla Gemeinhardt
J
anuary – what better month to
hold a winter survival weekend
than the coldest month of the
year. Over 25 residents, staff,
faculty, and family members built
a quincy, learned winter survival
strategies, went hiking and
cross-country sking. And three
especially brave and adventurous
participants spent the night in the
quincy!!! The others could not be
coaxed away from the luxury of
our accommodations at Pinewood
Lodge in the Whiteshell.
The Lodge was sold out the
weekend of the 18th and every
guest was connected to each
other through current or past
employment with the NMU.
Meeting up with past colleagues
was an added bonus to an
otherwise beautiful weekend.
In addition to learning survival
skills, the weekend was a
...continued next page
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Medicine,
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
the caribou heard
2013, April
Volume 11, No. 1
Northern Remote Residency Survival Weekend
continued from page 1
wonderful way to connect on a social level with
colleagues and to remind us all of the joys of
winter living. Our thanks go out to the staff of
Announcements
T
he NMU was saddened to learn of the
death of Dr.
David McCullough
(Otolaryngology) who
passed away on the
9th of January 2013.
Dr. McCullough was
amongst the pioneers
of the NMU – with us
from the mid 1970's to
2010. He is one of only
a few specialists who
has been with the NMU
through its four decades
of existence.
Dr. David McCullough, 1974
Dr. McCullough's death
came shortly after the passing of another NMU
pioneer, Dr. Cyril Woolf (also Otolaryngology) who
passed away in October 2012. Dr. Woolf was in
the 1st group of specialists who went to Churchill in
1970 and continued to work with the Unit until 1985.
Our condolences to the families of both Dr.
McCullough & Dr. Woolf. Their pioneering work with
the NMU is a legacy which will continue for years to
come.
Since 2002, Dr. Fondi Winston Boyang has been
spending part of his year working for the NMU
and part in his home town of
Johannesburg, South Africa.
This past December though
he, regrettably for us, returned
home permanently. Fondi first
worked briefly in Norway House,
then was at PEM until the spring
of 2010. After May 2010 he
attended the communities of
Grand Rapids and Chemewawin.
Dr. Fondi
Fondi touched many lives in
Winston Boyang
Pinewood Lodge and Barrier Bay Resort who
provided excellent service in every way. s
Manitoba and will be sorely missed. We wish him
and his family all the best. Stay warm Fondi.
Dr. Jeff Ivey, who first went up to Churchill in 1972
for a six week elective is soon to be retiring. We've
asked him to write a reflection article for our next
Newsletter and look forward to including it.
We welcome Melissa Balness as our new Hospital
Based Physician Co-ordinator. Melissa previously
worked for eight years at Health Canada. She
is taking over from Kathy Harlos as Kathy steps
into her expanded role as Recruitment Officer for
Physicians & Allied Health Professionals.
If you haven't already done so, say Hello to our new
Receptionist, Angie Wall. Angie has been with us
for over 2 months now and both her and Melissa are
fitting in with the team like peas and carrots!!!!
Although Cathy Cao, financial assistant has been
working with us since last summer it was only on a
casual basis. In January we were pleased that she
was hired on full time.
Eunice Roulette, Financial Administrator left at
the beginning of February for a job outside of the
University. We wish Eunice all the best.
In her stead we were thrilled that retired employee,
Elaine Manzuik jumped in to help us out until
our new Financial Administrator, Kanchana
Sankaranarayanan started. Thanks so much for
holding down the fort Elaine and giving Kanchana
some training.
Kanchana comes with 8 years of professional
experience in accounting. She previously worked
for Financial Services as an Account Analyst at Fort
Garry Campus. Welcome Kanchana.
We said goodbye to the Island Lake Regional
Renal Health Program Manager, Dwayne Koop on
the 13th February. Dwayne started with us in the
summer of 2009 and over the last four years some
Send us your announcements: [email protected]
Page 2
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2013, April
the caribou heard
Volume 11, No. 1
Announcements
continued
Dwayne Koop's last day with the NMU.
of his accomplishments include the implementation
of new systems which improved patient care,
decreased unnecessary waste, and increased the
capacity for patients. We wish Dwayne all the best.
The positon of Island Lake Regional Renal Health
Program Manager has been eliminated and a new
position, Director of Health Programs has been
created. The Director will oversee the Renal Health,
Diabetic Foot, and Retinal Screening Programs. We
welcome Melody Genaille into this new role.
Melody comes with 17 years clinical and
management experience in several First Nation
communities. She has extensive experience with
remote nursing supervision and clinical operations
including human resource and fiscal managment.
Welcome Melody.
We would like to thank June Grey for jumping out of
her retirement yet again and taking care of the Renal
Health Program during the transition from Dwayne
to Melody. If you remember, June oversaw the
Program while Dwayne was on paternity leave from
April 2011 to April 2012. Its been great to have you
back June even for a little while.
Eileen Koop, Retinal Screening Nurse is not
returning to the NMU after her mat leave but will
be going to another Department in the Faculty of
Medicine working as a Research Nurse. We wish
Eileen all the best. Eileen had always liked the
research side of medicine so we know she will do
fantastic at her new job.
It seems all Koops have flown our coop!! (I know –
groan – but it was just begging to be said)
Our perky, Amy Dytnerski who was replacing
Eileen on mat leave will be staying on permanently
as a Retinal Screening Nurse. Ava Halpin, our
other Retinal Screening Nurse will be joining Robyn
Gordon-Brown in the Diabetic Foot Program. Ava
is busy with courses and attending clinics at HSC
and looking forward to her new position with us. We
will be recruiting for another Retinal Screening Nurse
to team up with Amy.
Monica Achtemichuk and Bonnie Tinker are
back to work from their respective maternity leaves.
Welcome back!!!!
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 3
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2013, April
Volume 11, No. 1
Announcements
Continued from Page 3
A big thank you to Pam Becker for jumping in to
cover the Rehab Program while the ladies were
minding their newborns. Pam stepped into big shoes
as the acting Medical Rehabilitation Co-ordinator
in January of 2012. Pam has done an excellent
job in providing continued support and leadership
to the rehab staff in the Kivalliq and overseeing the
implementation of the new Rehab Database begun by
Bonnie. She left this role at the end of March when
Bonnie returned from maternity leave. Thanks for all
of your hard work Pam.
The Inuit Health Program has been fortunate to have
Mike and Jeannine Wheeler as part of the Therapy
Services team in Rankin Inlet since the beginning of
2010. They have both brought energy and dedication
to the therapy team for the last three years. Mike and
Jeannine are leaving Rankin at the end of March,
but at least they won't be far, as they are settling into
Winnipeg to prepare for the imminent arrival of their
first child. The Rehab Team and office staff will miss
Mike and Jeannine as they are not only excellent
colleagues, but friends! Good luck to both in all of
your new adventures!
We welcome Alysha Friedman as the new OT/
Team Leader and welcome back Zach Harris in his
previous role of full time OT.
Betty Houghson, (l) at the NMU office at the U of M 1980
(r) Betty at the NMU 40th Anniversary Dinner (Dec 2010)
All of us at the NMU were very saddened to
hear of Betty Hughson's passing on the 7th of
February 2013. Betty was an integral part of the
NMU in its early years and a valued member of
the NMU team. Betty was one of the NMU's 1st
Inuit Interpreters having started with us in the late
1970's.
Betty loved helping the patients who came to
Winnipeg for treatment. As was stated in her
obituary: "Many times she would be called out in
the middle of the night, 2:00 or 3:00 o'clock in the
morning to help a patient. She thought nothing
of jumping in a taxi and taking off downtown if a
patient needed her at that time". That summed
up Betty and her passion for helping people.
Praisy Joseph, Renal Health Nurse who has been
with us since August of 2012 will be leaving on the
17th of April. We wish her and her husband Arun
(who also worked for us last year) all the best.
Our condolences to Michael, their children, and
grandchildren.
We welcome two new Renal Health Nurses, Natasha
Beaurdy, from St. Theresa Point, and Kevin Esau.
Kevin's wife, Jennifer Esau will be joining our team
as well as a casual dialysis nurse. Welcome all :-)
Sharon Hunting Retires
Congratulations to Dr. Karen Appel and Joe
Kalturnyk on the birth of their 1st baby, Emilia Anne
who weighed in at 6lbs 11 oz. We are all so happy
for you both.
Congratulations to Dorothy Parker, one of our
transcriptionists on the birth of her first grandchild,
Lily.
Congratulations to Jeanette Bouchard of Percy E.
Moore Hospital and her husband on becoming first
time grandparents of a baby girl. s
Sharon Hunting is retiring on the 3rd of May
2013. Sharon first ventured North in 1972 to
Fort Rae, NWT. Since 1992 she has been
committed to her role as nurse co-ordinator for
the Kivalliq area of Nunavut; 1st working for the
NMU and then for the Government of Nunavut.
We have set up a Tribbit site for Sharon where
you can leave messages, photos, memories, or
best wishes.
http://www.tribbit.com/tribute.html?t=1075921
Page 4
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2013, April
Volume 11, No. 1
the caribou heard
Photo Ops
Melissa Balness, Hospital Based Physician Co-ordinator
Angie Wall, Receptionist
A happy and surprised Cathy Cao, Financial Assistant
We suprised Cathy Cao by celebrating Chinese New Year:
(front) Angie Wall
(2nd row), Lori Thiessen, Gail Yacucha, Amy Dytnerski,
Cathy Cao
(3rd row) Ava Halpin, Elaine Manzuik, Julie Creasey
(4th row) Melanie Mackinnon, Sylvia Sunstrum, Joy
Langrell, Kathy Harlos, Jean Perry
Dr. Martin Nguestop at Garden Hill
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 5
the caribou heard
Garden Hill's Georgina Wood, Home Care Activity Worker
loves cooking for the elders and enjoys hearing their
stories. Georgina prepares activities such as craft work
and has 13 - 14 clients who come every 2 weeks to the
home care office for lunch.
Jeannine Wheeler, SLP with baby at 26 weeks!!
Page 6
2013, April
Volume 11, No. 1
(l to r) Dr. Hanka Hulsbosch, Nurse Ava Halpin, and Dr.
Keleigh James in Garden Hill.
Dr. John Warnica snapped this photo of his friend, Bob
Mayes in Algonquin Park.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2013, April
Volume 11, No. 1
(l to r) Dr. Camisha Mayes, PEM, Laverne Traverse,
Health Director Kinonjeoshtegon, and (front right) Janice
Vanderstein, NIC Kinonjeoshtegon meeting at Percy E.
Moore Hospital in Hodgson
the caribou heard
(l to r) Renal Health Nurses, Deanna & Alex Miller visit
the NMU office with their new son, Chester who couldn't
take his eyes off Gail Yucucha.
Our Health Care Providers at Percy E. Moore: (front row, l to r) Jeanette Bouchard (RN/EP), Drs. Mayes, Abood, and
Paracha (back row, l to r) Drs. Rehsia, Nasir, Malik, and McFee at Percy E. Moore Hospital in Hodgson
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 7
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2013, April
Volume 11, No. 1
Meeting with the Diabetes Integration Project: (l to r) Ava Halpin (Retinal Screening Nurse soon to be Diabetic Foot Nurse),
Jocelyn Bruyere [Regional Foot Care and Chronic Disease Co-ordinator (DIP)], Caroline Chartrand [Executive Director
(DIP)], Robyn Gordon-Brown (Diabetic Foot Nurse Clinician), and Amy Dytnerski (Retinal Screening Nurse).
Norway House, Amy Dyternski making her radio debut
speaking on the importance of retinal screening with the
Norway House Diabetes Resource Nurse, Olivia Hart
Page 8
Garden Hill Renal Health Unit, Tim Mentuck, Maintenance
Tech and Nurses Praisy Joseph and Vineeth Nair
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2013, April
the caribou heard
Volume 11, No. 1
Melody Genaille is filling the role of the newly
created Director of Health Programs overseeing the Renal Health, Diabetic Foot, and Retinal
Screening Programs
Kanchana Sankaranarayanan, our new Financial
Administrator
We are on
Facebook
J
ust a reminder that we are on Facewbook.
Please view our page and "like" us. If you do not
have a facebook account you can still "view" our page
- you just won't be able to make comments or receive
our updates.
Dr. Wendy Smith received her 20 year watch from
the University of Manitoba
Manitoba Continuing Professional
Development
Information on ATLS, ACLS, PALS,
Registration,
Forms, and more.
The facebook page is a place for us to share news,
announce upcoming events, and share photos with
you and is also a place where past and present
employees and friends can share their stories, post
photos and videos, and share events happening in
the communities where they work.
You can view our page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/JA-Hildes-NorthernMedical-Unit/100114110078688?ref=ts&fref=ts
or do a search for:
facebook j.a. hildes northern medical unit
Check out the MCPD
website for Events,
Programs, and Courses.
http://manitobacpd.com
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 9
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2013, April
Volume 11, No. 1
People Making a Difference in their Communities
J
Tim Mentuck, Maintenance Tech 3, Island Lake Regional Renal Healtht
okester, computer whiz, industrious, and
the person you want around to cheer you
up when you are feeling blue, Tim Mentuck
has been the Maintenance Tech of the
Island Lake Regional Renal Health Unit
since October of 2011. Married to Nancy,
(who works as a casual housekeeper at the
Unit) Tim was raised in Winnipeg. His father
came from Garden Hill and his mother from
Waywayseecappo.
Tim likes everything about his job and
enjoys working with the dialysis staff. Some
of his daily activities include: maintenance
of the Dialysis Unit, restocking of equipment,
and reordering supplies. Tim especially
likes a challenge. When the Diabetic Foot
Nurse's ultrasonic instrument cleaner
tube was leaking, Tim took it apart and
reconnected everything without further leaks.
All of the jobs Tim had before coming to the
Renal Health Unit have aided him in being
super at his job: Caretaker, Sheriff's Officer,
Band Constable, First Aid Instructor, Water
Plant Operator, Roofer and Eavestrougher,
and electrical and plumbing work. The Unit
is very fortunate to have Tim on staff. s
If you would like to profile someone in your nursing station or community who is making a difference to improve
the health of the community please send information and photo to Julie Creasey: julie.creasey/med.umanitoba.ca
Oliva Hart, RN at the Norway House Annual Diabetes Conference
Page 10
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2013, April
Volume 11, No. 1
the caribou heard
Library Services to the Kivalliq Region &
Sanikiluaq
Submitted by: Janice Linton
Aboriginal Health Librarian and Liaison Librarian for Community Health Sciences
S
ince 1999, the UM’s Neil John
Maclean Health Sciences
Library has been providing library
and information services to health
and social services staff in the
region as part of the NMU’s Inuit
Health Program. Over the years,
hundreds of books have been
selected and sent to the eight
Health Centres and the Medical
Rehabilitation Services Office
in Rankin Inlet. Staff can also
request topical literature searches
for patient care and have journal
articles sent.
We’ve been fortunate to have
Kim Parry join the Kivalliq Library
Services team in a temporary parttime capacity for a few months to
assist with providing the services.
Kim Parry, Librarian (L) and Breanne Mitenko (R), Library Assistant, packing
Kim recently completed a master’s boxes of new books at the Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library for
degree specialising in Library and shipping to the Kivalliq Health Centres & Sanikiluaq
Information Studies at the University
and Inuit health and health Information in
of Toronto’s School. She has been working as
Inuktitut can be accessed at:
the Consumer Health Librarian at the Neil John
Maclean Library for several months and brings
http://libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca/kivalliq
great experience and enthusiasm to her work.
We are so glad Kim was able to provide this
All the librarians at the NJM Library actively
assistance. She is the daughter of Jean Parry
support the information needs of patients, health
who has been an office assistant at the NMU
care providers, students, and faculty. Kim has
since 2000.
been a welcome addition.
Just as we were wrapping up the book
With Kim’s help, we were able to focus on
shipments to the health centres for 2012/2013
identifying and sending the latest clinical practice
Kim was offered and accepted a position at
guidelines for primary care to meet the unique
the Winnipeg Public Library. Kim has enjoyed
challenges of staff and patients in Nunavut.
working with us at NJM and the Inuit Health
Kim also updated our web pages which feature
Program. We wish her continued success in all
patient education information in Inuktitut and
her endeavours.
English. This provides one stop shopping for
Contact Janice Linton for more information about
busy nurses who want bilingual pamphlets to
the Kivalliq Library Services.
share with patients.
[email protected] 204/789-3878). s
The NJM Library’s webpages about the services
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 11
the caribou heard
2013, April
Volume 11, No. 1
Circumpolar Health Research Network
Submitted by: Dr. Pamela Orr
T
wo organisations have now joined together
to form the Circumpolar Health Research
Network. You can find out about this group at:
http://circhnet.org and you are encouraged to
join and to get involved.
Members can be individuals or organisations.
The University of Manitoba is currently an
organisational member and I am the university
representative on the board.
The organisation's goals are to foster education,
communication, networking, and research in
circumpolar health. The organisation puts
on yearly summer schools for postgraduate
students and health care providers on topics
of interest and provides travel grants to foster
attendance.
Page 12
This organisation has been formed by the
union of the former International Network
for Circumpolar Health Research and the
International Association of Circumpolar Health
Publishers.
Please contact me if you have questions or
ideas or comments. We are passionate about
Circumpolar health, and we aim to spread the
love! s
Dr. Pamela Orr
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 204-787-7029
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2013, April
Volume 11, No. 1
the caribou heard
First Nations Kidney Disease Screening Project
Reprinted with the permission of Manitoba Renal Program & Aboriginal Health Programs
S
ome First Nations residents
will soon be able to get
renal screening in their own
communities under a new
program that aims to reduce high
rates of kidney failure among
Aboriginal people in Manitoba.
Manitoba Renal Program
is excited to announce its
partnership with Diabetes
Integration Project (DIP) on a
new kidney disease screening
initiative. The First Nations
Community Based Screening
to Improve Kidney Health and
Prevent Dialysis (FINISHED)
project will provide incommunity
kidney disease screening
and treatment to First Nation
communities in the Island Lake
and West Region Tribal Council
Dr. Catherine Cook, Vice-President of Population and Aboriginal Health
regions. The project is the
with Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Associate Dean, First
largest of its kind to take place
Nations, Métis, and Inuit Health
in Manitoba and aims to prevent
the need for dialysis through
diagnosing kidney disease early we can avoid the
prevention and early detection of kidney
need for dialysis or emergency care.”
disease.
"This is an epidemic,” said Assembly of Manitoba
Under the project, health-care workers will
Chiefs’ Grand Chief Derek Nepinak talking about
visit communities in the West Region and
the prevalence of diabetes and kidney failure
Island Lake First Nation communities. The
among First Nations people. “I am excited to see
screening teams will start in Rolling River First
the long-term impact this project will have.” First
Nation in March 2013 and visit several other
Nations Kidney Disease Screening Project.
communities until March of 2015.
Approximately 35 per cent of Manitoba Renal
The project was officially announced by
Program’s patients are Aboriginal and Manitoba
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Winnipeg
has the second highest rates of end-stage renal
Regional Health Authority and Health Canada
disease across Canada. In Manitoba diabetes is
on 27 February 2013.
the leading cause of kidney disease.
“This screening can improve health outcomes
“We want to prevent people from needing dialysis,”
for these First Nations communities,” said Dr.
says Dr. Mauro Verrelli, Medical Director with
Catherine Cook, Vice-President of Population
Manitoba Renal Program. “The earlier we can
and Aboriginal Health with Winnipeg Regional
diagnose kidney disease, the better the outcome
Health Authority and Associate Dean,
is for the individual. s
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Health. “By
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 13
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2013, April
Volume 11, No. 1
Frostbitten Physio Students
By Carrie Ryman and Natalie Marion, student physiotherapists
(l - r) University of Manitoba PT Students, Natalie Marion and Carrie Ryman
L
anding in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut on 18
February 2013 and stepping off the plane
onto the “tarmac” (a.k.a. skating rink) when the
temperature is minus sixty-five degrees Celsius
can be a bit of a shocking experience. For the
first thirty seconds we remember thinking: “It
does not feel any colder than minus forty in
Winnipeg…” and then it really hits you – it is
eyelash freezing, frostbiting, breath taking, bitter
cold.
We are on board for the experience of a lifetime!
Who would have thought we would be travelling
to the Great White North - and white it is - to
practice physiotherapy skills that have been
learned, rehearsed, and refined for the past
three years at the University of Manitoba, School
of Medical Rehabilitation.
Page 14
Our professors have done their best to prepare
us for all that we may encounter in our final
practicums and after graduation. However,
while facts and skills are great to acquire in
a classroom and under controlled conditions,
learning about our Canadian heritage, which has
been greatly impacted by the Inuit people and
their culture, is best done by immersion.
So, here we are, bright eyed and bushy
tailed, prepared to learn all about providing
rehabilitative health services to Rankin Inlet and
other communities in the Kivalliq region!
In our first week we tried absorbing as much
information as we could. Learning about
family dynamics, the Inuktitut language,
country food, and how hunting really is a
way of life here. Needless to say, there was
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2013, April
the caribou heard
Volume 11, No. 1
still so much to discover from a remote,
primarily Inuit community. It is becoming
evident as each day passes that cultural
values and beliefs significantly impact our
practice as physiotherapists. There are
preconceived notions, or no notion at all, of who
physiotherapists are and what they do. After
all, the word for “physiotherapist” in Inuktitut is
“Piqailisatiik” meaning “Person who makes you
exercise.”
Our second week was spent in Coral Harbour.
What an experience! Our caseload was full and
we were definitely kept on our toes. We also
had the chance to meet the wonderful staff of
the Coral Harbour Health Centre and had the
opportunity to work with an interpreter. Inuktitut
and its dialects is a beautiful language… but
would take a lot of practice to master!
Time flew by and there we were, back in Rankin
for our last two weeks of placement. Between
seeing clients, charting, clerical duties, and
meetings we had some time to ourselves in the
evenings to go for long and cold walks; watching
the Northern lights and simply relaxing and
savouring every moment because we knew that
soon enough, we would be back in Winnipeg.
One experience we will never forget was going
dogsledding. Is there really anything that can
compare to the feeling of effortlessly gliding
across a sea of ice, wind blowing snow powder
across the land, and listening to the sound of
soft paws hitting the ground?
Now, with only two days to go, it still feels like
we are settling in. We will be bringing home with
us great memories and a heart full of gratitude
towards our wonderful clinical supervisor,
Michael Wheeler as well as the other staff
members of the Northern Medical Unit based at
the Rankin Inlet Wellness Centre.
We could not have asked for a better
experience. We now have a better understating
of how a culture impacts what we can and
cannot help our clients achieve. We also had
the chance to see other health care professions
at work here in Rankin Inlet including
occupational therapy, speech language therapy,
nutritional counseling, nursing, midwifery, home
care, and social work.
Our stay here in Nunavut has definitely provided
us with a clearer view and understanding of the
“North”. It has opened our eyes to the struggles
people face regarding access to resources,
health care, and the feasibility of various options.
It also allowed us to see the resourcefulness of
Northern populations and discover how much
they value traditional customs, close family ties,
and make hunting and fishing their way of life.
s
(l-r) Physio Students, Carrie Ryman and Natalie Marion with the MedRehab Program's Physiotherapist, Mike Wheeler
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 15
the caribou heard
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by the American College of
Surgeons and provides a
framework for the management of the injured patient. It
is intended to allow the single doctor in a rural hospital
to effectively assess and manage multiple trauma.
The Course teaches a systematic approach for the
effective assessment and resuscitation of the severely
traumatised patient. The 2 day course consists of:
• pre-course test
• didactic and interactive core content
lectures
• practical skill stations
• surgical skill station
• triage scenarios
• initial assessment and management skill
station
• post-course test
Upon completion of the course physicians should feel
confident in the concepts and principles of primary
and secondary assessment, establishing management
priorities, initiating resuscitative measures and
demonstrating the practical skills used in the initial
assessment and management of patients with multiple
injuries.
A verification card is provided upon successful
completion of the course and is valid for 4 years from
the date of issue. a student refresher course must then
be taken to maintain ATLS® provider status.
The next advanced Trauma Life Support® Provider/
Refresher Courses will be held:
2013
- May 24-25
- August 23-24
- October 18-19
- November 22-23
Volume 11, No. 1
Send us Your
Announcements, Photos,
and Stories
Please send us your announcements:
accomplishments, births, marriages,
engagements, and community events
Photos of staff (administrative and health
care providers) for the newsletter would be
greatly appreciated as well as photos of the
communities you work.
Also, if you have a story you would like to
share in the Newsletter please send it in.
When you submit a photo it is with the
understanding it might be put in the
newsletter and we do not require written
permission to use it. If we would like to use
it for promotional materials (eg: brochures)
a photo release form must be signed.
Photos of patients in a medical context and
children are not used without the subject/
guardian(s) written permission.
Julie Creasey:
[email protected]
the
caribou heard
The Caribou Heard is published by the J. A. Hildes
Northern Medical Unit, Section of First Nations, Métis,
and Inuit Health of the Department of Community
Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
Please contact ATLS Department of Surgery:
AE402 - 840 Sherbrook Street
Winnipeg MB R3A 1S1
Phone: 787-2394
Fax: 787-4618
Email: [email protected]
Page 16
2013, April
Submissions can be made to Julie Creasey at T162770 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg MB, R3E 0W3,
[email protected]
Phone: 204-789-3510
Fax: 204-774-8919
Opinions expressed on these pages may or may not
be the opinions of the Editors.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication