Dryden Regional Health Services Foundations

DRHC Fishing Day planned February 25th, new lab technologist hired, Stuart McLean Vinyl Cafe

chuck — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:34:21 +0000

Dr. Kory Jollymore hones his skills in preparation for the DRHC Fish Derby!

The DRHC is a busy place, staff work extremely hard and we do our best to ensure there are opportunities to gather and socialize and get away from the grind. The month of February brings two fantastic events, the annual Ski Hill Night runs in early February and the Fish Derby takes place on Wabigoon Lake at the Dryden Flying Club. A dog sled run is also booked to compliment the night on the hill and should be great fun. Thanks in advance to our Staff for Staff volunteers that work so hard to make sure we have time to play. And to make the most of February we’ve snuck in CBC Radio Icon Stuart McLean at the Centre for a return of the Vinyl Cafe tour on the leap year bonus Feb 29th.

The DRHC is pleased to announce the hiring of hometown girl Laurel Rice as a Medical Laboratory Technician. Laurel completed her training in Winnipeg and has returned home to be closer to family and it’s wonderful news; we look forward to her high energy and enthusiastic approach to just about everything she does.

NOSM second year students Sean Bryan, Natalies Gleeson, Connor Edie, Amanda Bates and Andrea James have all arrived for four weeks of rural family medicine experience. They couldn’t have picked a better time to be here with all of the above social activities scheduled during their time here. It certainly won’t be all work and no play

That’s the short story here mid week, we hope things are well in thanks for following.

Rick Hansen visits Dryden, Ronald McDonald visits DRHC

chuck — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:30:06 +0000

: Ronald makes the rounds with DRHC Food Services gals

It’s been a busy week here in Dryden; we had a wonderful visit from one of Canada’s finest in Rick Hanson. The “Many In Motion” anniversary tour arrived here to great fanfare celebrating Hanson’s world tour that brought him through Dryden 25 years ago. The original Man in Motion tour took Hanson across 34 countries in 26 months to raise awareness and funds (over 26 million!) for people living with a disability. By completing this incredible journey Rick raised the the issue of accesibility on an incredible scale and improved the lives of so many people indirectly as a result. Visit the Dryden Observer online for coverage and picture from the event. (www.drydenobserver.ca)

As part of the celebration corporate sponsor of the anniversary tour McDonald’s arranged for Ronald McDonald himself to visit the hospital and take time to chat with some of the patients in hospital. Fittingly he stopped by the cafeteria where he offered a thumbs up to the burgers we prepare…in a related story the Hamburglar was caught in our walk in cooler and escorted from the property

Interviews for a Laboratory Technologist vacancy were held recently and a pair of Pharmacists are also being interviewed early next week to fill an opening in that department. We are pleased to welcome Dryden’s very own Susan Traini to the Occupational Therapy Department, it’s a great story when we are able to hire someone from our backyard and she brings and abundance of enery and enthusiasm to an already friendly department.

Next week NOSM arrives in large numbers as 5 second year Medical Students arrive for a 6 week placement; these guests join a visiting medical student from Australia (poor guy arrives when winter officially arrived here and he’s braving some -30 mornings this week) and 2nd year resident Dr. Bruce Cook. It’s a busy place when you factor in the 2nd year RN nursing students as well and there is a definite energy in the building with all the young minds about. It’s great.

Dr. Karen Mazurski is being celebrated next week at the community auditorium (www.thecentreonline.ca) for winning the Ontario Region One Physician of the Year Award. In typical Mazurski fashion she is very humbled by the award and somewhat reluctantly agreed to let us celebrate this wonder achievement with the community. At close to 30 years of service in Dryden we are very fortunate to have someone of her calibre provide the high quality of care here.

That’s my news on a frigid Thursday morning; we’ll catch up with you next week when the weather is expected to warm up significantly.

ttyl,c

Thank you Dr. Louttit; 20 great years of service!

chuck — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:34:04 +0000

: It’s official, she’s an officer and will have a sidearm

Last evening friends, colleagues and family members gathered in large numbers at the Best Western Conference Centre to say farewell to Dr. Patti Louttit. Dr. Louttit signed on with the Canadian Armed Forces and begins her training and orientation at 17 Wing Winnipeg on Monday. Over the past 20 years this Dryden born and raised gal distinguished herself as a fantastic parent to 4 lovely daughters, a caring and compassionate physician who delivered countless children and brought comfort to so many in our community. The evening was a fitting tribute and a sendoff marked by some wonderful speeches and a surprise piano performance at the end of the evening with Dr. Louttit accompanied by her daughter Michelle. Thanks to all who turned out.

Well one door closes and another opens as Dr. Richard Center and wife Catherine are set to join the health care team here in Dryden. Dr. Center will be our second full time physician in the Emergency Department, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge from his work in the Sault ste Marie ER department. Catherine will be working with the Crisis Response Unit and we are looking forward to having both on board and helping provide top notch health care services in Dryden.

In other news Dryden is hosting the third annual Northern Ontario School of Medicine Clerkship retreat February 3 and 4th. It’s two great days of learning led by our physician group and some evening social activities are planned, if we get some snow it will mark a return to one of the best backyards in Ontario as Dr. Gagnon traditionally holds a sliding/bonfire and ice hockey party at his home on Eagle Lake just 25 minutes west of town. He has an unbelievable sliding hill that runs down to the lake and it’s the god’s honest truth when i say that riders typically slide 50 yards onto the lake. The weather has been unbelievably warm and we actually could use a little more snow (can’t believe i’m saying that).

Renovations are starting to take place in the rooms on the ward, in two years or so the entire facility will have been turned over and the hospital will have the same modern feel and look throughout. It seems there is always something on the go and in health care change usually brings better things for the patients we provide care for.

That’s all the news for the first post of 2012; be well and good luck staying the course on whatever new year resolutions you have made in the name of self improvement and positive change

Merry Christmas all, may 2012 bring good things to everyone.

chuck — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:19:44 +0000

: Christmas greetings to you and your family

The snow is falling fairly heavily the past few days and we are definitely looking ready for the season, the snow machines can be heard/seen racing down the lakes to their favorite fishing spots and ice shacks have transformed the ice road into a cosy gathering of neighbours that all share an interest in the great outdoors.

I’m off for a week of rest and relaxation and I’m wishing you all the best to you and your family over Christmas. Put down those iPads, Ipods and cell phones for at least a day and truly connect with those important to you.

On behalf of all of us here at the DRHC, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year…

DRHC Christmas Party Fun

chuck — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:32:33 +0000

: Santa in action

Pics with Santa...followed by a nap

Sunday the DRHC Staff for Staff organized the annual Skate with Santa and over 80 children signed up for the big day with Santa. The Dryden Arena was booked for our personal playground and for two hours family and staff members enjoyed a free skate, pizza, pictures (and a skate) with Santa, goodie bags, gift cards for Wal Mart and a Ginger Bread Home…as good a deal as you’ll ever find. Hats off to Siobain Moore and the committee for making this annual event the success that it is.

Christmas is fast upon us, five days until the big man visits and we’re all looking forward to some time with family and friends. 2011 was an especially great year for us; we are grateful for the following gifts:

General Surgeon Dr. George Rabbat, wife Mays and son Alex joined us in July
Dr. Adam Moir, wife Nancy and children Emmerson and Kate arrived in July as well.
Dr. Dan Cutfeet, wife Jody and family signed a return of service agreement in January of 2011 to start practice in Dryden during the summer of 2012.
Dr. Bruce Cook, wife Kerry and children Ethan and Fiona bought a home in Dryden and Dr. Cook starts practice in July of 2012.
Dr. Kory Jollymore and wife Julianne joined the community in October and have settled nicely into family live and practice in the clinic.
We attracted a new Occupational Therapist to fill a short term vacancy.

We hope that 2011 has been good to you and your respective family and friends; sincere best wishes for good things in 2012…

Peace,

The world’s biggest/best skating rinks!

chuck — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:54:13 +0000

Ideal winter conditions have turned all the regional lakes into perfect skating rinks…low temperatures and no snow have created once a decade skating conditions just about everywhere you go. Families were out en masse this weekend to take advantage, you can literally skate for miles, people are driving their vehicles on the ice, ice fishing huts are popping up everywhere and the flying club planes were up and at em using their seasonal winter runway. Temperatures are now running just below zero with little wind and we’re taking full advantage of the lake. Check out the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2JDSswiW4c
https://www.facebook.com/groups/190328767646478/#!/pages/Dryden-Regional-Health-Centre/176124152414300

East Unit wishes all a Merry Christmas

Christmas parties are in abundance and the hospital has held their annual dinner/dance which was attended by 90 staff and spouses, a great time had by all. The various departments are planning their respective gatherings and the Staff for Staff Skate with Santa happens this Sunday at the Dryden Arena. The annual Physician Appreciation Christmas lunch goes tomorrow and we’ve got a full compliment and 100% attendance for this one (catered lunch helps this statistic!).

Dryden will be hosting the annual Northern Ontario School of Medicine Clerkship Retreat in early February once again. It’s a great chance to showcase the hospital and community to future physicians; our relationship with NOSM has directly impacted health care in a major way here in Dryden. Currently there are (or will be) 6 physicians that trained with NOSM; we’re happy to note similar developments throughout the region as well. It’s a great story that continues to unfold here in the north.

Socially there is still a lot upcoming before Christmas and during the holiday break, the Fort William Male Choir performs this Friday at the Centre, the Dryden Ice Dogs play their final two home games next week, the Festival of Lights Christmas Eve transforms the Dryden Cemetary into a glowing tribute to family and friends that have passed on, the annual DHS Alumni Hockey tournament provides a great opportunity for guys and gals from years past to gather at Christmas, play some shinny hockey and tell stories of yore…lots of sore legs/back in the days after this event, I can attest to this.

We’ve had a great year here with many new physicians joining the team; and we’ll be saying farewell to one of our long serving community doctors as well. We’ve said thanks to some great people that served Dryden and the DRHC for many years and have been introduced to some fine new staff that bring new energy, ideas and youth to our hallways. Overall it’s been a good 365 days in 2011. We wish you and yours all the best this Christmas and here’s to better things in 2012.

See you next week.
c

DRHC Christmas Float wins, Holiday Train stops in Dryden

chuck — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:51:48 +0000

Dolly and Elvis rock the DRHC float

What a weekend it was here in Dryden! Christmas spirit has officially hit us as the lake has frozen over and with no snow cover Wabigoon Lake provided a rare opportunity for locals to get out and skate old school on the frozen surface. It’s beautiful!

Friday night the annual Santa Claus Parade boasted 36 floats and the night time spectacle enjoyed bright lights and lively characters as per this years, “Lights, Music and Action” theme. The DRHC float won for best float by an employer with 50 or more employees. Thanks to Al Woodworth and Cam MacGeachy for their great engineering…the fellas outdid themselves this year and the electric guitar was amazing.
1000′s of Drydenites and area neighbours came to town to take in the sights on a wonderful evening.
Saturday the Christmas train literally rolled into town as the CPR Holiday Express arrived just before noon. A cheque for $2500.00 was presented to the Dryden Food Bank and the huge gathering was them treated to a Christmas concert featuring Valdy. From there the crowd dispersed amongst the downtown stores and there was a genuine buzz in the air with people shopping, dining and chatting in the streets. Saturday night the Dryden Ice Dogs took to the ice against the nearby rival Sioux Lookout Flyers, and the DRHC Christmas staff party was a great fun for us in the dance hall of the Best Western. A great weekend had by all.

We are now planning a number of social events for the new year to acknowledge a pair of long serving DRHC physicians; Dr. Patti Louttit will be leaving on January 9th for the Canadian Armed Forces and a social gathering at the Best Western is slotted for January 5th. Dr. Karen Mazurski recently won Ontario Physician of the Year and we will be celebrating this great achievement at the end of July. Happy and sad times to some degree.

That’s all my news, hope this letter finds you well and we’ll catch up next week.
ttfn,
Chuck

Dryden’s Dr. Mazurski wins one of 7 Ontario Regions Physician of the Year Award

chuck — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:10:10 +0000

Last Thursday Dryden’s Dr. Karen Mazurski received a rather prestigious award from the Ontario College of Family Physicians. This isn’t the first time Dr. Mazurski has been recognized for the great work she provides her patients; she was honored with an award from the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada, for over 20 years of rural practice. For her advocacy work for smoke-free public places, she received a Heather Crowe award from Health Canada and a service award from the Ontario Tobacco Network. She was recognized by Cancer Care Ontario for her work with oncology patients with a Human Touch award. Well deserved and congratulations to an outstanding physician and community member. Below is an excerpt from the Ontario College of General Practitioners program where she was recognized by her peers:

Every year, the Ontario College of General Practitioners receives nominations
from each of its six regions to select the
Regional Family Physicians of the Year.
Each of the CFPC’s Provincial Chapters
select a Family Physician of the Year. Each
of these individuals will receive the Reg L.
Perkin Award as Canada’s Family Physicians
of the Year, and are recognized both
provincially and nationally.
The recipients of this award are members
who exemplify the best of what being
a family doctor is all about, including
exceptional care of their patients, a
significant contribution to the health and
well being of their communities in general.
You are invited to join us in honouring
Ontario’s Regional Family Physicians of the
Year on Thursday, November 24 at 5:30 pm.
This year’s Award Ceremony will take place
with the OCFP’s President’s Installation.
The recipient of the provincial 2011 Family
Physician of the Year award is
Dr. Philip Hebert.
Dr. Karen Mazurski, Dryden

Dr. Phil Vandewalle, Strathroy
Dr. Katalyn Ivanyi, Hamilton
Dr. Robert Wei Chu, Georgetown
Dr. Ray Dawes, Barry’s Bay

Bob and Doug McKenzie visit DRHC; we’re talking handwashing.

chuck — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:59:41 +0000

This has to be seen to be believed, it’s a special video prepared by two of our most unlikely “actors”…I think our CEO and VP missed their calling. We’ve nominated them for a Gemini Award. Enjoy! PS: for you younger viewers you may want to google “Bob and Doug Mckenzie” to get the context.

Jully Black brings down the house, Jollymore starts

chuck — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:29:14 +0000

What a show at the Dryden Centre for the Performing Arts here last evening! Jully Black graciously filled in for the Crash Test Dummies who had to cancel their scheduled performance and we were treated to what had to be the show of the year. Earlier in the day Black and her bandmates hopped across the street to the Dryden High School to visit and jam with students in the music program…the lucky learners gushed over the kindness she showed toward them (free tickets for 10 to the concert) and her amazing vocals. It is easy to see why she is a Juno Award winning performer and why she was chosen to be a part of the Vancouver Olympics opening ceremony. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiV4fbaupdI

Dr. Jollymore started his clinical practice on Wednesday and is fitting in nicely with his colleagues here at the clinic. Tuesday was lunch and media day with the Jollymore’s and they are genuinely happy to be in Dryden and looking forward to starting a life here, raising horses and becoming part of the community. Links to the interview and story will be provided next Wednesday.

It’s a busy weekend here in Dryden, in a nutshell here is what is happening in and around town:

Midnight Madness in downtown Dryden this evening, all stores open until midnight
DHS Sr. Girls Volleyball hosts Thunder Bay tonight and tomorrow in the main gym, winners go to the Provincials
DHS Sr. Boys Volleyball team in Thunder Bay, winners go to the All Ontario Championships
The Children’s Delight Series presents The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus! Friday, November 18th at 6:30 at The Centre.
Dryden’s Chris Pronger and the Philadelphia Flyers travel to Winnipeg Saturday to take on the Jets
Christmas and craft Fair at the Legion Saturday

In other news the DRHC is hosting it’s first handwashing video contest and CEO Wade Petranik and VP Robert Van Oort have just finished their “Bob and Doug Mackenzie” video where they discuss the benefits of handwashing over non alcoholic beer…it’s sure to be a classic! I’ll be posting all the vids on Youtube.

That’s my news for the weekend, we’re off to the Jets game and we’ll have pics posted Monday!

ttyl,