Darcy Clinton, Paramedic Chief of Island EMS, and Mike MacKenzie, Primary Care Paramedic with Island EMS, were recently recognized as Covid Warriors and received a speciality COVID Warrior Coin, awarded by Her Honour, Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry.

“I was very surprised and honored to receive this award from Dr. Jain,” said Darcy. “Our commitment to patient-centred care is not possible without the dedication of Island EMS paramedics that support our communities – all of them are COVID Warriors every day.  I am extremely proud of the work they do to keep Islanders safe and healthy.”

This recognition is well earned, as both Darcy and Mike have been key players in the emergency response to the pandemic and have spent many hours ensuring the safety of Islanders. 

“I am very proud and honored to have received this pin. I accepted it on behalf of all my fellow paramedic and health care workers,” said Mike.

Congratulations, Mike (left) and Darcy (right)! Your talents and dedication to ensuring that Islanders continue to have emergency care is appreciated by all.

About the COVID Warrior Coin Award Program

When the pandemic first hit in March and April of 2020, Dr. Trevor Jain, Emergency and Disaster Physician, noticed a lot of Islanders doing amazing things to prepare PEI’s COVID response, with only a few being recognized at the time for their efforts. To turn something negative into a positive, Dr. Jain commissioned the COVID Warrior Coin to recognize the outstanding leadership, initiative and hard work of multiple Islanders and organizations who have gone above and beyond during this ongoing response to the pandemic. 

September 30 is recognized as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day, also known as Orange Shirt Day, and is a time to reflect on the residential school experience and to show support for the reconciliation process with First Nations.

On this date, we encourage you to wear an orange shirt to remember the children who were discovered in unmarked graves at residential schools and to learn more about this dark chapter in Canada’s history. From the 1800s until the late 1990s, over 150,000 First Nation, Inuit and Metis children were forcibly taken from their homes and placed in residential schools that left survivors and their descendants with intergenerational trauma that is still felt today. 

The origins of Orange Shirt Day date back to 1973, when a six-year-old girl, Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, arrived for her first day of school excited to wear a bright orange shirt that was gifted to her by her grandmother. Sadly, the shirt was immediately stripped from her body and replaced with a uniform. After that, she associated the orange colour with that shameful experience when, in her words, she felt no one cared for her and that she was worth nothing. Her story inspired this annual event which invites Canadians to come together, in the spirit of healing and reconciliation, to create a better future.

Don’t have anything orange in your closet? An official 2021 Orange Shirt Day T-shirt is available here for purchase. The shirt was designed by Shayne Hommy, a Grade 11 First Nation Cree student in Dawson Creek. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Orange Shirt Society.

Wearing an orange shirt is just one small way you can help be part of a better future and, in doing so, honour the memory of Indigenous children who lost their lives at residential schools.

The legacy of residential schools is captured in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final report which shares the stories of survivors and their family members.

Other recommended reading includes the following non-fiction books that explore the experiences of Indigenous people in Canada:

• From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle
• Secret Path by Gord Downie
• All Our Relations by Tanya Talaga
• Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga
• For a fictional book, check out Five Little Indians by Michelle Good.

Further selections can be found in Indigo’s Indigenous Voices: Non-Fiction section.

Reminder: all Medavie employees have access to these events for FREE!

The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) is a solution designed to help employers, diversity/human rights/equity, and human resources practitioners effectively address the full picture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace. At Medavie, we have partnered with the CCDI to develop our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy.

It is through this partnership that all Medavie employees have access to attend FREE CCDI webinars that cover a variety of DEI topics. Upcoming Webinars for the month of September are:

• Linguistic Diversity in the Canadian Workplace (FR)
  Date: September 2, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (ET)
  Linguistic diversity addresses how companies can be inclusive of employees whose first language is different from the one primarily spoken in the province where they work. It explores how Canada’s two official languages can promote the values of linguistic inclusion in the workplace. We recommend this to employers with a multilingual and diverse workforce.
• Addressing Anti-Asian Racism in the Workplace (FR)
  Date: September 9, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (ET)
  With an alarming increase in anti-Asian animosity, bias-based incidents, and violence against people of Asian descent, this webinar provides a space to explore the origins of anti-Asian racism, including stereotypes and myths, impacts on staff and clients, and how to build a meaningful Asian alliance in the workplace.
• How to build and sustain employee resource groups (EN)
  Date: September 16, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
  ERGs (employee resource groups) are voluntary, employee-led groups which foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with the organization’s vision, mission and values. This webinar addresses how to launch and successfully sustain your organization’s ERGs.
• Creating effective D&I councils and committees
  Date: September 28. 2021 at 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
  A diversity and inclusion committee is a crucial step towards developing a business strategy that can foster a climate of inclusion through best practices in policy design, talent management and accountability. This webinar will discuss how you can build and maintain effective D&I committees needed to achieve these goals. It carefully walks you through the necessary steps starting from how to launch a committee to developing a three year plan.

HOW TO REGISTER

To register for a webinar for free, follow these easy steps:

• Click the link for the webinar that you would like to attend.
• Fill out the required information.
• Write in Medavie as the organization

• Select Employee Partner
  

• Done! Enjoy the webinar.

Now, as restrictions are beginning to lift, it’s more important than ever to receive your second dose. The more protected you are against COVID-19, the more your family, friends and co-workers are, too.  If you’re hesitant about getting vaccinated, we invite you to read our article that dispels common myths about COVID-19 vaccines.

If you’re looking for more information about COVID-19 vaccines in Canada, including percentages of people who are vaccinated, check out the Government of Canada’s website.  

Thank you for doing your part to help improve the wellbeing of all Canadians. Don’t forget that continued use of safety measures such as frequent hand washing, social distancing and wearing a mask are still important tools to help keep everyone safe. We can do this, together!

Doing our part

Medavie is proud to have joined forces with two national campaigns that encourage vaccinations among Canadians. Faster Together is a national volunteer-based initiative to promote COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. This is Our Shot is a national campaign that aims to empower Canadians with the knowledge they need to feel confident about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Since the start of the year, Medavie Health Services has been highly active on the frontlines supporting provinces in their push to vaccinate residents. This has included all aspects of COVID-19 vaccination, from scheduling and booking appointments to drawing up and administering vaccines – at mass clinics, through mobile clinics and beyond.

Recently, the Government of Ontario launched another innovative program that’s taking vaccinations on the road to continue encouraging Ontarians to take the shot. Leveraging two GO Transit buses, Metrolinx has retrofitted them into mobile vaccination clinics called “GO-VAXX” buses, which are being staffed by members of our MHS team. The buses are travelling throughout the GTA and Hamilton region throughout August and into the fall, offering vaccines to anyone aged 12 years and older. The first stop for the vaccine clinic on wheels took place this past weekend at Canada’s Wonderland, with 150 people getting their jabs. And media took note.  

Below is a snapshot of the media coverage about the GO-VAXX buses, including a television interview with Mike Adair who is our onsite clinic lead. Much like our MHS West Health Bus, it’s a great example of how we’re delivering care to Canadians where and when they need it.

GO-VAXX buses make first stop of Wonderland (Interview with Mike Adair)

Ontario launches COVID-19 vaccination buses, first stop is Canada’s Wonderland

Ontario, Metrolinx partnering to retrofit 2 GO buses as mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics

Ontario turns 2 GO buses into mobile clinics in new push to increase vaccine uptake

Culture Corner: Our Values in Action is a new feature of MHS Messenger that celebrates how Medavie employees are living our values each and every day.

Did you know over the past two months there have been 119 shoutouts given and 176 shoutouts received by employees across Medavie? That’s 295 shoutouts!

Shoutouts are a great way to recognize a peer for exemplifying any of our Medavie Values, be it Caring, Accountable, Responsive, Innovative or Community-minded. Through INSPIRE, our wellbeing and recognition platform, it’s easy to recognize your peers through the shoutout feature. These messages of recognition are visible on the daily feed and allow anyone in the organization to get involved by commenting or liking the shoutout.

The INSPIRE shoutout board has also seen a lot of exciting energy these last few weeks related to our Medavie Inspire World Tour Challenge.  Many of you have been motivated and inspired by your fellow team members for Caring and for holding you Accountable to your own health and wellbeing. For example:

“To the TRICKA team!  Who always take the time to build each other up and to make sure we are becoming our best selves!” 
– Coralynn Murray, Marketing Coordinator, to her team “Tricka Toe Ticklers’” (teammates Rosann Savidant, Kyra Goguen, Tessa Purcell, Ashley Pugh and Isabelle St. Pierre)

 “WOW!! You girls are really rocking the INSPIRE challenge! I couldn’t have asked for better teammates to keep me motivated and accountable!! I have been having so much fun and feeling so good! Thanks for the great teamwork!! 🙂 Let’s keep going!”  
– Holly Murphy, Financial Analyst, to her team “Red Hot Chili Steppers” (teammates Cassey Steeves, Sylvie Daigle, Nathalie Boudreau and Jennifer Phillips)

 Many of you have also been generous in highlighting day-to-day examples of colleagues who are Caring and strive to make a positive difference in people’s lives through their words and actions.  Here are just a few inspiring quotes,

“Thank-you for sending a lovely care package after we completed a major milestone on a project.”   
– Nikki Hilton recognized by Leanne Michener, Director of Finance MHS West.

“Thank-you for looking after the PROMPT members, Ginette. You demonstrate the “Caring” value every day.  Un gros merci.”  
– Ginette Pellerin recognized by Ronnie Allain, Operations Manager, Bouctouche District, ANB

Remember, shoutouts can be big or small and you can earn up to 500 reward points each month for recognizing others! If you don’t feel you have a shoutout to give, you can always interact with other recognition posts by liking or replying to recent messages. 

Here’s how you can get involved!

All Medavie employees have access to these special events for FREE!

The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) is a solution designed to help employers, diversity/human rights/equity, and human resources practitioners effectively address the full picture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace. At Medavie, we have partnered with the CCDI to develop our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy.

It is through this partnership that all Medavie employees have access to attend FREE CCDI webinars that cover a variety of DEI topics. Upcoming Webinars for the month of August are:

• Building community relationships as an organization (EN)
  Date: August 10, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. – 2 p.m. ET
  Your current and future workforce live in communities and build their lives in and around them. This webinar explores the value proposition and tips for building inclusive community relationships.

• Safe spaces and effective conflict resolution(EN)
  Date: August 19, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. – 2 p.m. ET
  This webinar will reinstall the building blocks of safe spaces and explore effective conflict resolution practices.

• Inclusive marketing(EN)
  Date: August 26, 2021 1:00 p.m. – 2 p.m. ET
  The reality of inclusive marketing is that the bad examples outnumber the good ones. This webinar will tackle the subject of diversity and inclusion in marketing. We will examine real life examples of when marketing to a diverse clientele is done the right way, versus when it misses or ignores the target. We will also include tips and guides on how to create the sort of inclusive marketing plans needed to deliver a successful campaign.

HOW TO REGISTER

To register for a webinar for free, follow these easy steps:

• Click the link for the webinar that you would like to attend.
• Fill out the required information.
• Write in Medavie as the organization

• Select Employee Partner

• Done! Enjoy the webinar.

Important things to note:

• All Medavie employees have access to the CCDI Knowledge Repository where you can find DEI resources. Is it your first time accessing? Register using your work email address at this link https://ccdi.ca/knowledge-repository-registration/
• Events will be in either French or English, which is indicated on the event information.
• Be sure to check back regularly for more Webinars on the CCDI page and follow the steps above to receive free access. We will continue to highlight them at the beginning of each month, so you don’t miss any exciting events!

---

At Medavie, everything we do is to improve the health and wellbeing of Canadians, and we have never been more committed to that mission than over the past year. When COVID-19 affected nearly every aspect of our lives, our teams stepped up to help Canadians and the communities they call home.

The needs of our communities have been significant throughout this crisis, especially for our most vulnerable and at-risk community members. That’s why just weeks into the pandemic, through the Medavie Health Foundation, we committed $5 million through a COVID-19 Response Fund to improve access to food and youth mental health services — the most we have ever committed through our Foundation in a single year.

We have been inspired by the stories of people the Fund has supported from every corner of our country who are caring for Canadians and building a healthier future together. And now, you’re invited to explore the stories highlighted in the COVID-19 Response Fund Report and see how communities have come together in the face of considerable change and uncertainty.

We are incredibly proud of the impact this Fund had on areas of food security and youth mental health, especially for communities most impacted by the pandemic. We know the full impact will continue to be felt as funds are disbursed through 2021 to help communities recover.    

Explore the report online at medavie.ca/stories/communities-together.

Feel free to share with your colleagues and friends. And, while you’re exploring the report, consider checking out the rest of Our Stories, a new section on our website highlighting the people, projects and initiatives that are helping to improve the wellbeing of Canadians. New stories are added regularly.

Medavie Health Services (MHS) West is pleased to announce that Lifeline Ambulance Service Inc., known as Moose Jaw & District EMS, will join its family of companies, while continuing to best support the needs of patients in Moose Jaw, the town of Central Butte and surrounding communities.

“Our team at Moose Jaw & District EMS prides itself on delivering a high standard of quality care and best serving the needs of the people in our communities,” says Kyle Sereda, Chief, Moose Jaw & District EMS. “With a mission to improve the wellbeing of Canadians, MHS West shares in our commitments and provides our service with an important opportunity to build on our well-established programs and services, while looking at new ways to provide care to people in their homes.”  

Moose Jaw & District EMS will continue to serve the community while becoming known as MHS West – Moose Jaw. The team currently responds to 5,000 calls annually, delivering a tiered response of Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support service delivery in both urban and rural environments through standby and on-site deployment. Kyle Sereda will remain in his role as Chief and Angela Sereda, the current Deputy Chief, will transition to a new role as Manager, Mobile Integrated Health.

“At MHS West, we are committed to providing innovative health solutions that serve to meet the needs of our patients and communities,” says Gerald Schriemer, Chief Operating Officer, Medavie Health Services West. “We look forward to welcoming the team from Moose Jaw & District EMS to our family of companies. As well, working collaboratively with everyone on-the-ground to build on the many successes achieved to date, while evolving and enhancing service deliveries into the future.”

Moose Jaw Today

CJWW-AM News

2020 Welcome to Leadership Cohort

Editor’s Note:  Culture Corner: Our Values in Action is a new feature of MHS Messenger that celebrates how Medavie employees are living our values each and every day.

A big shout-out to the 164 leaders across Medavie Health Services enrolled in our 2020 Welcome to Leadership program for living our Medavie Values. The group started their journey last September and are working toward achieving the program requirements by December of this year.

Medavie Welcome to Leadership is a 12-month program organized in partnership with Harvard ManageMentor®. It requires discipline as leaders access self-directed, on-line modules and quizzes to complete the program and graduate. The program is being co-facilitated by Marie-Noelle Do-Thanh, Organizational Development Consultant; Edgar Goulet, Vice-President, Quality, Patient Safety and Education; Craig Burgoyne, Organizational Development Specialist; and Kim McIver, HR Lead – Respectful Workplace Advisor.

Kudos to this team of Community-Minded leaders for demonstrating Accountability to their own personal development and to continuous learning as they journey-on this year!

The Medavie Welcome to Leadership program targets leadership foundations and provides opportunities to gather and share best practices about key leadership accountabilities. It includes access to a learning path linked to our values and includes a library of bilingual modules and Leadership Cafés on targeted topics to leverage learnings and key concepts. Our leaders often report that one of the most rewarding benefits of the program is building an internal network with others and feeling a sense of connection toward common work and goals.

At the end of the 12 months and completion of eight selected modules, leaders will be invited to a graduation ceremony with Senior Leaders to celebrate their successful completion of the program.