Congratulations are in order for a long-standing physician who earned an award to recognize her exemplary service and expertise in the community.

Dr. Michele Matter is being recognized by Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority with a Physician Emeritus Award. Physician colleagues and community members had the chance to submit nominations for the prestigious award. Matter received a range of nominations, including from several paramedics, the team at the Selkirk Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine clinic, Ekosi Health Centre and leadership in Gimli.

“It is an incredible honour to be nominated for the Physician Emeritus Award and an absolute thrill to be chosen as this year’s recipient,” Dr. Matter said.

“It’s an unexpected yet very satisfying acknowledgment of the many years of hard work I put into my practice as well as the leadership and teaching I did.”

With more than 35 years of experience as a physician, Dr. Matter graduated from the University of Cape Town in December 1989. She worked for four years in Cape Town before leaving South Africa.

From there, her first stop was Scotland to pursue post-graduate education in pediatrics. That’s where she met a South African doctor who had been working in the Manitoba community of Leaf Rapids. That doctor told her about a job opportunity in Lynn Lake, where Dr. Matter ended up working for six years. It’s also where she met her partner, an RCMP officer who ended up being transferred to Gimli.

Thanks to a chance comment from Dr. Colin Nisbet, a previous chief of Selkirk ER who was teaching a course in Lynn Lake, Dr. Matter applied for a position in Selkirk’s emergency department. She got the job and worked there for the next 25 years before retiring in December 2023.

Since then, Dr. Matter has continued to work part time as a family doctor in Gimli and an addictions medicine provider at the RAAM clinic in Selkirk.

Some of her career highlights include being chosen as chief of staff or site lead at three hospitals in two regions of Manitoba —Lynn Lake, Gimli and Selkirk. She also had 10 years of experience teaching and providing on-call support for paramedics as their medical director.

In addition, Dr. Matter had the chance to work in Canada’s North, flying in to communities such as Brochet, Lac Brochet, Tadoule Lake and Pukatawagan to provide care.

“It was an incredible honour to have travelled where so few have, been able to see and appreciate the remote wilderness of the North and work with the amazing peoples who live there,” she said.

At the same time, her career helped create connections within the community while providing longitudinal care. She enjoyed the “absolute thrill and excitement” of the ER, as well as the satisfaction of getting to really know her patients in family medicine.

“Medicine has also given me the opportunity to volunteer my skills at many high-level sporting events, including the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, World Women’s Hockey Championships and the Pan Am Games, amongst others. Imagine going to work on a ski-lift,” she said.

“My newest love is the incredible joy of helping people overcome addictions and maintain sobriety, one of the most difficult things I think humans have to go through. These are not weak people; they are amongst the strongest I know. It is such an honour to be able to offer them the slightest support.”

When reflecting on her career, Dr. Matter shared some words of gratitude.

She described Dr. Colin Nisbet, previous chief of ER in Selkirk, as “the most amazing medical mentor a person could wish for.”

She also pointed to the positive impact of FeminEM, an informal WhatsApp group of the female physicians who worked together in the Selkirk ER through COVID and continue to provide each other with support and advice.

In addition, Dr. Matter is grateful for Dr. Shelley Turner, who taught her to dream big and encouraged her to always approach life with curiosity and kindness.

“To my patients who made all this possible, a huge debt of gratitude and love for the wonderful opportunities,” she said.

“To my teachers and mentors who made me the physician I am today, I couldn’t have done it without them. So when my turn came to take over those roles, it was done with humility and gratitude for those who led me.”

Dr. Scott Gregoire, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority’s regional lead of medical services and chief medical officer, shared gratitude for Dr. Matter’s contributions.

“Dr. Matter has served the community and has be the model for professionalism, competence and mentorship,” he said.

“On a personal note, she has been an absolute pleasure to work with and her care to patients is exemplary. To work with her has been a privilege.”

Read about past winners.

Creating ripples of positive change together

This year for National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 27 to May 3), Interlake-Eastern Health is acknowledging 368 people from around the region who are donating their time as volunteers in health facilities and programs.

The theme for volunteer appreciation is “Volunteers Make Waves.”

“Each of our volunteers contributes to the health care system in their own way. People who donate their time, energy and personal resources to help others are inspiring. Volunteers make communities stronger and healthier through the connections they make and the people they help. Together volunteers generate waves of positive change and we are grateful for all that they do,” says Interlake-Eastern RHA CEO, Marion Ellis.

Interlake-Eastern Health’s board chair, Michele Polinuk, identifies that health care offers many ways to contribute to enhancing people’s lives.

“If you or someone you know is looking to make a difference in the community and be of help to patients, residents and staff members, we have many different opportunities available. We thank and applaud each volunteer for their service throughout the year,” Polinuk said.

Interlake-Eastern Health’s recreation program, palliative care program and spiritual care program are all seeking volunteers. Assistance is needed with friendly visiting, reading, offering activities and crafts, assisting with meal times, helping with transportation and more. Specific opportunities are also available in some health facilities and with community partners such seniors resource councils.

The palliative care program is seeking volunteers for Camp Stepping Stones, an annual grief camp for children held at Camp Arnes, that runs May 30 to June 1 this year. To identify interest in volunteering, please contact Barb Ramsay, Interlake-Eastern RHA’s volunteer coordinator, [email protected], 1-855-494-7369.

Starting April 30 to June 25, the spiritual care program is running a “Spirit of Caring” training course every Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. People who complete training are eligible to become spiritual health care volunteers in Interlake-Eastern Health. To identify interest in this training, please contact Ferdinand Funk, regional spiritual health services coordinator by phoning 204-461-3414 or emailing [email protected] by April 25, 2025.

Learn more about other volunteer opportunities by visiting www.ierha.ca and click on About Us > Community Involvement > Volunteer-opportunities.

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Camp Stepping Stones

Camp Stepping Stones will be back in person from May 30 – June 1, 2025 and is looking for volunteers and campers! This camp is geared for kids aged seven to 17 who have recently lost a parent or somebody close to them.

Volunteers create a safe environment for kids to explore their grief alongside other youth who are also grieving.

“Volunteers are welcome to come for the weekend or for a few hours,” said Barb Ramsay, Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator. “We are looking for volunteers to come to camp to help the campers with craft activities on Saturday and Sunday morning.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can fill out an application form. Different volunteer options are available, such as serving as cabin leaders and helping with activities.

In addition to volunteers, Camp is also still accepting applications for campers are also available at:

https://www.ierha.ca/programs-services/palliative-care/camp-stepping-stones/

For more information, contact Barb at [email protected], 1-855-494-7369 or 204-785-7542 or visit:

https://www.ierha.ca/programs-services/palliative-care/camp-stepping-stones/

Assiniboine College celebrated the grand opening of its rural rotating Practical Nursing site in Beausejour. Read more: Assiniboine College celebrates grand opening for Practical Nursing rural rotating site in Beausejour | Assiniboine College

Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (IERHA) leadership was made aware of a social media post disparaging the search for the remains of murdered Indigenous women. Multiple staff members recognized the post as racist and brought it forward to leadership.

An immediate investigation confirmed the post was linked to an IERHA employee. Direction was given to remove the post and the employee is now no longer working with IERHA.

Posts of this nature are deeply hurtful. We remain committed to reconciliation, anti-racism and to mitigating further harms through swift and decisive action.

Interlake-Eastern Health is now accepting nominations for this year’s Physician Emeritus Award.

Physicians who are retired or have reduced their practice in preparation for retirement are eligible for nomination if they have provided exemplary service and expertise to their communities.

The nomination can be submitted by either physician colleagues or by community members.

Nominations should have three signatures and a paragraph about why the physician should be considered for the award.

The regional Medical Advisory Committee will consider nominations and make the final decision about granting the designation based on the considerations listed above. The award will be presented at the annual physician dinner in April.

“As a medical professional, there is no higher honour than being recognized by the community you serve or the colleagues you work with daily,” said Dr. Charles Penner, regional lead of medical services and chief medical officer, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (RHA). “I look forward to the nominations of physicians in the region who go above and beyond every day for their patients.”

Have a physician in mind? Nominations should take into account the following factors:

Length of service (commitment to the community)Scope of service

Recognition of exemplary skill by colleagues

Recognition by the community
Demonstration of the Interlake-Eastern RHA values in their practice (always with compassion, success in collaboration, accountability in everything we do, acting with integrity and respectful of each other)

Please send nominations to Jennifer St. Laurent at [email protected] by February 7, 2025.

The regional Medical Advisory Committee will consider nominations and determine award recipients.

Award recipients will be recognized in-person at the annual physician dinner in April.

For past winners and other information, please see: Physician Emeritus Awards – Interlake-Eastern RHA

As part of our commitment to better service, we will begin collecting email addresses and cellphone numbers at hospital registration in our region starting January 6, 2025. We value your privacy and will only contact you from time to time for things like appointment reminders, to share educational material tailored to your care, or for occasional opportunities to share feedback.

Please visit Email Collection – Shared Health to learn more.

Please note the following sites may be affected by holiday hours.

RAAM Clinic – Closed Dec. 25 & 26

Clinics – hours are posted here: https://www.ierha.ca/find-us/

Community Health Offices – Call before attending the week of Dec. 23-27. Phone numbers are listed here: https://www.ierha.ca/find-us/

Quick Care Clinic – Closed at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and closed Dec. 25

Emergency Department Schedules: Visit: https://www.ierha.ca/emergency-department-schedules/

Diagnostic Labs: All sites closed at noon on Dec. 24. Closed all day Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1
https://www.ierha.ca/programs-services/primary-health-care/diagnostics/

If you or a family member require non-urgent health care services, some doctors’ offices and clinics in the region offer extended hours care and same day appointments. Contact your local doctor’s office for appointment informati on.

Selkirk QuickCare clinic is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and most holidays. (Closed Christmas Day). Call 204-482-4399 to make a same-day appointment. Phones answered starting at 9:30 a.m.

For minor ailments and non-life threatening concerns virtual care is available through QDoc, a free, provincially funded, online platform that connects patients to doctors by video. Visit qdoc.ca for more information.

Some pharmacists have additional training that allows them to provide medications for conditions such as rashes or acne and some infections like recurring bladder infections. Please call before you attend to confirm the service you are seeking is available and that you are a candidate for treatment. To find a pharmacy near you, visit https://cphm.alinityapp.com/Client/CorporationDirectory.

Health Links – Info Santé is staffed with registered nurses and nurse practitioners who are available 24 hours a day every day of the year. Depending on patients’ described condition and community location in Manitoba, nurses can provide clinical guidance to contact a family physician or a walk-in clinic, present to an emergency department or to an urgent care centre and they can provide advice on self-care treatments at home. Call toll-free 1-888-315-9257.

If you’re caring for a sick child with a fever, visit www.ierha.ca and select “Patient Information” > “Where to go” > “Kid Care”. Helpful short videos featuring Dr. Andrea Wilkie-Gilmore, a pediatric emergency physician at Health Sciences Centre, will help to navigate questions about fever, symptoms, medicating and when to bring a child for emergency care.

Anyone experiencing mental health or addiction concerns can call Interlake-Eastern Health’s 24 Hour Crisis Line at 1-866-427-8628. Other mental health resources are profiled at www.ierha.ca > Programs & Services > Mental Health & Addictions.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, always call 911. In the event you need to visit an emergency department, visit “Emergency Dept. Schedules” to see emergency department status within the Interlake-Eastern health region. You can also call 1-886-267-5818 to select your community of choice and listen to a recorded message on emergency department status.

Memory trees offer a place to reflect on loss of loved ones

This year, there will be holiday memory trees in many facilities and public places for people to mark the loss of a loved one. Barb Ramsay, palliative care volunteer coordinator, says this is a significant way for people to process their grief and help themselves through the holidays.

“Every year we try to make the grieving process a little easier with the palliative care memory trees. We have all experienced loss and grief to some degree,” says Ramsay. “Support systems and ways to honor are an important part of the healing process.”

This year, Interlake-Eastern Health’s palliative care program has several places hosting memory trees to honor people who have passed away.

Southwest District Palliative Care(SWDPC) supports clients and their families specifically in the municipalities of Rockwood, Rosser, St. Laurent, Woodlands, part of Armstrong and the towns of Stonewall and Teulon, who are dealing with declining health or in need of grief support. SWDPC is now a part of the Nav-CARE program which facilitates the development of volunteer navigators to support persons living at home with declining health. The Board is thankful for donations and community support as SWDPC depends solely on both for its funding.

Traditionally, SWDPC also places Memory Trees in the South Interlake Regional Library branches of Teulon and Stonewall. Donation envelopes are available or can be made online.

Interlake-Eastern RHA facilities and the two libraries have memory card ornaments available to place on any of the trees for the communities, as well as any for patients, residents, families and employees in each area.

Below is a list of the locations and communities where Memory Trees can be found, each setup along with the help of RHA program staffand SWDPC Board members and volunteers. Everyone is invited to honor the memory of their loved onesand appreciate some time for reflection.

Arborg Personal Care Home
Ashern Hospital
Ashern Personal Care Home
Beausejour Hospital
Beausejour Primary Health Care Centre
Beausejour East Gate Lodge
Kin Place Personal Care Home in Oakbank
Eriksdale’s E.M. Crowe Hospital
Eriksdale Personal Care Home
Fisher Branch Personal Care Home
Gimli Hospital
Interlake-Eastern Health Services Building
Lac du Bonnet Primary Health Centre
Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home
Lundar Personal Care Home
Pinawa Hospital
Pinawa Mall
Selkirk Community Health Office
Selkirk Regional Health Centre
St. Laurent Community Health Centre
Rosewood Lodge Personal Care Home (Stonewall)
Stonewall SIR Library (SWDPC)
Teulon SIR Library (SWDPC)
Teulon Hospital
Goodwin Lodge (Teulon)
Whitemouth & District Health Centre

Ramsay goes on to say that during the holiday season when so much focus is on family, it can be difficult for people who are grieving to feel like celebrating.

“These are meaningful gestures which are so important around any special day when our sorrow is heightened.”

Public and facility trees are set up now, and card ornaments for all ages will be placed with each tree.

This holiday season, everyone can access online mental health support at anytime on www.ierha.ca www.ierha.ca/programs-services/mental-health/. The RHA also has a 24 hour crisis line: 1-866-427-8628.

More Surgeries at Selkirk Regional Health Centre Will Mean Lower Wait Times: Asagwara

The Manitoba government is making sure more families can get the care they need and enjoy their lives to the fullest by adding 800 hip and knee surgeries at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced today.

“We want to see more Manitobans lead active lives with their families and see less Manitobans waiting in pain,” said Asagwara. “Adding more surgeries in the Interlake means more patients and families are getting the care they need. Cutting wait times for surgeries doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t have to fly across an ocean to get good care, we just need more staff in Manitoba. That’s what this announcement is all about. More surgeons, more nurses, more surgeries, and faster care for you.”

There’s still time to get your flu and Covid shots this respiratory season. Public health respiratory virus vaccine clinics are occurring until November 30.

Seasonal influenza, pneumococcal 20 and COVID-19 vaccine are available for those eligible as per Manitoba Health guidelines. Immunization with the most updated COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended for previously vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severe disease.

Book an appointment by calling 1-844-626-8222 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday or by using the online booking system found at www.ierha.ca “Programs and Services” and “Annual Immunization Clinics”.

“Public health has immunized over 5,000 people against both COVID and flu this fall,” says Wendy Fontaine, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority manager health services, public health east. “Respiratory virus season is expected to last another three to four months, so there’s still time for people to protect themselves by getting the COVID and flu shots this fall.”

Respiratory virus shots are available for all ages with different doses administered according to age.

Parents with younger children are encouraged to check out www.ierha.ca, and click on “patient information”, “where to go” and “kid care” for tips on taking care of children experiencing respiratory illness and fever.

Immunizations are also available all season from community health offices, clinics and pharmacies.

Survey and public meeting designed to inform Interlake-Eastern RHA’s strategic planning process

Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority’s board members are updating the region’s strategic plan.

According to board chair Michele Polinuk, the voice of regional residents is a key component of effective planning .

“We want to update our strategic plan so that we’re collectively promoting health at an individual and community level. We are asking people to join us in planning a healthier future,” Polinuk said.

All residents of the region are invited to invest in completing an eight question survey designed to help understand contributions to better health. Access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FD7X765

Survey closes 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, November 12.

Compiled responses will be presented for review at Interlake-Eastern RHA’s 2025-2030 Strategic Focus meeting that will take place virtually Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. Visit https://tinyurl.com/IERHAPlanPartner for meeting details.

“We can work together to positively influence health,” Polinuk said.

Mark your calendars! It’s once again time to book flu/Covid respiratory season shots.

Public health will host more than 70 immunization clinics in 42 different communities across the region this year. This year’s seasonal influenza campaign will start on Oct. 15 and continue through to Nov. 30.

“This is a time of the year where respiratory and non-respiratory viruses start impacting our health and the health of our family. Immunizations remain the cornerstone of infectious disease control and prevention in our province,” says Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority regional medical officer of health Dr. Tim Hilderman.

Seasonal influenza, pneumococcal 20 and COVID-19 vaccine will be available for those eligible as per Manitoba Health guidelines. Immunization with the most updated COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended for previously vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severe disease.

Book an appointment by calling 1-844-626-8222 between 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday or by using the online booking system found at Immunization Clinics (ierha.ca)

Please note:

Bring your Manitoba Health Card and wear a short-sleeved shirt.
Some walk-in appointments available. Please see the online vaccine provider map on Immunization Clinics (ierha.ca) for walk-in details.
Please practice good hand-washing.
Do not come to your appointment if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Please come right at your appointment time to avoid congestion.

Immunizations are already being offered to clients and families in personal care homes across the region. Roll-out of the immunizations to home care clients and family will commence this week.

Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority’s virtual annual general meeting on Oct. 7 saw more than 110 staff and community members login virtually to hear the region’s planned activities and a summary of the past year.

Cyndi Typliski, vice chair of the board of directors, was the master of ceremonies. The meeting opened with a prayer from Ferdinand Funk, spiritual care coordinator for the region.

Board chair Michele Polinuk talked about the region’s population and demographics. She noted the cultural diversity that is historically part of the region and that continues to shape it today with the arrival of newcomers. In addition to reviewing the board’s governance structure and priorities of the board this year, she also announced the four winning staff members of the Chair’s Award for Excellence in Customer Service.

“Staff members submitted 22 outstanding nominations this year and every one of these people reflects the culture we are building in this organization,” Polinuk said.

To the winners Polinuk said, “How you choose to show up to work, what you bring to your workplace, and how you make the people around you feel good is inspiring to us all!”

She recognized the following staff members:

Jamie Brown, Selkirk Regional Health Centre’s health services manager for obstetrics, patient flow and social work. Jamie always takes the lead in complex obstetrical situations and makes sure staff feel supported and that patients receive the best care and advocacy possible.

Barb Ramsay, palliative care volunteer coordinator exemplifies the values of the health authority through her work in leading Camp Stepping Stones, the region’s grief camp for children who have experienced the death of a loved one. Her impact is evident in the standing ovation she received at the end of the weekend.

Ashley Braun, registered nurse at Selkirk Regional Health Centre was recognized for providing compassionate, competent patient care while using her critical thinking to investigate patient care plans. Her collaborative approach to work with other staff members helps move patients to discharge home.

Housekeeping aide Karen Schreyer stands out for her profound impact on both residents and peers in Fisher Personal Care Home. She consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of support services needs and addresses them with both compassion and efficiency, making her a true asset to the region’s health team.

Chief executive officer, Marion Ellis, provided a review of the region’s work and she was joined by the RHA’s executive lead, human resources Julene Sawatzky to provide an overview of the region’s successful training and recruitment initiatives.

Receiving the CEO Award for Community Leadership was Yvonne Oxer, a registered nurse who invested more than 50 years working in the health region. She suspended her retirement to help Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority open its first transitional care unit. This new unit in Selkirk prepares people for their return home or for a move to a new place of residence.

“Yvonne jumped in and really worked with the team,” Ellis said adding that the unit Oxer was instrumental in establishing is helping patients from all over the region receive appropriate care.

Other speakers included Dr. Tim Hilderman, medical officer of health for Interlake-Eastern RHA who addressed the role of vaccinations as a cornerstone of infectious disease control. Presenting the finance report were Murray Werbeniuk, chair of the finance committee of the board, and Lorianne Kowaliszyn, IERHA’s executive lead of corporate services and chief financial officer.

A recording of IERHA’s AGM and the IERHA 2023-2024 Annual Report document can be accessed at www.ierha.ca under “About us” and “Annual General Meeting”.