These organizations manage personal care homes within Interlake-Eastern RHA. Please visit their respective websites for job opportunities.
View the media release on the government website.
The Interlake-Eastern region offers opportunities for new doctors who are interested in gaining hands-on rural medicine experience.
Dr. Amanda Wong and Dr. Rita Costa have begun a two-year residency through a family medicine residency program in the region. Residency is the final training stage for doctors after they graduate from medical school.
Born and raised in Manitoba, Amanda pursued all her studies in the province. She completed her undergraduate bachelor of science degree with a major in genetics at the University of Manitoba and continued her medical studies there as well. While completing her bachelor of medicine, she focused her research on predicting injuries in high-level circus artists.
For her residency, Amanda chose to come to Interlake-Eastern for several reasons.
“Firstly, the staff in IERHA are great and create an ideal learning environment for residents, where our learning is prioritized and our experience can be tailored to our areas of interest,” said Amanda, whose family has a cabin in the Interlake and whose mom grew up in East Selkirk.
“Secondly, IERHA serves a large area of rural Manitoba and diverse populations, creating an ideal setting to become a skilled rural family physician. IERHA has been extremely welcoming.”
To start, Amanda will be primarily based out of the Selkirk Medical Centre and the Selkirk Regional Health Centre, and she’ll also spend some time in Lac du Bonnet during her second year of residency.
When she’s not busy studying and working, Amanda loves to play soccer.
“I spent five years playing for the University of Manitoba Bisons’ women’s soccer team during my undergraduate studies, during which I was team captain for several years. I am still playing soccer now and find it to be a good way to socialize with friends and stay active,” she said.
“I have also been quite involved with coaching various soccer teams, including running some soccer camps in Selkirk. Another hobby of mine is my house plants and propagating them. I am also a big sucker for bad Netflix reality shows.”
Looking ahead, Amanda hopes to practise medicine in rural Manitoba.
“I hope to give back to underserved communities and improve access to health care,” she said. “I hope to have a diverse practice and be able to care for people of all ages and backgrounds and have a wide scope of practice to offer my patients.”
Like Amanda, Rita began her studies at the University of Manitoba, where she first obtained a degree in microbiology.
“I absolutely loved learning about how our bodies fought against bacterial and viral diseases. I even completed a research project and published a paper in virology during the last year of my degree,” Rita said.
“I had always had an interest in medicine and wanting to help patients navigate the health-care system, so I applied to the Max Rady College of Medicine here in Manitoba and began my medical journey in fall 2019.”
During her fourth year in medical school, Rita spent two weeks in Selkirk, which piqued her interest in returning to the community.
“I absolutely loved this experience, and it opened my eyes to how amazing a residency program the IERHA is. I knew that I wanted a residency program that allowed me to be a learner, while also giving me graded responsibility that will allow me to develop the skills and clinical reasoning necessary for independent practice — which is exactly what the program in IERHA allowed me to do,” she said.
“I have had such amazing learning opportunities and know that this is just the beginning. Another amazing aspect of the residency program that really sold me was the people I worked with.”
Rita also currently works at the Selkirk Medical Centre and the Selkirk Regional Health Centre.
“Everyone I have come into contact with during my residency has been so kind, supportive and I find that everyone is invested in my learning and growth as a resident,” she said.
“I cannot say enough positive words about the residency program here in IERHA. I am truly very lucky to be trained here, and I believe the training I receive here will truly help me as a transition into independent practice at the end of the two years.”
When she’s not busy with her residency, Rita enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also likes to bake and go for walks in nature.
In the future, Rita hopes to continue to call the Interlake home.
“I am not originally from the Interlake region; however, that has not stopped me from exploring the region and loving every minute. I do hope to one day settle down in the Interlake region,” she said.
“I hope to have a comprehensive practice that looks after patients of all ages and different stages in life. I also hope to incorporate women’s health into my practice. My dream would be to practise family medicine in IERHA.”
While Amanda and Rita are in the early stages of their residency experience, Dr. Stewart Nadurak is currently in the second year of his residency program.
The family medicine residency in Interlake-Eastern is co-ordinated by Selkirk Medical Associates in collaboration with the department of family medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine and Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority. Dr. Ian Alexander of Selkirk Medical Associates is the lead. To date, the regional medicine residency program has trained and graduated six residents since launching in the region in 2019, and five of them have remained in the region.
Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority is now accepting nominations for the 2024 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.
“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 reading the nominations of physicians in the region who go above and beyond every day for their patients.”
Nominations should have three signatures and a paragraph about why the physician should be considered for the award.
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.)
Nominations are to be forwarded to Debbie Gregoire at [email protected] by February 9, 2024.
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.
The first baby of 2024 has arrived in Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority.
Safia Sharif and her husband Talal Tasse of East St. Paul welcomed their daughter, Reham, at 11:14 p.m. New Year’s day at Selkirk Regional Health Centre.
Weighing seven pounds and 15 ounces, she is the Tasse family’s third child. Excited to meet their baby sister were brother Zyad, 10, and sister Reem, 9.
The Tasses said their experience in the obstetric unit was unsurpassed.
“The staff were very helpful. It was quiet and this has been the most comfortable room for us,” Sharif said.
Tasse noted the attentiveness of staff.
“Whenever she was uncomfortable, there was always someone there to take care of her,” Tasse said.
Chair of the Selkirk Hospital Gift Shop volunteers, Betty Milkowski, maintained a tradition by gifting Reham’s family with a hand knit outfit and blanket, diapers, a hamper, playpen and other items to celebrate the arrival the first baby to arrive at the health centre. She said the volunteers make the New Year’s baby gift tradition possible.
“The most important thing is all the work that the volunteers do to help us. They make it possible for us to donate and help. This has been going on since the first hospital was built in Selkirk and the original ladies auxiliary was founded. We extend our best wishes to the family,” Milkowski said.
Dr. Jennifer Preun attended the delivery. In 2023, 444 babies were born at Selkirk Regional Health Centre. That’s an increase over the 397 babies born in 2022. Anyone interested in delivering with Selkirk’s obstetrics unit is invited to call 204.482.5800 for more information and to arrange a tour of the facility.
All clinics and labs are closed on Dec. 25 Christmas Day, Dec. 26 Boxing Day and Jan. 1 New Year’s Day with the exception of the QuickCare Clinic which is only closed on Dec. 25.
The RAAM Clinic is closed on Dec. 26 Boxing Day and will reopen the following week on Jan. 2.
As Manitoba sees increasing respiratory virus cases in health-care facilities, Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, and Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara are asking people to get their flu and COVID-19 shots. Watch the media conference
The Horizon Health Network (HHN), Maritime SPOR Support Unit (MSSU), and University of New Brunswick – Centre for Research and Integrated Care (CRIC) is looking for participants for the Compensation-Related Barriers and Facilitators to Patient Engagement in Canadian Academic Health Research Study. It is an opportunity to share their experiences with what works and what does not work for compensating patient partners, and how this affects inclusion. It is very important that to from a wide range of individuals in the following fields:
Individuals who fit the criteria above may complete a pre-screening survey to determine their eligibility to participate in the virtual focus group or interview for the study.
Contact Sam to participate: [email protected] or (506) 566-2728
Please let us know if you require any accommodations to participate.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Samantha.Fowler@HorizonNB.ca or (506) 566-2728. If this email is better suited to someone else in your community, or if you would like to share this with another organization, please feel free to forward this along or let me know and I will reach out to them.
This study has been reviewed by the research ethics boards at the University of New Brunswick (File# 2023-037) and Horizon Health Network (File# 2023-3217)
Please see public notice updated here.
The Prawda Outreach Primary Care Clinic is temporarily closed due to the sale of the building. We are working with community to find a new location to hold the clinic. In the meantime, please make an appointment at Whitemouth Clinic by calling: 204-348-2291
Please be advised that tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 7 there is an all-day power outage scheduled for the Lundar PCH and clinic/community health office. This means that there will not be phone and internet services. The PCH will continue to have limited power to keep residents and staff comfortable. The clinic and community health office will be closed. Phones and emails will not be answered. Please call back on Wed., Nov. 8.
This power outage is necessary for updating the generator onsite.
Selkirk QuickCare Clinic is closed Sunday, November 5th. We apologize for the inconvenience and will reopen on Monday, November 6. Click for clinic details.
Interlake-Eastern RHA’s virtual Annual General Meeting on October 10, 2023 saw just over 130 staff and community members login virtually for a review of activities and upcoming priorities.
Vice chair of the board of directors, Cyndi Typliski, was the master of ceremonies. The meeting opened with a prayer from Gwen Traverse, director of health, Pinaymootang First Nation and welcome from Robert Maytwayashing, Indigenous human resources development officer.
Board chair Michele Polinuk talked about adapting after the pandemic and she outlined the board’s governance structure and the progress towards achieving the goals of the RHA’s 2021-2028 strategic plan. She also announced the four winners of the Chair’s Award for Excellence in Customer Service.
“Staff members submitted 21 outstanding nominations this year and every one of these people reflects the culture we’d like to build 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:
Clinical team manager Clayton Fisher at Lac du Bonnet’s personal care home is supportive and caring towards residents and staff, as well as being professional and knowledgeable.
Val Kozyra, administrative assistant at Rosewood Lodge personal care home in Stonewall, embodies the region’s mission and values in her interactions with the public and colleagues. Her calm, positive and helpful demeanor is appreciated.
Licensed practical nurse Allison Maki works at Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home. A proponent of learning what is important to residents and engaging them through their interests, Allison started out as a health-care aide and enrolled in the licensed practical nursing program to come back to work as a nurse.
Glenn Shymko, regional manager of facilities management and capital planning, goes out of his way to make things happen, even with short notice. He is reliable and capable in his behind-the-scenes work.
Chief executive officer, Marion Ellis, was joined by the RHA’s senior leadership team that included Paul Barnard, Tanya Cheetham, Kate Hodgson, Dr. Charles Penner, Katherine Podaima and Julene Sawatzky, to give an overview of the region’s activities this past year and touch on the upcoming priorities.
Other speakers included Dr. Tim Hilderman, medical officer of health for Interlake-Eastern RHA. Presenting the finance report were Murray Werbeniuk, chair of the finance committee of the board, and Lorianne Kowaliszyn, IERHA’s regional lead of corporate services and chief financial officer.
Receiving the CEO Award for Community Leadership was Suzanne Nicolas, dean of the school of nursing at Assiniboine Community College. The award recognized Nicolas’ commitment to providing locally accessible education opportunities within the region.
A recording of IERHA’s AGM and the IERHA 2022-2023 Annual Report can be accessed at www.ierha.ca under “About us” and “Annual General Meeting”.
Photo Cutline: Interlake-Eastern RHA’s board of directors hosted the 2023 Annual General Meeting on October 10,2023.
