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PAGE 2l o c a ll e a d e r sDR. kevin worry shelly puschNorth Zone executive leadership teamwe’re sharingpassion for healthEvery day in our facilities across theprovince our staff, physicians andvolunteers make a difference in the livesof residents.Alberta Health Services (AHS) has launcheda new initiative called Passion for Health toshare these stories and learn how we cancontinue to improve the care we provideAlbertans.Passion for Health is where we can cometogether to tell our health stories, whetherit’s the experiences of a patient in one of ourhealth facilities, or how they have taken controlof their own health and wellness.It’s also a place where we can show howour health care professionals care for patientsevery day. They are passionate about the carethey provide and we want to celebrate thework they do.This summer, Passion for Health eventswere held across the province including in theNorth Zone. AHS was at the Grande PrairieInternational Street Performer’s Festival talkingto families about what health means to them.That was just a start. We want to continuethat conversation. We want to hear fromresidents in all our communities, share healthinformation, news about our progress andtell the stories of the great work our staff,physicians and volunteers do every day forresidents.If you have an idea of an event we couldparticipate in, contact us at NorthZone.Communications@albertahealthservices.ca.A new online home for Passion forHealth, www.albertahealthservices.ca/passionforhealth, has been launched andshows many projects now underway acrossthe province and in communities near you.Through the Your Voice section, you canshare your health care experiences, your ideason how to build a better health care system,or even say thanks to someone in AHS whomade a difference in your life.If you have a story to share, visit our Passionfor Health web page. We’d love to hear fromyou. •Dr. Brianne Hudson, a northern Alberta locum physician, stands in front of her Cessna 182.Doc recruitment takes offStory by Lisa Peters | Photo courtesy Dr. Brianne HudsonPhysician recruitment is really taking off inNorth Zone as communities offer warmwelcomes to docs landing in their areas.Just ask Dr. Brianne Hudson, a generalphysician with her pilot’s license who providedlocum coverage at the High Prairie HealthComplex.“I came to Grande Prairie to train, notexpecting to stay in the area,” says Hudson.“The reason I’m still here is because of thepeople I’ve met.”Hudson adds that working at smaller sitesis a great opportunity to develop relationshipswith colleagues.“I feel comfortable asking questions to ourlocal specialists; they are so good and veryhelpful,” Hudson says. “It’s not always like thatin bigger centres, but here, I know most of thepeople that I need to interact with to furtherpatient care.”It was the need for help with patient care inHigh Prairie that pushed Susan Smith, NorthZone Physician Resource Planner with AlbertaHealth Services (AHS), to call Hudson.“Locum physicians are very important to ruralcare, as they provide coverage to a communitywhile their permanent physician is not working– perhaps taking time off, or away on vacation,”says Smith. “In this particular situation, wecalled Dr. Hudson and asked her if she wasavailable to provide care in High Prairie.”Smith says she remembers Hudsonmentioning that she would fly herself to HighPrairie in her own plane – a Cessna 182.Having never been to High Prairie before,Smith arranged for a local to meet Hudson.That person was Ken Matthews, Reeve forthe Municipal District of Big Lakes and whoalso serves as the Chair of Alberta HealthServices’ Health Advisory Council for LesserSlave Lake.He greeted Hudson at the airport. Matthews’son Craig is also a pilot, and just happened tobe at the airport when Hudson arrived.“The two pilots had a lot to talk about,” saysMatthews. “And Craig offered to take her fora tour of the area in his plane and land at myfarm, on a grass landing strip there.”That friendliness had a big impact on Hudson.“I think what impressed me was Ken’sopenness,” says Hudson. “We had never metbefore, and he was really willing to go out of hisway to accommodate me.”But Matthews says that’s just the way it is innorthern Alberta.“If you go into the rural areas, things likethis happen a lot,” says Matthews. “We havedifficulty getting physicians to rural Alberta, soI would certainly do anything I could to helpmake this a better place for them to work.”That attitude is key to physician recruitment,says Smith.“It’s because of relationships like these thatmake northern Alberta a unique place to liveand work,” says Smith.“Physician recruitment is not a one-personjob and community partnerships play animportant role in the process. They areinvaluable and sometimes – no pun intended –really take off.”For details on physician recruitment, visitwww.albertahealthservices.ca/hac.asp. •AHS Virtual High School Career EventNovember 19, 2014Invitation for all high school students to joinus on the AHS Careers Facebook page to:• Connect with AHS recruiters online• Ask questions about healthcare careers• Learn more about student opportunitieswww.facebook.com/AHSCareerswww.albertahealthservices.caThere are plenty of health care options available. Learn yours by visiting the AHS website.

i n y o u r z o n e PAGE 3outstanding outreach expandsThe challenges are often greater for older students who want to finish high school. Family and workmake finding time for classes demanding – let alone trying to fit in space for health issues. That’swhere Public Health nurse Erin Kryschuk makes a difference. Once a month, she visits the Peace RiverOutreach School to connect the students to key health care services in the communityStory by Mark Evans | Photo courtesy Erin KryschukAlexis Koning, four, loves Tinkerbellso when Alberta Health ServicesPeace River Public Health nurse ErinKryschuk stopped by the Outreach School tocomplete Alexis’ preschool immunizations, sheremembered to bring Tinkerbell stickers.When Alexis’ mom Ashley Grimes hadconcerns about her three-year-old son Kaden’sspeech, Kryschuk got her a referral to a speechlanguage pathologist who reassured Grimesthat his speech was developing normally andprovided activities to ensure that progresscontinues.“It’s nice to know my children have theirimmunizations and I have someone I can talk toabout any issues with my children,” says Grimes,a 31-year-old Outreach School student.For the last year Kryschuk, 24, has visited theschool at least once a month to help connectstudents at the alternative high school to healthcare services in the community. She has becomea familiar face to the students by being availablewhen needed. She even showed up at thehospital to support a young mom in labour.“I try to identify a need and then either fill theneed or find someone who can fill the need,”says Kryschuk.The Outreach School has about 120 students.It caters to 15- to 20-year-olds, as well as olderadult students who want to finish high schoolbut need the flexibility to work at their own pace,access more one-on-one help, or just be ableto continue their education while working tosupport their families, says Lorena Coombes, acounsellor at the school.“We assist students with anything thatwould get in the way of their education,”says Coombes.That means along with on-siteservices such as daycare, breakfastsand weekly lunches, the school alsohelps with everything from financesto housing to transportationto health care by connectingwith resources in thecommunity to meetstudents’ needs.“Our studentsare the ones whowouldn’t normallyreach outto thesesupports.Theywouldn’t goout and know toask for help,” saysCoombes.During the past 10years, Public Health hasbeen in the school providingservices such as immunizations.Kryschuk has expanded this rolewith plans to do even more in the“it’s nice to knowmy children havetheir immunizationsand I have someonei can talk to aboutany issues with mychildren– Outreach student Ashley Grimes, 31,on the help nurse Erin Kryschuk providesat the Peace River schoolcoming year.Last year, the daycare’s 12children had all theirimmunizations upto date. Kryschukoffered prenatalclasses andthe BuildingBetter Babiesprogramto supportexpectingand newmoms.She taughtlife skillssessions covering topics such as birth control,sexually transmitted infection and has plans forsessions on men’s health next year.“I really streamline the process for them andincrease their access to health care,” she says.“If we miss them here, we might not get thechance.”Since the school doesn’t have an attendancepolicy and students work at their own paceKryschuk is available to visit to the school whenneeded to meet the students’ health needs.“I adapt to their needs rather than having themfit into our schedule,” she says.For example, like many Outreach Schoolstudents, transportation is a big issue forGrimes, whose husband Brian works 12-hourshifts doing construction and uses their onlyvehicle. If she were to make an appointment atPublic Health, she’d have to make the five-kmwalk with Alexis, Kaden, and her two-yearolddaughter Chloe across the busy bridgethat connects the west and east side of thecommunity or pay for a cab. For that reason, it’skey to access health services at the school.“It’s essential we bring health careprofessionals here and we get them to breakdown these barriers,” says Coombes. “They getto know the students not as a one-time concernbut as a person, so students aren’t afraid to gethelp for problems.”Removing those barriers is somethingKryschuk has excelled at, resulting inPublic Health receiving the PublicEducation Partner of the Year awardfrom the school. It’s work Kryschukplans to continue.“She engages with the students andshows that she cares,” says Coombes.“She has a genuine interest in themas people.” •“i reallystreamlinethe processfor them andincrease theiraccess tohealth care.if we missthem here, wemight not getthe chance– Public Health nurseErin Kryschuk, left, on herwork with students at theOutreach SchoolA career in health care can be extremely rewarding. Visit the AHS website for career details.www.albertahealthservices.ca

h e a l t h c a r e h e r o e s PAGE 5Visit Us OnlineEmergency PreparednessEmergencies strike quickly and oftenwithout warning. It may be a naturalemergency, such as a tornado, a flood, ahurricane, or a pandemic. Or it may be aservice disruption, such as a power failure, oran environmentaldisaster, such asa chemical spill. Inextreme situations,emergency servicesmay be unable toreach you for upto 72 hours. If youare prepared, the impact on your health,family and home can be minimized. Yourbest protection in any emergency is havinga plan and knowing what to do. AlbertaHealth Services has developed a guide tohelp you plan and prepare for emergencies.Review it at www.albertahealthservices.ca/HealthWellness/hi-hw-disasterpreparedness-guide.pdf.Harry Janvier, foreground, drums for his fellow Northern Lights Regional Health Centre long-termcare residents, from left: Margaret MacDonald, Norm Cree, George Powder, and Joe Cree.residents’ day tripdrums up enthusiasMStory by Kirsten Goruk | Photo courtesy Northern Lights Regional Health CentreIt’s quite common for most of us to take naturefor granted, but for residents living in long-termcare facilities, a field trip out to the lake is arare treat.This summer, nine long-term care residentsfrom Northern Lights Regional Health Centrewent on an adventure toGregoire Lake.“A lot of our residentsare Aboriginal and grewup around the waterand lakes and it’s soimportant to them,” saysDenise Wilkinson, anAlberta Health Services(AHS) Seniors HealthManager.“To be out there beside a lake was reallyspecial.“It was such a wonderful day.”The idea for the trip came during a residentcouncil meeting and, following that, staffcollaborated to make it a reality.Trips such as this promote alternative modelsof care and provide residents with out-of-theordinaryactivities which help break up theboredom of facility living.“I believe everyone needs things to lookforward to in life. This trip created great feelingsthe trip created greatfeelings of excitementin the days leading upto it “– AHS recreation therapist Natalie Foy,of a day trip for long-term care residentsof excitement in the days leading up to it,” saysNatalie Foy, an AHS recreation therapist whoworks with the long-term care patients.“It’s a lot of work to organize, but staff, friends,and family had an opportunity to enjoy oneanother’s company and that makes it worthevery effort.”The group roastedhotdogs andhomemade bannockover a fire and gatheredtogether to sing anddrum.“We do have regulardrumming circles, butit was great to do it outnear the lake becauseit’s so nice to be out in the fresh air,” Wilkinsonsays.Given the success and appreciation for thelake trip, staff planned a second fishing excursionin the fall. Wilkinson says the benefits these tripsprovide make them worth the effort.“These trips affect residents’ wellness andpromote social interaction,” she says.“They talked about it so much the next day andthey bring it up all the time. They have some newmemories but it also brings up old memories andstimulates them.” •Download the AHS mobile app foriPhone or Android• Emergency department wait times• Health care locator• More…www.albertahealthservices.ca/mobile.aspFor the latest health news updates in your zone, visit the AHS website.In Your ZoneAHS is organized into five geographiczones so that communities are more directlyconnected to their local health systems anddecisions can be made closer to where careis provided. Visit your zone online to getnews, maps and find out how to connectwith AHS in your community. Go to www.albertahealthservices.ca/zones.asp.Use Facebook to connect with manydifferent areas of Alberta Health Services. Visitour pages, ‘like’ us or send us a note.• Alberta Health Services: Main AHS page.• Alberta Health Services Volunteers: checkout our many volunteering opportunities.• Apple Magazine on Facebook: ourflagship print magazine is online.• AHS Careers: find career information andjob opportunities with AHS..FACEBOOKTWITTERFollow your zone at AHS_NorthZone:• AHS’ Community Spotlight focuses on#GrandeCache. For more information, go tohttp://bit.ly/1tl6tEN.• Do you know how many servings of fruitand vegetables you need in a day? Canada’sFood Guide helps identify what you needto eat to stay healthy. Please visit http://bit.ly/19pOrdj.• For active #HealthAdvisories in theNorth Zone, check out this webpage: www.albertahealthservices.ca/1926.asp.Hwww.albertahealthservices.ca

PAGE 6l i v i n gw e l ltake a hike!Better health is just a few steps awayStory by Anne Georg | Photo by Ewan Nicholsonaking a walk is the cheapest and easiest way toreap the lifelong benefits of good physical andmental health.“Walking throughout your life helps you maintainquality of life and prevent chronic disease,” says GrahamMatsalla, Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta HealthServices. “Also, when we walk we tend to visit withothers, have positive interactions and an increased senseof community.”Here are 10 reasons to walk year-round. Happy trails!1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.Walking is easier on your body than many otherphysical activities, so you can do it throughout yourlife for better health, quality of life and independence.Reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes bydecreasing sugar levels and increasing insulin in yoursystem.Walking briskly 150 minutes a week (five times a weekfor 30 minutes) can help reduce the risk of beingoverweight or obese.Helps keep your bones strong and ward offosteoporosis.Reduces the risk of chronic disease by breathing freshair, soaking up sunlight (and Vitamin D) and easingstress.Is something you can do anywhere, for free. A sturdypair of walking shoes is all you need to keep active.Improves balance, co-ordination and your ability to beactive as you age.Has immediate benefits. Right away you’ll noticeimproved mood and self-esteem, increased energyand concentration and better sleep.Helps prevent and manage heart disease, high bloodpressure, and some cancers.Increases blood flow to the brain and keeps yourbrain active. Our minds are stimulated by physicalactivity and social engagement with family andcommunity.10.walking tallt tStand with a straight back. Lift your chest slightly.Bend your arms 90 degrees. Swing them opposite toyour legs to balance your body.Hold your head straight. Place your neck in a neutralposition by pulling your chin down and in slightly. Thissupports the head and prevents neck pain.tt t t tLevel your hips and point your knees forward.Tuck your pelvis under your torso.Take steps of equal length.Strike the ground with your heel first. Roll toward theballs of your feet. Then push off your toes.When carrying a backpack, distribute its weight equallyacross your shoulders.tJennifer and TristanNorman and their dogsMason, left, and Candytake a walk in Calgary’sBowmont Park.www.albertahealthservices.caLooking for a physician in your area? Visit the Alberta Health Services website for information.

PAGE 8NORTHzonei nb r i e fGet going with a good beginningStory by Kirsten Goruk |The first few years in any child’s life are atime of change, growth and learning forboth parents and babies.In an effort to help parents in Anzac make thebest choices possible and feel prepared, AlbertaHealth Services (AHS) is extending the GoodBeginnings program.“We had really good attendance for the spring,although it did slow down a bit during thesummer months,” says Sasha Gale, the GoodBeginnings co-ordinator for Anzac.localleadershipAHS embraces local leadership and zone-based decision-making. Right here in northern Alberta, front-linephysicians and other clinical leaders at every level of the organization have joint planning and decision-makingauthority with operational leaders, meaning faster decision-making closer to where care is provided.alberta: zone by zonenorth zonePopulation: 447,740 • Life expectancy: 79.8 years • Hospitals: 34Communities:• Athabasca• Barrhead• Beaverlodge• Berwyn• Bonnyville• Boyle• Cold Lake• Conklin• Edson• Elk Point• Fairview• Falher• Fort Chipewyancentral zoneCommunities:• Bashaw• Bentley• Breton• Camrose• Castor• Consort• Coronation• Daysland• Drayton Valley• Drumheller• Eckville• Elnora• Fort MacKay• Fort McMurray• Fort Vermilion• Fox Creek• Glendon• Grande Cache• Grande Prairie• Grimshaw• High Level• High Prairie• Hinton• Hythe• Janvier• Jasper• Galahad• Hanna• Hardisty• Hughenden• Innisfail• Islay• Killam• Kitscoty• Lacombe• Lamont• Linden• Lloydminster• Mannville• Kinuso• Lac la Biche• La Crete• Manning• Mayerthorpe• McLennan• Medley• Onoway• Peace River• Peerless Lake• Radway• Rainbow Lake• Redwater• St. PaulPopulation: 453,469 • Life expectancy: 80.7 years • Hospitals: 30• Mundare• Myrnam• Olds• Ponoka• Provost• Red Deer• Rimbey• RockyMountainHouse• Sedgewick• Stettler• Sundre“We’re looking forward to continuing to offerit and we think that there’s a lot of potential inAnzac to grow this program.”Held in partnership with the RegionalRecreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo, theAHS program covers a number of topics,including healthy family relationships, dentalhealth, developmental milestones, babymovement, speech, and first aid basics.The drop-in sessions are free of chargeand geared toward supporting parents andcaregivers with babies up to two years old.• Slave Lake• Smoky Lake• Spirit River• Swan Hills• Thorhild• Trout Lake• Valleyview• Vilna• Wabasca/Desmarais• Westlock• Whitecourt• Worsley• Zama City• Sylvan Lake• Three Hills• Tofield• Trochu• Two Hills• Vegreville• Vermilion• Viking• Wainwright• Wetaskiwin• Willingdon• WinfieldNorth Zone executive leadership team:Dr. Kevin WorryShelly PuschParents and caregivers areencouraged to bring their babieswith them.GALE“It’s really good for socializingand networking with parents. It connects them toall of the different resources in the community,”Gale says. “We want to keep it going and, if itcontinues to grow, we’re hoping to offer it afterChristmas on a weekly basis.”For more information on session dates andlocation, contact the Healthy Families Program at780.714.5616. •edmonton zonePopulation: 1,186,121• Life expectancy: 81.8 years • Hospitals: 13Communities:• Beaumont• Devon• Edmonton• Evansburg• FortSaskatchewancalgary zonePopulation: 1,408,606• Life expectancy: 82.9 years • Hospitals: 14Communities:• Airdrie• Banff• BlackDiamond• Calgary• Canmore• Chestermere• Claresholm• Cochrane• Cremona• Didsbury• Gleichen• High River• Nanton• Okotoks• Stavely• Strathmore• Turner Valley• VulcanSOUTH zonePopulation: 289,661• Life expectancy: 80.3 years • Hospitals: 14Communities:• Bassano• Blairmore• Bow Island• Brooks• Cardston• Coaldale• CrowsnestDR. KEVINWORRY• Gibbons• Leduc• Morinville• St. Albert• SherwoodPark• Spruce GrovePass• Foremost• Fort Macleod• Granum• Irvine• Lethbridge• Magrath• Medicine HatSHELLYPUSCH• Stony Plain• Thorsby• Milk River• Oyen• Picture Butte• Pincher Creek• Raymond• Redcliff• Taber• Vauxhallhere’show toreach usZone News Editor,north Zone: Sara WarrPhone: 780.830.3523Email: sara.warr@albertahealthservices.caMail: 2101 Provincial Building, 10320 99 St.,Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8V 6J4To see North Zone News online, please visitwww.albertahealthservices.ca/5824.aspLayout and design: Kit PooleIMAGING: Michael BrownZone News – North Zone is publishedmonthly by Alberta Health Services toinform Albertans of the programs andservices available to them, and of the workbeing done to improve the health caresystem in their communities.FSC LOGO(printer places on)This paper has been certified to meetthe environmental and social standardsof the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)and comes from well-managed forestsand other responsible sources.Foundations &Health TrustsYour Foundation | Your Community | Your HealthFoundations & Health Trusts supporthealth care in your community.Giving is HealthyFind your local foundation today.www.albertahealthservices.ca/givefoundationrelations@albertahealthservices.cawww.albertahealthservices.caBe sure to visit our website for health advisories around the province.