Along the Coast to Labrador - Labrador

Transcription

August - October, 2009
Along the Coast
to Labrador
Corporate Headquarters: Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada A0P 1C0
End of an Era - Turbo-Commander CF-GWT
On October 22, 2009
the Turbo-Commander CFGWT made its final flight
under the ownership of
Labrador-Grenfell Health.
The air ambulance, known
throughout the province
as GWT, retired after
nearly twenty-four years of
service.
Ironically, GWT came
to St. Anthony in the fall of
1985 from Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma, where it was
built by Gulfstream Aircraft
Inc. It has now been sold
to Legacy Aviation of
Yukon, Oklahoma, just 15
miles away from where
Posing with the aircraft in Oklahoma are (l-r): Ben Farrell, Air Operations Manager/Chief Pilot; Dennis Snow, Parts Manager/
the aircraft was originally
Sales with Legacy Aviation; RJ Gomez, President/General Manager with Legacy Aviation and Perry Bennett, Pilot.
built. Legacy Aviation has
purchased the plane to be
used as their company aircraft. They are an authorized Commander Service Center and have plans to fully restore the aircraft.
While under the operation of Grenfell Regional Health Services and Labrador-Grenfell Health, this aircraft provided invaluable service to both the region and the province. Bearing aircraft serial number
15042, GWT was the last Commander ever built and today, it is the Commander with
the highest flight time in the world. It logged 18,209.9 hours and at 24 hours a day,
What’s Inside?
it would have flown the equivalent of 759 days or 25 months straight. At an average
Foundation Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
speed of 275 mph, it would have flown 5,007,722 miles – considering that the earth
Around the Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
is 25,000 miles in circumference at the equator, that represents 200 trips around the
Infection Control Week. . . . . . . . . . . 4
earth! On average, the plane moved 1,235 persons per year or some 29,659 persons
Health Promotion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
in all. Finally, GWT averaged 400 medevac flights per year or 9,600 flights during the
Cervical Screening Initiatives. . . . . 6
time it operated here in St. Anthony, NL.
Halloween. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Over the years, many people had the pleasure of working with the Air Operations
Professional Development . . . . . . . 8
Department. They included:
Scholarships Awarded . . . . . . . . . . . 10 •
•
Pilots: Deb-E McGrath, Bill Anstey, George Furey, Dave Beaudrey, Todd Howell,
Good Luck and Best Wishes . . . . . . 11
Eugene Coles, Ben Farrell, Brent Acreman, Nelson Pilgrim, Dave Power, Perry BenFrom the Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
nett, Ian Gould, Darryl Reardon and Anthony Davis.
Focus on Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
•
Engineers: Kevin White, Michael Deraps, Horace Abbott, Gerry Couilard, Durwin
Friends of Along the Coast. . . . . . . 16
Jacque, Barry Heath, Paul Sharpe, Jerry Darling and Max Chapman.
Retirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
•
Aircraft Maintenance Trades Helper: Alwyn Nicholas.
Obituaries / Photo Trivia. . . . . . . . . .18
•
Dispatchers: Wilbourne Fillier, Tom Simms, Gary Janes, Beattie Simms, Felix SimComings and Goings. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
monds, Maurice Heath, Winnie Budgell, Una Davis and Barry Pynn.
From the Past . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
(Continued on Page 2)
PAGE , ALONG THE COAST TO LABRADOR - AUGUST - OCTOBER, 2009
END OF AN ERA (Cont’d)
For many years, the plane operated under the guidance of Operations Manager Tom Green, with clerical support for the department provided by Debbie Squires and Donna Parsons. This list certainly does not include the many medical escorts, including doctors, nurses, paramedics and midwives as well as others who flew on the plane for each medevac flight.
I feel it is safe to say that GWT has a great legacy in this province with the countless number of patients who were helped.
The plane was always a handful to operate and just as exciting to fly on the last day as it was on the first. It goes without saying that for Captain Perry Bennett and myself, it was a very touching and somber feeling to roll to a stop for the very last time in
Yukon, Oklahoma.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who played a role in the operation of this aircraft over the years.
When it comes to dedication and professionalism, you could have not found a better group and it truly was a great honour to
have been a part of it all.
Ben Farrell, Air Operations Manager/Chief Pilot
The GWT registration
symbols are removed
in Legacy’s hangar in
Yukon, Oklahoma.
GWT makes its final flight over the Grenfell Properties in St. Anthony.
FOUNDATION UPDATE
Labrador East Chapter: Vickers’ Family Donates $10,000
A $10,000 donation was presented to the Labrador East Chapter of the Grenfell Foundation by Ms. Regina Vickers and Mrs.
Florence Vickers, at the Foundation Gala Dinner held on Saturday, October 3, 2009. The Vickers’ families dedicated their contribution on behalf of their parents, the late Pat Vickers, a prominent businessperson in the community, and their mother, Mrs.
Florence Vickers.
“This October marks 51 years since the Vickers family moved to
Happy Valley-Goose Bay and as a family, we wanted to do something to
give back to a community that has been so good to us,“ said Regina Vickers. “We are pleased that our contribution will be used to assist with the
cost of a new CT scanner for the Labrador Health Centre.”
“We are very grateful to the Vickers’ for their contribution as it will
certainly help us meet our commitment of raising $150,000 to assist with
the cost of the new CT scanner,” said Rex Goudie, Chair of the Labrador
East Chapter. “As a foundation, we enjoy incredible support from the
community for all of our fundraising efforts and certainly appreciate
that the Vickers’ families value the work that we are doing, as is evident
through their kind contribution.”
The Grenfell Foundation is a registered charitable organization and is
the main fundraising body of Labrador-Grenfell Health. All funds raised
through the Labrador East Chapter are used locally to assist with the cost
of priority medical equipment.
“The Gala Dinner is one of the main fundraising events and the
L-R: Boyd Rowe, CEO, Labrador-Grenfell Health; Mary Snelgrove,
Foundation Coordinator (Labrador East Chapter); Florence Vickers; response has been incredible,” said organizer Mary Snelgrove. “We certainly want to thank the participants and volunteers who made the event
Regina Vickers; and Rex Goudie, Chair (Labrador East Chapter).
such a wonderful success”.
The 3rd Annual Gala Dinner is being planned for Saturday, October
2, 2010.
ALONG THE COAST TO LABRADOR - AUGUST - OCTOBER, 2009, PAGE AROUND THE REGION
Canadian Pediatric Society Visits Nain
On October 1-4, 2009, the First Nations, Inuit and
Métis Health Committee of the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) visited Nain. Gail Turner, Director of Health
Services with the Nunatsiavut Government, was the
liaison and helped coordinate the logistics of the trip.
She traveled with the committee and served as their
tour guide, a role she thoroughly enjoyed.
The morning of October 2 was spent visiting the
many service areas in Nain that focus on children and
families – the school, daycare, Nunatsiavut Department of Health and Social Development, the Nain
Community Clinic, Public Health, Dental Clinic, Family
Resource Centre and Child, Youth and Family Services
(CYFS). The staff of CFYS provided a very comprehensive overview of the issues facing families and some
Front row: Dr. Bill Abelson (University of Northern British Columbia); Anna Claire Ryan (Inuit
Tapiriit Kanatami); Carolyn Harrison (Health Canada); Debbie Dedam-Montour (National Indian of the programs offered. The clinic tour impressed
& Inuit Community Health Representatives Organization); Dr. Kelly Moore (American Academy the group, both with what is available, the calibre
of Pediatrics); and Dr. Anna Banerji (University of Toronto). Back row: Dr. Sam Wong (Chair of
of staff and the use of technology to improve client
the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health Committee of the Canadian Pediatric Society); Dr. Kent
access to specialists.
Saylor (McGill University); Heather McCormack (First Nations and Inuit Health Branch); Gail
On the afternoon of October 2, clinical teachTurner (Nunatsiavut Government); Cheryl Young (Aboriginal Nurses Association); and Dr. Heidi
ing was offered to the community clinic and public
Schroter (University of Calgary).
health nursing staff on a variety of topics they had
pre-submitted to the visiting pediatricians. Participants were very pleased with the sessions, both in terms of the content provided and the rare opportunity to interact with such knowledgeable professionals. The topic areas covered included: Asthma;
Reactive Airways Disease in Children and Ear Infections. As a bonus, Dr. Anna Banerji presented her research on respiratory
infections and RSV in the North. The CPS presented the Nain Clinic with some new resources on pediatrics and has a Red Book on
Infectious Disease for them en route.
On the evening of October 2, a small reception was held with invited guests from the community. The CPS was treated to
a performance by the Little Drummers, a young drumming group, and fabulous country food consisting of caribou cakes, crab
cakes, redberry tea, pitsik (dried fish) and redberry jam.
On October 3, the CPS held its annual general meeting, including a discussion of CPS statements that are under review and/
or development. That evening, members enjoyed an arctic char dinner at the Atsanik Hotel. As well, the local craft shop opened
especially for the group. They were very impressed with the quality of the work displayed and even more thrilled to have an opportunity to meet and watch some of the carvers at work.
The weather was lovely and there were lots of hiking trips in the early morning and late afternoon. By all accounts, everyone
loved the people and beauty of Nain and hated to leave. Prior to leaving on Sunday morning, the trip concluded with a tour of
the Labrador Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay before boarding Air Canada for their return trip home.
Gail Turner, Director of Health Services, Nunatsiavut Government
Go Blue Day, St. Anthony
On September 10, 2009, the Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Departments
at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital celebrated Go Blue Day. Go Blue Day is an
Arthritis Society event which takes place in September (Arthritis Awareness Month) to
help increase awareness and raise funds for arthritis research. This year, staff members
showed their support by wearing blue and dropping by the display area outside the
cafeteria, where refreshments were provided for all who participated. A 50/50 draw was
also held, which raised $120 for the Arthritis Society. The Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Departments would like to thank all those who took part in this year’s
event.
L-R: Andrew Hussey (Materials Management)
visits the Go Blue Day display, facilitated by Teena
Patey (Rehab Assistant) and Charlene Kinsella
(Student).
INFECTION CONTROL WEEK - OCTOBER 19 - 23, 2009
The Power of One – Your Role in Infection Control was the theme of
this year’s National Infection Control Week, held from October 19-23,
2009. Labrador-Grenfell Health Infection Prevention and Control professionals continue to promote education and collaborate with other
health care providers to deliver the message that each and every
person has the power to reduce infection transmission.
The most effective way to prevent the transmission of infection is
through hand hygiene. Each person must take individual responsibility for performing hand hygiene, which is why The Power of One was
chosen as this year’s theme. Labrador-Grenfell Health continues to
promote hand hygiene throughout the organization. Thank you for
doing your part and for being part of our team. Now that is POWER!
Paula March, Regional Infection Control Coordinator
One life can make the difference,
One touch can show you care,
One action can spark a change,
You see, it’s in your hands.
- Author Unknown
Jan Dearing, Risk Management/Infection Control Coordinator (left) presents Neil Williams, OR Nurse, with a prize from Hand Hygiene presentations held at the Labrador Health Centre.
Lisa Blackmore, Regional Family Resource Centre and Community
Agency Coordinator (left) receives a demonstration in proper handwashing techniques from Michelle Simon, Risk Management and
Infection Control Coordinator. Lisa is shown using the GlitterBug, a
product that makes hand hygiene education interesting and fun.
Stop Wash Your Hands! was the main theme of the Infection Control Week
events in St. Anthony. Employees dropping by for cake and tea were encouraged to sanitize their hands first. Shown here are: (l-r) Deana Diamond
(Laboratory Technologist), Nina Patey (Aramark) and Effie Genge (Laboratory
Technologist).
ALONG THE COAST TO LABRADOR - AUGUST - OCTOBER, 2009, PAGE HEALTH PROMOTION
Province-Wide Breastfeeding Campaign Launched in Labrador City
Labrador-Grenfell Health hosted the launch of a new province-wide breastfeeding promotional campaign on October 1,
2009. Janet Murphy Goodridge, Provincial Breastfeeding Consultant and Chair of the Breastfeeding Coalition of NL, officially
launched the new campaign at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital in Labrador City.
“We are launching this campaign in Labrador-City/Wabush to highlight the success this region has had in promoting breastfeeding,” said Ms. Murphy Goodridge. “Labrador-Grenfell Health is the first regional health authority in the province to implement
a comprehensive regional breastfeeding policy based on international standards. In addition, the coalition congratulates this
site for having the highest initiation rate in the province. Breastfeeding rates throughout Labrador have always been higher than
the rest of the province so I am here to recognize Labrador-Grenfell Health employees and their community partners on their
tremendous success and to encourage them to continue to strive to improve breastfeeding rates. Other areas of the province are
looking to replicate your success,” said Ms. Murphy Goodridge.
The campaign is part of the Breastfeeding Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador’s ongoing efforts to increase provincial
breastfeeding initiation and duration rates. Breastfeeding rates vary widely throughout the province from 48% to 75%. The new
campaign is aimed at making breastfeeding ‘the norm’ for infant feeding in the province. The fun and humorous campaign, entitled, You’ll see plenty of strange things…Breastfeeding isn’t one of them, consists of posters, postcard inserts and a website (www.
babyfriendlynl.ca).
The campaign’s message is engaging not only to breastfeeding mothers, but also to the general public. The print materials were developed to promote public acceptance of breastfeeding and to encourage people to think about their attitudes and
be more supportive of breastfeeding mothers and babies. The campaign touches on the benefits of breastfeeding and focuses
on minimizing the stigma about breastfeeding in public. Through this campaign, we hope that families and the communities in
which they live will support new mothers and give them the confidence they need to breastfeed anytime, anywhere.
The posters are designed to be used in all communities throughout the province, in rural and urban settings, including
hockey arenas, schools, colleges, Memorial University, community centres, shopping malls, businesses and within the health care
system.
The website is directed at pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and their families. It aims to support parents by offering
accurate information with local resources and ways to get help. It will also provide news of breastfeeding events and other relevant information. As we build on the website, we hope that more Newfoundland and Labrador women will connect and receive
information and support for breastfeeding.
Janet Murphy Goodridge, Provincial Breastfeeding Consultant
L-R: Melinda Jones, baby Harrison and Jeff Rose were
among the many families who participated in the breastfeeding campaign launch.
A breastfeeding mom, Carla Reid, and her son, Adam, with Janet Murphy Goodridge,
Provincial Breastfeeding Consultant, at the launch of the province-wide breastfeeding
campaign in Labrador City.
CERVICAL SCREENING INITIATIVES
Successful Pap Test Screening Clinics at North West River
The Mani Ashini Health Centre coordinated a very successful project to increase Pap testing. Catriona Malloy, Regional Nurse
I, established a campaign to promote Pap testing in women who live in North West River and Sheshatshiu.
Catriona started by reviewing the charts of participating women and tagging them for the date of their last Pap test. This
process identified women to be called and invited for a Pap test appointment. In addition, women attending the clinic for other
reasons were offered a Pap Test appointment. The invitations were also extended to daughters and granddaughters.
Catriona identifies several benefits of this approach:
• This process permits recall.
• Older women were targeted to improve self-care practices.
• Awareness was raised for a variety of age groups.
• This service reached women who never had a Pap test or were more than five years overdue.
Team Makkovik
Cervical screening statistics have usually been very high within some of the coastal communities served by Labrador-Grenfell
Health. Makkovik, along with Black Tickle and Hopedale, has been consistent in achieving this for some time. Goldie White, Nurse
Practitioner at the Makkovik Community Clinic, was quick to point out that this is the result of a team effort involving clinic staff
and women in the community.
Ms. White explains that a database was built to ensure that each eligible woman was offered the opportunity to be screened.
This was done by a chart review to determine the date of last Pap test. Women who were overdue for a Pap test were contacted
and offered an appointment, while the names of those who were due for a Pap test within the coming year were entered into the
‘Red Book’. The Red Book is a file maintained by the clinic staff that lists the clients who have recurrent investigations. When an
order is made for a test/referral/procedure, a sheet with the client’s information is placed in the month in which the event is due.
Once that is done, the sheet is then moved to the next due date. Each month, clients are contacted and given appointments to
have that procedure done.
The same system is followed for Pap tests and if a repeat is required, the sheet is moved to the month in which the repeat is
to be done. In addition, the Cervical Screening Initiatives Program’s logbook is used. This ensures clients are not missed for follow-up. When required, clinic staff have also increased appointments to catch up on late Pap tests.
The team in Makkovik feels that their system, now implemented, works well for organizing the workload, as well as raising
awareness among women. Some women are not waiting for a call from the clinic, but are calling to arrange their own appointments in the appropriate months, including some who have never been screened. Other women have even called to say thanks
for reminding them about this important health prevention initiative and express pride in being the highest screened community. They plan to make sure that they hold onto the record!
Elizabeth Michelin, Regional Coordinator, Cervical Screening Initiatives Program
ALONG THE COAST TO LABRADOR - AUGUST - OCTOBER, 2009, PAGE HALLOWEEN
Kathleen Blake, resident at the Paddon
Home, displays her colourful clown
make-up.
Residents at the Long Term Care Unit at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital enjoyed the costumes
of several employees who paid them a visit (sitting, l-r): Mary Casmey, Gladys Squires, Clara Turpin and Ella Hoffe;
(standing, l-r): Domestic/Utility Workers Evelyn Clarke, Linda Clements and Diane King, Denise Foote (Licensed
Practical Nurse), Crissy Stoodley (Stenographer) and Pauline Winter (Laundry Worker).
The Rehab Team at the
Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital
were in the Halloween
spirit, shown here in their
Flintstones costumes
(l-r): Patti Moores (Occupational Therapist),
Colette Blanchard (Speech
Language Pathologist),
Brenda Drover (Clerical),
Gail Moores (Licensed
Practical Nurse), Melissa
Sullivan (Physiotherapist)
and Arthur Ash (Physiotherapist).
Diane Roberts (Casual Recreation Worker)
helps Paddon Home resident Pearl Baikie
with her “bunny face”.
L-R: Eileen McCarthy, Licensed Practical
Nurse, Mona Snow, PCA and resident Bertha
Simms enjoyed the Halloween Party at the
John M. Gray Centre.
L-R: Resident Ambrose
Curl, Recreation Specialist
Heather Bromley and resident Boyd Pilgrim enjoyed
a Newfie jig, with music
provided by the Pumper
Boys.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Program
Nobody’s Perfect is an education and support program for parents of children from birth
to age five. It is designed to meet the needs of
parents who are young, single, socially or geographically isolated, or who have low income or
limited formal education.
The Nobody’s Perfect Program was developed by Health Canada, in partnership with
the Departments of Health of the four Atlantic
provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and
Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
The program was introduced nationally in 1987.
Nobody’s Perfect is usually offered as a
series of six to eight weekly group sessions. The
program is built around five colourful, easy-toread books which are given to the parents free of
charge. The program is not intended for families
in crisis and participation in the program is voluntary. During the meetings, trained facilitators
A Nobody’s Perfect Facilitator’s Training was held in Labrador City from September 14-17, 2009 and
support participants as they work together to
eight participants were certified as new facilitators of the program. Back row, l-r: Karla Richards
(Community Health Nurse, Labrador City); Bev Simms (Community Health Nurse, St. Anthony);
discover positive ways of parenting.
Peggy Slipp (Social Worker Assistant, Happy Valley-Goose Bay); Lisa Blackmore (Trainer/Regional
The Nobody’s Perfect Program is based on
Family Resource Centre and Community Agency Coordinator); Christina Dillon (Child and Behavthe
principles
of adult education – it builds on
iour Management Specialist, Wabush) and Delores Fillier (Community Health Nurse, Roddickton).
what parents already know and do for themFront row, l-r: Megan Pike (Community Health Nurse, Forteau); Michelle Ralph (Child and Behaviour Management Specialist, Wabush); Claudine Kean Dobbin (Trainer/Parent and Child Health
selves and their children. It starts with the
Coordinator) and Shelley Cormier (Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor, Labrador City).
parents’ personal experiences and interests and
actively involves participants in the learning process. It builds networks among parents and encourages them to see one another as sources of advice and support.
Nobody’s Perfect has proven to be an effective program for parents who have limited access to sources of help or information. The program is offered in a broad range of settings in every Canadian province and territory.
Across Canada, over 5,000 community workers, parents, public health nurses and other professionals have been trained
as Nobody’s Perfect facilitators. Facilitation training provides information about delivering the Nobody’s Perfect Program and
develops skills for helping adults learn in group settings.
To obtain further information regarding the Nobody’s Perfect Program or its implementation within the Labrador-Grenfell
Health region, please contact one of the regional Nobody’s Perfect Program trainers as follows: Claudine Kean Dobbin at (709)
944-9320, Lisa Blackmore at (709) 944-9364 or Helen Dyson at (709) 454-3333 (ext. 291).
Neonatal Resuscitation
On October 5 and 6, 2009, the Neonatal
Resuscitation Course was offered to Licensed
Practical Nurses at the Labrador Health Centre,
Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Participants included
(l-r): Pamela Brown, RN, Midwife (Instructor) and
LPNs Darwin McGee, Sandra Boyd and Audrey
Dunphy.
ALONG THE COAST TO LABRADOR - AUGUST - OCTOBER, 2009, PAGE PASTORAL CARE WEEK
Pastoral Care Week was celebrated from October 25-31, 2009. This year’s theme was Supportive Presence. The week was
celebrated through the use of promotional items such as posters, buttons, etc., and refreshments at various sites in the region.
Labrador-Grenfell Health thanks the pastoral care workers throughout the region for the spiritual care they provide to patients/
clients, residents and staff.
During Pastoral Care Week, the Pastoral Care Committee in Happy Valley-Goose
Bay offered a week of special services for residents at the Paddon Memorial Home.
In addition, they held a coffee and cake break on October 28, 2009. Participating
in the coffee break were: (back, l-r): Shirley Michelin, Kim Walch, Daphne Mesher
(seated), Diane Roberts, Minnie Elliott, Regula Shule, Pastor Terry Snow and Rev.
Lee Michelin. (front, l-r): Pearl Baikie, Dorothy Fequet and Wilma Dyson.
Regional Director of Pharmacy Marks
25-Year Career Milestone
Labrador-Grenfell Health
congratulates Bertram C.J. Warr
Jr (Ph.C.), Regional Director of
Pharmacy Services, who recently celebrated a 25-year career
milestone as a Pharmacist. In
recognition of his achievement, he received a silver pin
and certificate, presented at
the Pharmacy Association of
Newfoundland and Labrador
Conference, held in Gander on
October 3, 2009.
Pastoral Care Week celebrations were held at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital in Labrador City. On hand for the cake-cutting
were: (l-r) Gladys Squires, Maria Leclerc, Clara M. Turpin, Rev. Wayne Parsons, Rowena Payne, Norma Pretty, Ruth Mouland and Christina Pelletier.
Trivia
This issue:
Q: Dr. Grenfell met his wife Anne MacClanahan on a
passenger ship which was traveling from England
to New York. What was the name of the ship?
Last issue:
Q: Who wrote the book Northern Nurse?
A: Northern Nurse was written by Elliott Merrick.
Thank you to Dr. John M. Gray and Pearl Herbert,
who submitted correct responses.
PAGE 10, ALONG THE COAST TO LABRADOR - AUGUST - OCTOBER, 2009
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
Labrador-Grenfell Health is pleased to announce its scholarship award winners for 2009-10.
Traci Trimm of Forteau is the recipient of the Dr. and Mrs. Gordon W. Thomas Scholarship of $3,000 and Laura May of Flower’s
Cove and Giselle Russell of Happy Valley-Goose Bay are the recipients of the Grimes-Weld Scholarships of $2,000 each.
Traci graduated from Mountain Feild Academy in June, 2007. She continued her studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s and is currently working towards a Bachelor of Nursing degree.
Laura graduated from Canon Richards High in Flower’s Cove in June, 2007. She has completed two years of study at Memorial University of Newfoundland and plans to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in May, 2011. Laura plans to continue
studies in a Masters program either in Human Communications Disorders (Audiology) or Clinical Child Psychology, following
completion of her degree.
Giselle graduated from Mealy Mountain Collegiate in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in June, 2005. She has completed the third
year of the Radiography program at the University of New Brunswick-Saint John and plans to continue her education to be
qualified for Ultrasound, Mammography and MRI Technology.
The Dr. and Mrs. Gordon W. Thomas Scholarship is awarded annually to a student who is studying nursing, medicine or dentistry. Grimes-Weld Scholarships are awarded annually in memory of Nurse Joy Grimes and Dr. Elizabeth Weld, who died tragically in 1984 while serving the people of Northern Newfoundland and Labrador.
Traci Trimm of Forteau
Giselle Russell of Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Laura May of Flower’s Cove
ALONG THE COAST TO LABRADOR - AUGUST - OCTOBER, 2009, PAGE 11
GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES
Dr. Prabhu Benjamin
A farewell dinner was held at Point Amour Lighthouse in L’Anse
Amour to extend best wishes to Dr. Prabhu Benjamin and his family,
who were leaving the Forteau area after working at the Labrador South
Health Centre for the past three years. Many staff turned out to thank
him for the services he provided and to wish his family well.
Bonnie Davis, Clerical
L-R: Naveen, Marie, Prabhu and Alisia Benjamin.
Randy Howell
Randy Howell started work with the organization in 1989 as a Power Engineer (maintenance). His technical ability, having completed the Mechanical Engineering Technology program and his third class certificate, opened the door for him to become the registered “chief
engineer” of our steam plant a few years after his appointment. Knowing the huge infrastructure improvements required at the plant and around our facilities, Randy championed
the retrofit program, as he saw this as an opportunity to bring the various systems at our
facilities up to a better standard. The retrofit program was an enormous challenge, mainly
because de-staffing the plant was one of the two factors required to make the business case
for the retrofit, the other being energy savings. With Randy’s guidance, this became a reality,
and in 2009, the $2.3 million dollar program was successfully paid off. Randy moved to the
Scheduler Planner position and implemented a computerized Maintenance Management
System for the department, while continuing to be the technical “go to guy” for complex issues throughout the region.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Randy saw an opportunity to grow his career
this fall by becoming a Pressure Vessel Inspector with the Department of Government Services. He is based in Corner Brook and continues to hold responsibilities in this area of the
region. We wish Randy all the best in his chosen career and will, no doubt, miss his comprehensive understanding of our building systems.
Randy S. Cull, Regional Director, Support Services
Ivy Abbott
Ivy started work as a Nursing Aid with IGA at the Cartwright Nursing Station from 1976-1983.
She worked with homecare as a group home counsellor with the physically/mentally challenged
in St. Anthony in 1987-88. In 1988, she commenced work at the St. Anthony Interfaith Home and
then at the John M. Gray Centre.
Through her years of employment with Labrador-Grenfell Health, Ivy has continued her
education and kept current with nursing practices. In 1991, she graduated as an LPN from the
community college in St. Anthony and completed a post-grad in Gerontology Nursing, as well as
courses in foot care and many in-services and other seminars.
She has been a permanent/full-time employee at the John M. Gray Centre since 2001. She has
been a valued member of the Long Term Care team and will be greatly missed, not only for her
professional nursing contribution, but also for her guitar group, “Ivy and Friends”, who have spent
many evenings entertaining the seniors.
Good luck and best wishes as you accompany your husband to Pond Inlet, Nunavut.
Barbara Elliott, Resident Care Manager
FROM THE HOMES
John M. Gray Centre, St. Anthony
Residents Enjoy “Crafty Creations”
Tourists from the United States
Volunteer their Musical Talents
Jan Miller and Oliver Mutch, tourists from the United
States, dropped by to provide entertainment for a group of
residents at the John M. Gray Centre. Residents and staff listened attentively to a variety of old fashioned tunes as they
played the piano accordion and the flute. A special thank
you to these individuals for offering their time and talents.
Residents at the John M. Gray
Centre are thoroughly enjoying
a variety of new activities as part
of the Crafty Creations Program.
Shown above, cutting and tying
colourful fleece ends to make a
Newfoundland Tartan fleece blanket, are (l-r): Jessie Elliott, Rebecca
Gaulton, Teena Patey (Rehab Assistant), Flossie Cassell and Ada Pynn.
To the left is resident Flossie Cassell,
painting a wooden apple as part of
another Crafty Creations activity.
Games Day
(Front, l-r): Jessie Elliott, Clayton Simms and Gordon Alyward. (Back, l-r): Jan
Miller, Ambrose Curl, Cecil Burt and Oliver Mutch.
Baking Buddies
Earlier this fall,
residents spent an
afternoon enjoying
a variety of board
games, blocks,
checkers and
cards. In this photo,
resident Bertha
Simms engages in
a fun-filled game
of Operation, while
Recreation Specialist Heather Bromley
is interested to
see what Bertha is
about to retrieve.
L-R: Ada Pynn, Teena Patey (Rehab Assistant), Elizabeth McLean, Gordon Alyward, Ethel M. Pilgrim,
Jessie Elliott, Joyce Coombs and Flossie Cassell
anxiously prepare for an afternoon of baking.
An afternoon
at Baking Buddies turned out to
be a tasty one, as
residents gathered
round to add all
the necessary ingredients to make
delicious homemade apple and
strawberry pies. A
great time was had
by all and the residents thoroughly
enjoyed the pies to
the fullest.
FROM THE HOMES
Harry L. Paddon Memorial Home,
Happy Valley - Goose Bay
Labrador South Health Centre,
Forteau
Alzheimer’s Coffee Break
LabradorGrenfell Health
extends birthday
wishes to Mrs.
Mildred Wellman, a resident
at the long term
care wing of the
Labrador South
Health Centre,
Forteau, who
celebrated her
100th birthday
on September
27, 2009.
An Alzheimer’s Coffee Break was held at the Paddon Memorial Home on September 24, 2009. Employees gathered in the
solarium and enjoyed lots of delicious desserts and fresh coffee,
and in return, offered a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society. It
was a huge success – many thanks to everyone for their continued support.
Mrs. Mildred Wellman, celebrating a
milestone birthday.
(L-R): Patti Gill (Nurse), Shelley Anthony (Licensed Practical Nurse), Katrina Alyward (Nurse), Kim Ward (Nurse) and Wavey Montague (Personal Care Attendant).
A Day Trip to Birch Brook
Residents from the Paddon Memorial
Home and other seniors from the community enjoyed a day trip to the new Birch
Brook Nordic ski chalet earlier this fall. The
day was complete with a brisk walk, games,
crafts and a lovely lunch in the new chalet.
Thanks are extended to Pattie Fleming from
the Friendship Centre and the volunteers at
Birch Brook for making the day possible.
L-R: Abel Lidd, Kathleen Blake, Stella Cooke, Rosalie Martin and Juliana Lidd.
Mary Clarke (left) and Tina Jacque, Licensed Practical
Nurse.
HEADER
TITLE
LEFT
FOCUS ON
STAFF
Brian Davis
Brian was born and raised in St.
Anthony where he completed his high
school education in 2006. He entered
a three year Mechanical Engineering
Program at the College of the North
Atlantic in St. John’s and graduated
in April 2009. Throughout the past
summer, Brian has continued to study
and write exams to obtain an Inter-provincial Third Class Power Engineering
Certificate. He notes he is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys
hunting and fishing.
Brian recently accepted a position as an Engineering
Technologist II at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital
in St. Anthony. He notes he is happy to be back home and
looks forward to working with Labrador-Grenfell Health.
Welcome Brian, and all the best in your new position.
Judy Joy
Judy has been nursing since 1991 and studied to
became a Nurse Practitioner in 2003. She has worked in
several areas of the province including Degrau, Ramea, Stephenville. Judy recently accepted a position with LabradorGrenfell Health working at the Labrador South Health Centre
in Forteau. She notes she has one daughter who is 20 years
old and now out on her own.
Welcome to Forteau, Judy, and good luck in your new
position.
Dr. Anas Abdulkhaliq
Dr. Abdulkhaliq comes from Iraq.
He graduated from medical school in
Baghdad in 2002 and completed his
internship and worked in Iraq for three
and a half years. He then moved to
Oman where he also worked for approximately three and one half years.
Dr. Abdulkhaliq has accepted a
General Practitioner position with Labrador-Grenfell Health and is working
in Flower’s Cove. Welcome Dr. Abdulkhaliq. Best wishes in
your new job and your new home.
James Feltham
James comes from St. John’s and is
a graduate of the General Hospital and
Memorial University. He has worked as a
Registered Nurse for the past 27 years, his
last position being with Eastern Health
in the Intensive Care Unit at the Health
Sciences Centre. He is currently serving as
President of the Association of Registered
Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
(ARNNL) until June 2010. He notes he is
the first direct care nurse to serve in the role as President.
James says he is looking forward to a new direction in his
nursing practice from working in a hospital setting to working
in a clinic on the coast of Labrador. He has accepted a Regional
Nurse I position with Labrador-Grenfell Health, starting in the
community of Hopedale. Welcome to your new position and
your new home, James.
Michelle Kelly
Michelle comes from Paradise, NL
and is a new graduate of the Centre
for Nursing Studies. She has accepted
a Public Health Nursing position with
Labrador-Grenfell Health and will be
working in Labrador City.
Welcome and good luck in your
new home and your new position,
Michelle.
Kathleen Noseworthy
Kathleen comes from Botwood,
NL. She has spent the last three years
in Arizona, USA, where she obtained a
Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling. Over the past two years she has
worked with adults and adolescents who
have addictions and concurrent mental
health issues.
Kathleen has accepted a position
as an Addictions Counselor working in
Happy Valley-Goose Bay. She will be providing services to
individuals and families who have addictions and concurrent
mental health issues. Welcome to Labrador-Grenfell Health,
Kathleen. We hope you enjoy working and living in Happy
Valley-Goose Bay.
FOCUS
STAFF
HEADERON
TITLE
RIGHT
Marlene Penney
Jesse Pynn
Marlene has been employed with
Sykes Assistance Services, the service provider for telehealth in NL for the past three
years. She had various positions with the
company, including Director of Operations
and NL Director of Client Relations.
Marlene holds a national certification
in Critical Care Nursing and has extensive
experience in ICU nursing, including 17
years at the Health Sciences Centre and
two and a half years at Curtis Memorial Hospital.
Marlene has accepted the Waitlist Management Coordinator position with Labrador-Grenfell Health in St. Anthony. In
this role she will monitor wait time data and communicate its
interpretation to key stakeholders. She will also help identify
linkages for successful waitlist management for the LabradorGrenfell Health region.
Marlene notes that she looks forward to this new
role and is approaching it as an opportunity for professional
growth. Welcome back to Labrador-Grenfell Health, Marlene,
and best wishes in your new position.
Jesse is from St. Anthony. He completed the Primary
Care Paramedicine Program at the College of the North
Atlantic in Stephenville, NL.
Jesse has accepted a Primary Care Paramedic/Security position with Labrador-Grenfell Health and will be working in St. Anthony. Welcome Jesse and all the best in your
new position.
Mona Snow
Janice Walsh
Mona is from St. Lunaire-Griquet and has worked in tourism for
eight years. She went back to school
in the fall of 2008 and completed
Personal Care Attendant/Home Support Worker training. She worked in
a Personal Home Care for one and a
half years.
Mona has recently accepted a
Personal Care Attendant position
with Labrador-Grenfell Health and
will be working at the John M. Gray Centre. She notes she
loves working with the elderly and is eager to get started.
Welcome Mona and good luck in your new position.
Originally from Bell Island,
Janice has lived in Holyrood,
NL for the past six years. During her nursing career she has
worked in General Surgery at
St. Clare’s Hospital as well as in
Critical Care at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s.
Janice has accepted a
nursing position in the Outpatient Department at the Captain William Jackman Memorial
Hospital in Labrador City.
Welcome to the Labrador- Grenfell team, Janice. We
hope you enjoy living in Labrador and working with us.
Steven Ward
Susan Wiseman
Steven is from St. Anthony
and has just recently graduated
from the Primary Care Paramedic
course at the College of the
North Atlantic in St. John’s, NL.
He has accepted a position
as Primary Care Paramedic for
the St. Anthony, Flower’s Cove
and Roddickton areas. Welcome
back home, Steven. Good luck
in your new position.
Originally from the West Coast, for
the past 15 years Susan has worked
with Mental Health and Addictions at
Western Health, and recently for a brief
period with the Nunatsiavut Department of Health and Social Development.
She has accepted a position as
Manager, Mental Health and Addictions with Labrador-Grenfell Health and
will be working at the Labrador Health
Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Welcome to Labrador-Grenfell Health, Susan. Good
luck in your new position.
FRIENDS OF ALONG THE COAST TO LABRADOR
My wife and I had the opportunity on a trip to Newfoundland and Labrador to visit St. Anthony. The tour was only eight
days – we were in St. Anthony just two days ago on our whirlwind tour of the west side of Newfoundland. It was a small group
of folk (eight of us with a guide), driven in a large van. The group, named Wildland Tours, visited St. Anthony for a day, including
the museum and Grenfell House. In the early part of 1961, my wife Eunice (who died nearly seven years ago) and I worked at
the Grenfell Hospital as a doctor and nurse for a period of six months, after which we worked in Thailand as medical missionaries and later returned home for health reasons. I then worked as a General Practitioner in Cambridge, Ontario. It was a real joy
to see the amazing changes that have occurred in St. Anthony and upon my return home here, I was able to contact Dr. John
Cronhelm, as well as Dr. John Gray, by phone and talk with them. What happy memories have come to mind, even after all these
years. I appreciate the lessons I learned from Dr. Gordon Thomas and some of the professors who came to St. Anthony during
the time I was there, one of them being Dr. Bob Salter, who is retired in Toronto, I believe. We are sorry that we did not get up to
visit the hospital, but our time was short. Thank you for reading this quick note of our happy time, though short, of our time in
St. Anthony. Don and Pam Harrison
Thank you very much for reprinting the article regarding Bob Bartlett in ‘From the Past’. This summer, I have been taking advantage of the Bartlett Year activities and have read a couple of Bartlett books which were in my husband’s library. I appreciated
this summary and tribute written at the time of Bartlett’s death. My husband Barry (who died in 2005) and I spent the summer
of 1969 mainly in North West River, but also Nain, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and St. Anthony, when he did a medical school clerkship with Grenfell. I helped the WOPs with a summer program for children. I still follow Grenfell Association news with interest.
Judy May
I have just received your April-July issue – always so interesting. Though my connection was in 1953-55 and later as a volunteer for a month, I knew Bella Shouse and was glad to see of her well-deserved award. Recently I came across notes written
about my time in St. Anthony as Housekeeper Dietitian for a year, before moving to North West River to assist my friend, Dorothy
Thomlinson (later Mrs. W. Gilbert). Sadly, she died last year after a heroic struggle with MS. I have visited St. Anthony on three
occasions – I was much impressed by the developments! On one visit, I gave a month’s relief work as housekeeper.
Best wishes, Jane Errington
Editor’s Note: Watch for Ms. Errington’s writings in upcoming issues.
I enjoy getting Along the Coast to Labrador and enjoy the reading. Keep up the good work.
Pearl Buckle
RETIREMENTS
Lorelie Cull
Lorelie left her home at Frenchman’s Island at the young age of six to attend school in Cartwright.
She came to St. Anthony at the age of fourteen to live in the orphanage and finish her schooling. During the summer breaks from high school, Lorelie worked as an Aide with the IGA at Curtis Hospital. She
went on to attend the S.A. Grace General Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1972 to begin
her rewarding career in many areas of nursing: as Staff Nurse on most of the Nursing Units, Nursing Supervisor, Infection Control/Inservice Coordinator, Chemotherapy Nurse, Unit Coordinator and Nursing
Coordinator of the LPN program.
Throughout her career, she has been a valuable asset to the Nursing Department, not only for the
benefit of clients, but also for her colleagues. Her caring and professionalism, as well as her wit and
humor, will be missed.
Lorelie retired from her position as Staff Nurse on the Day Surgery Unit on October 30, 2009. We
wish her a long, healthy, happy retirement with her family. Lorelie plans to write a book and we wish
her the best of luck!
Sharon Penney, Nursing Site Manager
Gloria Dumaresque
Gloria was employed with Aramark Canada Ltd., at the Captain William Jackman Memorial
Hospital for 26 years. She started work as a Food Service Worker I in 1983 and was promoted to
Cook I in 2002. She is now looking forward to spending time with her grandchildren and we wish
her all the best in her retirement.
Carol Welshman, Clerk/Supervisor
Gary Newell
Gary started working with the International Grenfell Association on April 2,
1973. He stayed with the organization as it changed into Grenfell Regional Health
Services and now Labrador-Grenfell Health.
Gary spent many years working as a Dental Assistant in the clinic located in
St. Anthony. In June 2001, he was seconded for six months to start up the Grenfell Foundation and remained in the role of Foundation Coordinator until his
retirement on September 25, 2009. In this position, Gary played a pivotal role in
Foundation fundraising to assist with the purchase of necessary medical equipment. Gary also took on the role of events planner, working with the Foundation
Board and employees to ensure the success of Volunteer Dinners, Heritage Day
and Founder’s Day events. In recent times, Gary assisted the Foundation to build
chapters in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Labrador West.
In addition to his Foundation work, Gary spent countless hours promoting the
Grenfell Legacy. Gary assisted those seeking information relative to Grenfell history and collected historical items and records with which he started the Grenfell Archives. His efforts contributed to The Rooms’
Grenfell collection, featured earlier this year. His talent as a self-made historian was a strength in his service to Along the Coast to
Labrador, to which he contributed both stories and pictures.
Thank-you Gary, for your contribution to the organization over the years. We wish you good health in your retirement years
and good luck in all your future ventures.
Julie Nicholas, Chief Operating Officer (South)
PHOTO TRIVIA
This issue:
Last issue:
Q: What is the name of this vessell?
What community is shown in the background?
Q: Name the gentleman shown in
this photo?
What was his role in the facility
in which he worked?
A: The gentleman shown is John
Mitchell. This photo generated
many responses from our readers – here are some of them:
•
OBITUARIES
Ann (White) Way
Ann died peacefully in her sixtieth year at her
home in Flower’s Cove. She fought cancer courageously for nearly two years but lost the battle on
September 15, 2009.
Ann worked as a Secretary (Jack-of-all-trades) at
the Flower’s Cove Nursing Station (IGA) in the early
seventies. Her thoughtfulness and caring spirit will be
dearly missed by her family and many friends.
Ann is survived by her husband, Don, son Ramsey
(Lisa), daughter Trudy (Shannon), grandchildren Theo,
Lilly and Claire, as well as her brother, Harvey (Lynn)
and sisters Thamsie and Gloria (Nelson).
•
The man in the photo of the most recent issue of Along the
Coast to Labrador is Johnny Mitchell, a well-known face at the
hospital in St. Anthony in the 50s and 60s. Johnny was caretaker, janitor and jack of all trades around the Mission premises
(Mervin Patey).
•
This photo is of Johnny Mitchell, who faithfully raised and lowered the flag on the Mission grounds – every day. The flag pole
was down in front of the annex (I think that’s where it was – I
know we passed by it every day on the way to school). He also
did various jobs around the hospital. He lived in the annex…he
was like an uncle to my brother and I. He came up to the house
a few days before I got married and brought me a Canadian flag
for a wedding present – had it rolled up under his arm. We have
a picture of him at our wedding. We took that flag to Australia
with us and it hung over our front door! (Paddy Thomas Simpson).
•
Johnny Mitchell was born in a community at the bottom of
White Bay – he was a faithful employee at the hospital – fetching the mail from the Mission Store, cleaning, etc. Most importantly, he used to go to the stores when asked by patients to
buy things for them. Johnny was a delightful man who knew
the meaning of honesty (Dr. John M. Gray).
•
I am writing to respond to the Photo Trivia question in the AprilJuly 2009 issue of Along the Coast to Labrador. John Mitchell
– better known as Johnny, is the gentleman shown. P.S. Thanks
for the memories. I was in the nursing department 1964-69.
(June Kelly)
•
A correct answer was also received from Bruce Pilgrim, St.
Anthony.
Joan Cattell
It is with sadness that Labrador-Grenfell Health
notes the passing of Joan Cattell on August 16, 2009
in Hereford, UK. Fondly known as “Nurse Cattell”, she
joined the Grenfell Mission in 1950, when she sailed
from her native England to serve as a nurse in Roddickton. She arrived in late September, to provide
relief for Nurse Rhodes, who had been there for
three years. In 1960, she moved to Conche, where
she worked as a Nurse/Midwife at the five-bed IGA
Nursing Station there. She also traveled from community to community in the local area as needed – by
snowmobile, dog team and by boat – providing nursing and dental care, visiting schools, administering
vaccinations, providing antenatal care and so on. She
was reliable and resourceful, and touched the lives of
many families, not only in Conche, but also all along
the French Shore. In 1983, she retired, after 33 years
of service. She will undoubtedly be remembered for
her dedication and skills in providing health care services to the residents of the area for many years.
The gentleman shown is Johnny Mitchell. He was the Maintenance Man at the Old Hospital. He also made ice cream with
the big hand driven ice cream makers – he used to sneak us a
little taste of ice cream when we visited sick relatives there on
Sundays! This was in the 50s. We were from out of town and
that was a real treat. I will never forget him – he was a great
man with a heart of gold (Don Pilgrim, hometown St. Anthony
Bight).
COMINGS AND GOINGS
WELCOME TO:
GOOD-BYE & GOOD LUCK TO:
Churchill Falls
Krista-Gayle Saunders Community Health Nurse
Churchill Falls
Joy Byrde
Flower’s Cove
Dr. Anas Abdulkhaliq Family Physician
Forteau
Michael Noble
Regional Nurse
Dr. Benjamin Prabhu Family Physician
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Katrina Alyward
Community Health Nurse (Temporary)
Candace Colpitts Social Worker I
Kathleen Noseworthy Addictions Counsellor
Gillian O’Brien
Youth Outreach Worker
Peter Reid
Social Worker I
Ernie Slade
Manager, Occupational Health and Safety
Tammy Smitheram Nurse I
Kirsty Williams
Nurse I
Neil Williams
Nurse I
Suzanne Wiseman Manager, Mental Health and Addictions
Hopedale
Bradley Richards
Brenda Ward
Social Worker II
Social Worker II
Labrador City/Wabush
Arthur Ash
Physiotherapist
Wendy Fagan
Pharmacy Technician
Jennifer Green
Nurse I
Aldena Hillier-LeggeSocial Worker I
Michelle Kelly
Community Health Nurse
Carla Kennedy
Ronald Lee
Laboratory Technologist
Maresa Moyles
Speech Language Pathologist (Temporary)
Stephen Ricketts Manager, Human Resources
Southeast Labrador
Judy Mahar
Regional Nurse (Casual)
Community Health Nurse
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Bonnie Hancock-Moore Mental Health Counsellor
Carl Kelly
Nurse I
Bridgett Morgan
Social Worker II
Jenny Oldford
Nurse I
Lori Pope
Social Worker I
Labrador City/Wabush
Edwina Brenton
Nurse I
Thomas Careen
Power Engineer (4th Class)
Cristina Cox
Paramedic (Temporary)
Catherine Doyle
Domestic Worker (Temporary)
Loretta Hancock
Clerk Typist II (Retired)
Alice Laing
Licensed Practical Nurse (Retired)
Janice Rose Hann Nurse I
Natuashish
Chiming Ngu
Bernadette Nui
Social Worker II
Community Service Worker
Port Hope Simpson
Leona Abbott
Regional Nurse
St. Anthony
Ivy Abbott
Krista Clarke
Randy Howell
Karen Lawless
Ruby Osmond
Marshall Pilgrim
Trina Roberts
Angela White
St. Anthony
Lesley Anthony Clark Social Worker
Michael Couche
Biomedical Engineering Technologist I
Brian Davis
Engineering Technologist II
Dr. B.R. Gunna
General Surgeon
Mary Hedderson Personal Care Attendant
Jackie Noseworthy Licensed Practical Nurse (Temporary Casual)
Marlene Penney
Waitlist Management Coordinator
Jesse Pynn
Primary Care Paramedic/Security (Casual – St. Anthony, Roddickton/Flower’s Cove)
Mona Snow
Personal Care Attendant
Sherry Squires
Steven Ward
Primary Care Paramedic/Security
(Casual – St. Anthony, Roddickton/Flower’s Cove)
Faye Wheeler
Registered Nurse
Tonya Woodward Personal Care Attendant (Temporary)
Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse
Planner II
Typist II (Temporary - Grenfell Foundation)
Domestic Worker
Domestic Worker
Personal Care Attendant
Respiratory Therapist (Temporary)
FROM THE PAST
The Library, Yale Elementary School
By Dr. Tony Paddon (a letter from the Grenfell Foundation Archives, written in the mid 1970s)
People sometimes ask me how the library came to be
named after Mrs. Mae Dunning. Mrs. Dunning was herself a
librarian in the Boston Athenium, a famous institution in Boston, Massachusetts, which included a library and other cultural
activities. She started in that work in the 1920s, and though
in time she gave up being a librarian, she was later associated
with Harper Brothers, a distinguished American publishing
company of New York. She was married to Dr. James Dunning,
a Director of the Grenfell Association and also a Director of its
New England branch for many years. Dr. Dunning has always
been the spokesman for the dental health services of IGA and
has taken a very active part in planning them and helping to
develop them. He has sent many excellent dentists to us in
the North and continues to push vigorously for ever improved
services.
As the Dunning children went through their school years,
Mrs. Dunning became interested in their summer reading, and
worked with Miss Anderson, the librarian of the town of Cotuit,
where the Dunnings lived during their summer holidays. This
was the beginning of a process in which she learnt a great deal
about children’s reading, and about the sort of books which
interest various age groups. We want children to read for pleasure, rather than strictly for education, but reading itself is an
essential part of education. The books selected for our library
are intended to interest children and to give them pleasure, but
also to arouse their curiosity about the world in which they live.
General knowledge, too, is always greatly increased by reading.
Through the Grenfell Association, Mae Dunning became
friends with Miss Edith Griscom, long associated with the
Grenfell organization and herself a former worker on the coast.
The two, as Dr. Dunning recently wrote me, made a wonderful team, for they were both deeply interested in library work,
and skillful in it, and both had many contacts within IGA and
the people who support our work. In 1963, a library at Flower’s
Cove was in need of development, and the two ladies set about
to get it enlarged and improved, and thereafter they both
spent a great deal of time and effort together in helping many
of the libraries in Northern Newfoundland and Labrador. In
1965, Mae and Jim Dunning visited Northern Newfoundland
and she took a good look at the library situation in several communities while he was doing the same for the dental services.
Flower’s Cove and St. Anthony received special attention that
year, although IGA had been working to improve many other
libraries for a number of years, including those at Cartwright
and North West River. It was not until 1967 that Mae Dunning
actually paid her first visit to North West River, and thereafter
her knowledge of our library was a full and personal one. Many
generous donations of books have come to us over the years,
always new, very carefully chosen to meet our needs, the very
best available and always bright and interesting.
In 1968 she again came to Northern Labrador, checking
on the state of all libraries in communities on the coast and
here, including Nain, Hopedale and Makkovik, and she was so
impressed with the Moravian bi-centennial exhibition which
was being prepared in Nain School that in 1969 she arranged
an exhibit from Nain at the Boston Museum of Science.
She was not able to return to Labrador after that, but she
and Edith Griscom continued to build an ever increasing file
of children’s books – not text books but ‘reading for pleasure’
and more and more Labrador and Newfoundland communities
received help and books each year. In 1971 she herself became
a Director of our New England Grenfell Association. The work
grew and in the last year, for example, four more libraries in
Labrador communities began to receive IGA help. She made
many friends among the Grenfell staff, our school teachers
and our people on the coast and astonished me with the way
in which she maintained her contacts and knew about every
detail of the library progamme. She died in October 1972, and
will be remembered by all of us who knew her for her graciousness and for her concern for the children of Labrador. Miss
Edith Griscom carries on the work alone, though she is now 80
years old, but very busy and active with our libraries. Dr. and
Mrs. Dunning served the people of the North well over a very
long period of time, and though his interest was first in dental
services and hers in libraries, the purpose of each was to help
bring about a better Labrador. He is still very active on our
board.
So that is why the library is called the Mae Dunning Library.
One might suppose that it just arose by itself, like a tree or a
mushroom, but actually it is the result of much planning and
hard work by many people behind the scenes. Mrs. Dunning
was a key part of this, and was ably assisted in particular by
Mrs. Watts, our principal. Edith Griscom is still carrying on her
part of selection and supply of many of our new books, and
we hope the library will serve an even greater service to North
West River.
Along the Coast to Labrador
is a quarterly publication from the Regional Newsletter Committee
Labrador-Grenfell Health, St. Anthony, NL A0K 4S0
Phone (709) 454-0128 Fax: (709) 454-4952
Email: alison.dower@lghealth.ca Website: www.lghealth.ca
Northern Pen Printing 1-709-454-2191

Along the Coast to Labrador - Labrador

Transcription

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