(L-R: Cheryl Lawton, RN, Ashley Mercier, RPN, Janine Widdifield, RPN, Tori Lacarte, RPN and Della Everett, PSW)

KIRKLAND Lk - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Hospital Fund granted $125,000 to Blanche River Health’s Kirkland Lake site, and Englehart site, as part of its COVID-19 relief initiative to support those on the frontline of this pandemic. The funds will be used to purchase new equipment at both hospital sites. 

“Blanche River Health is incredibly grateful to the CMA Foundation for its donation,” says Sean Conroy, President, and CEO, Blanche River Health. “The grant has funded the purchase of several items of clinical equipment within the Kirkland Lake site and has allowed us to update the patient entertainment experience with smart TVs at the Englehart site.” 

"I am inspired every day by the dedication of physicians, health care providers, and all hospital workers as they continue to confront the COVID-19 pandemic head-on,” says Allison Seymour, CMA Foundation president. "We know these are extraordinary times that require extraordinary support. From managing evolving health care needs to address changes in your community, to ensure the proper equipment and training for your staff, our hope is that these funds will have a positive impact as you continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic.”

The CMA Foundation is the charitable arm of the Canadian Medical Association and provides impactful charitable giving that furthers excellence in health care. To date, the foundation has committed more than $30 million in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(L-R: Christina Acton, Kirkland Lake representative for the Temiskaming Metis Community Council, Gina Ross, Manager, Patient Care Services)

Blanche River Health has been donated two Thera-Glide chairs from the Temiskaming Metis Community Council!

“Blanche River Health is very thankful to the Temiskaming Metis Community Council for its generous donation,” says Vice-President, Corporate Services, and CFO, Andrew Brown. “It will bring a small piece of home into our long-term care facilities at the Englehart and Kirkland Lake sites,” Brown added.

A representative from the Temiskaming Metis Community Council said, “We are pleased to be able to donate these beautiful gliders to our area hospitals for the long-term care patients. We wanted to bring these patients a feeling of home as well safety while using these gliders. We hope it will bring them a smile and happiness while rocking away!”

To kick start Blanche River Health’s Behind the Scenes (BTS) series, we are taking you into our pharmacy department in honor of Pharmacy Appreciation Month.

A pharmacist's role is to collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure that patients receive the most effective, safe, and appropriate medications supported by the best evidence.

“A pharmacist reviews medication orders, patients’ lab values, and their medical history.  They also adjust doses or recommend changes to optimize therapy,” says Lauren O’Connor-Byer, Pharmacist, Blanche River Health.

These healthcare professionals provide safe preparation and distribution of medications by filling, packaging, and compounding all the products you receive.

 “We also provide representation on committees and contribute to the hospital-wide quality and patient safety initiatives,” O’Connor-Byer added.