Community Health Foundation
High Prairie & District
Community Health Foundation
Our Visionary—Dr. R. Laughlin
Dr.
Laughlin had a vision that he shared.
The vision was to obtain a CT Scan for the planned new High Prairie
Health Complex.
Moving Forward With Our Vision -
(Photo, Left to Right) Chairperson Nona Elliott, Dr R. Laughlin, Town Manager Larry Baran (High Prairie), Councillor Ken Mathews (M.D. of Big Lakes), Ms Linda Williscroft, Ms Rose Kasinec, Board of Governors Peace Country Health, Mr George Keay, Ms Val Johnson. Not pictured, but other active members include: Lawyer Harry Jong, Mr D. Vandermeullen, Ms Alicemary Olansky, Ms Kate Butler (former Director of Health Care, Peace Country Health), and Councillor Wilf Willier (High Prairie).
The
High Prairie & District Physician Retention Recruitment Committee was formed
in 2006. We knew that, as a small rural community, we must stay on top of
health care planning. Community
founders back in 1934 and 1937 shared the same concerns to “Improve the
health care services available in High Prairie and take the initiative to
provide them.” We also know
that, if we are to continue to attract and retain physicians in High
Prairie, we must be as resourceful as our community fore-bearers.
The HP & District Physician Retention Committee then took one more step
forward and formed the High Prairie & District Community Health Foundation.
This Foundation was formed to assist our community in developing the
community amenities that will attract and retain physicians.
This translates into new facilities, modern equipment, and training
enhancement opportunities. We
need to be able to assure our prospective, and present, physicians that they
will be able to use the full range of their present medical skills and
provide opportunities for them to upgrade their present skills.
History of Health Care in High
Prairie:
When you are moving forward with
an initiative it is prudent to look back at similar initiatives.
Information
from the Sister of Providence, 1973:
“In 1934, a six-bed hospital combined
with a private residence became the Paulson Hospital,
Dr. Gudmunder Paulson and his wife, a
registered nurse, cared for the patients.
February 1937 the hospital became the
Providence Hospital. Dr. J.B. Wood and Dr. E.L. McIntyre were the town
doctors. Quote: Even before the opening came more space was needed, a drive
for funds was started in the district and the next year a wing was added.
Furnishings for the new wing flooded in from all parts of the area.
The newly-formed High Prairie Elks Club adopted the furnishing of a
private room as their first project.
The first building was bought for the sum of $4,500.00.”
The High Prairie & District Community Health Foundation was formed because we knew that as a small rural community we must stay on top of health care planning. Our Community founders back in 1934 and 1937 shared the same concerns “Improve the health care services available in High Prairie and take the initiative to provide them.” We also know that if we are to continue to attract and retain physicians and health care professionals in High Prairie we must be resourceful. We must gain community support and ask for their financial backing.
The Retention & Recruitment of Health Care Professionals
According
to the Alberta Resource Guide, “the new breed of health care professionals”
require different recreational, professional & community amenities than the
established older physician. To attract new health care professionals to our
community, we are going to need some major incentives.
The Town of High Prairie & MD of Big Lakes are being very generous,
but everyone must share the responsibility.
Our first initiative was
the formation of the High Prairie & District Community Health Foundation,
and the first goal of the Foundation is to raise the $2.5 Million by 2010
for the purchase of the CT Scan.
The Town of High Prairie is providing temporary housing for new physicians
and their families. Peace
County Health will be providing residences
for nurses & physicians in the new H.P. Health complex (under
construction in 2008). The M.D. of Big Lakes have agreed
to support all these initiatives.
Providing
professional amenities, that will attract and retain health care
professionals, is not entirely the responsibility of the Town of High
Prairie, Peace Country Health and the Municipal District of Big Lakes.
We all benefit from the health care services provided in the High
Prairie Region. Let us make it
a community initiative. Ms
Pearl Calahasen, our MLA, has committed to giving us all the assistance she
can.
Until it’s completion in 2010, the new High Prairie Health Complex will
require community input and planning.
We must ensure that we have the people and equipment in place to
fully operate the new facility.
Meeting the health care needs of our community and surrounding areas, on a
long term and short-term basis, will be a gigantic feat.
We need everyone’s input and assistance to keep ahead of the game.
“ Invest in the future of
Health Care in our Community.
Continue the Evolution.”
HP & District Community Health Foundation Goals
Goal:
To maintain an full
compliment of skilled physicians, nurses, and other medical technicians,
with local access to current state-of-art technology, by
2010.