Covenant Health

Community member Heather St. Hilaire recently donated several old boxed set records to residents and staff at St. Martha’s Place, our long-term care centre in Banff. The records belonged to her parents, and she says music brought them joy when her mother was living with Alzheimer’s disease. Residents and staff also recently received a record player and other albums. They’re looking forward to enjoying music afternoons and playing Name That Tune, thanks to these gifts. #CovenantStrong

How cute! This is such a heartwarming example of how our staff (NICU Crocheters) go above and beyond to support patients and their families.

Our housekeeping staff at St. Mary’s Hospital in Camrose has been doing an excellent job cleaning and disinfecting the entire hospital as they manage an increased workload during COVID-19. Team lead Lisa Olson says though her team is working hard, they remain positive and upbeat. For all of us, we are motivated to keep everybody safe. With housekeeping we band together and we work as an amazing team. We are always there for each other. It has brought us a lot closer.... Covenant Health is hiring additional housekeeping staff across the province to meet increased demand due to COVID-19. Learn more about how you can help your community. Apply today: https://www.covenanthealth.ca/covidhire.

Piles are being driven into the ground at the site of the new Misericordia emergency department (ED), marking the beginning of construction. The $65-million project will benefit Albertans by enhancing the delivery of care and supporting more patients. Until the new ED is completed, the existing ED continues to operate and care for patients. The new ED will be nearly three times the size of the current one, which currently sees more than 50,000 patients in a space designed fo...r 25,000. It will have six ambulance bays (up from four), 66 treatment spaces (an increase of 40), as well as a diagnostic services area. After piling is done and foundations are poured, the next phase of construction will begin in the New Year. Patrick Dumelie, CEO for Covenant Health, thanked the government for supporting the project. The enhanced emergency department capacity will ensure we continue to provide high quality, compassionate care to our patients in a state-of-the-art environment designed to meet their needs and to support our teams to do their best work. Construction of the new ED is expected to finish in late 2022, and it will open to the public in 2023.

Killam Health Centre residents were able to enjoy their first barn dance at the facility thanks to the staff who organized this special event. Since they couldn’t bring residents to a real barn, staff made every effort to decorate the common area to transport residents back to their barn dancing days. With lights hung in the dancing area, music from the good old days, and food and drinks served in accordance with all COVID-19 safety protocols, residents and staff alike dusted off their dancing shoes and shared happy memories. Some of our residents still love to dance, so we brought the idea to life, says therapy aide Kelby Erickson. Residents really let loose and had fun! The room was full of laughter and smiles, and staff attempted to line dance. #CovenantStrong

For Dominique Labelle, a licensed practical nurse at Villa Marie, using her skills to care for residents at the bedside is what she finds most rewarding. So when the long-term care unit opened at Villa Marie in 2018, Dominique jumped at the opportunity to work with those residents. Soon after she transferred to the new unit, a resident she used to support moved into long-term care. They’ve known each other for six years and Dominique says he has become like family to her. We... have grown close, especially in the last two years. I know his routine, his likes and dislikes. I can anticipate his needs and help him out before he even needs to ask, she says. When caring for him, it feels more like taking care of my own grandparent. While Dominique spends her days administering medication, dealing with acute issues, caring for wounds and assisting the residents with their activities for daily living, it’s truly the relationships that stand out to her. Some of the residents and their families have seen Dominique through both of her pregnancies. They still ask about my kids, and I try to keep them updated and show them pictures, she says. I love getting to know the residents on a level where you can truly be yourself. You can joke with them, be honest and have fun, she says. It makes the care feel less clinical and more like home. #CovenantStrong

Molly Ellert might be one of the newer staff members at St. Mary’s Hospital in Camrose, but she’s already changing how others see the rehabilitation team. Staff were trying to come up with ways to engage more personally with their patients, even as their faces were hidden by continuous masking. For our older patients, we felt that they weren’t able to connect with us on the same level, especially when you’re trying to smile, says Molly, who started at St. Mary’s in Januar...y. It’s really hard to smile with your eyes. You can maybe squint a little bit but even then they have no idea. When she’s not working as a physiotherapist intern, Molly enjoys playing with the Bitmoji app and creating cartoon characters of herself. She suggested that their team make staff Bitmoji name tags to help put patients at ease. Each staff member came up with ideas to represent their personalities or interests. Molly’s avatars show her dressed as a shark or riding a dinosaur. One of her colleagues chose Western style images. She says the patients like to make comments and ask questions about the name tags. It allows you to have an ‘in’, in terms of them participating in rehab or them being able to open up to you. Molly notices that the name tags are also an effective icebreaker, especially for patients with dementia who might forget their therapist or feel uneasy about their appointment. It makes it a more calm and friendly situation. #CovenantStrong

It's World Kindness Day and we need kindness more than ever. Today, tomorrow and all days - know that you have the power to make a difference. Moments of gratitude, like this one, fill people's hearts.

COVID-19 has brought a renewed focus on mental health. This groundbreaking clinical trial is the first of its kind looking at treatment-resistant depression.

Lynett Getz found her calling for social work through her desire to help and support those in need. She’s been working at St. Joseph’s Home in Medicine Hat for close to three years and her passion for her career is still growing. My favourite part is building relationships with clients and being able to provide support at times when people are really vulnerable, says Lynett. It’s a really great occupation when you have a passion for social justice and being able to connect..., advocate and provide support for people is amazing. It’s such a beautiful profession in so many ways. Lynett’s work is mostly within palliative and hospice care, and the patients, residents and family members she meets often stay in her mind long after that. Sometimes you meet people who are so incredibly beautiful. They are working through their journey so well and they accept things as they are. I learn from every patient I meet. I have learnt so much about compassion, people’s resiliency, their strengths and their capacity to love. It’s incredible. While working within palliative care and hospice care can be challenging at times, Lynett credits her positivity to her co-workers and to the power of self-care. We have an amazing bunch of staff here. Everyone does the best they can to make sure that our patients are taken care of and we look out for each other, she says. And self-care is very important. I try to find the good in things and find strength in everything that we do for the people we serve. And Lynett says looking for opportunities to spread a message of positivity is important during the pandemic. We will get through this. Try to find the bright spots every day and focus on the good things in your life. #CovenantStrong

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Residents and staff at Bonnyville Health Centre paid tribute to a former resident and local veteran during this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony. George Lacquement, a tank operator during the Second World War, passed away at age 95 in July. I think about him every day, says registered nurse Michelle Mulligan, who developed a friendship with George and his wife Marge. Before COVID, Michelle even brought her dog Foster to visit George.... He left an impression on everyone here. He shouldn’t be forgotten. For everything that he sacrificed in the early parts of his life, fighting in service, how that affected his whole life, what he gave up it was all for us. And we can’t forget that. And he should be remembered. Before his health declined, George would regularly go to schools to speak at Remembrance Day ceremonies. At a Remembrance Day service this morning, Bonnyville Health Centre residents and staff recognized George’s contributions and honoured his memory. We’re so thankful that we got to share some time with him, says Michelle. And I think we’ll always be a little better for it. He taught us to be a little more thankful for what we have. Earlier this year, George shared his story, including his memories of D-Day and his struggles with PTSD: http://bit.ly/2v1MRzy. We are grateful for his service and honoured that he entrusted us with these memories.

When St. Anne’s Haven opens in spring 2022, it will not only meet the needs of seniors in the Lethbridge area but also embrace them in a homelike environment that supports their independence and dignity.

We are excited to share that construction is under way on St. Anne’s Haven in Lethbridge. Situated on almost five acres of land, this state-of-the-art facility will be home to 102 people needing supportive living and dementia care. St. Anne’s Haven is named after the patron saint of grandparents and was chosen in consultation with the Martha Sisters and members of the Lethbridge community. Anne means grace and signals blessing and acceptance. It is an important connection to a home that will bring comfort, dignity and safety to all who live under its roof. Watch the video to learn more about this new home!

When the COVID-19 pandemic meant the Diabetes Clinic at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital could no longer have in-person classes, care staff knew many pregnant mothers with gestational diabetes still needed support. Initially, clinic staff provided one-on-one training with each patient, but they couldn’t keep up with the demand, so they started offering classes on how to manage gestational diabetes on Zoom. These one-hour virtual classes are the same format as the in-person ...classes. The women have an opportunity to get to know other expectant mothers facing similar challenges, learn about their condition and ask questions. There are eight people in each class, and patients participate until they deliver their babies. We didn’t have to change much, but we had to learn how to use Zoom, says registered nurse Joyce Kutnikoff. The classes are going really well. They’re going so well in fact that the clinic is offering insulin pump optimization classes and insulin pump therapy information sessions on Zoom. Contact the clinic at 780-735-7600 for details. #CovenantStrong

For the last few years, Julie Smeed has been visiting her mom Arlene Smeed at Evanston Summit and bringing fresh flowers for the residents on a weekly basis. The deliveries fill the space with beautiful flowers and also brighten the residents days. Recently the residents wanted to do something to show Julie their appreciation for the part shes been playing in their lives. We had seen so many great collages appreciating teachers and frontline workers so we wanted to do th...e same for Julie to make her feel extra special and appreciated for everything she does, says Victoria Slany, activity and volunteer coordinator at the Covenant Living site in Calgary. The residents loved the idea, so with their flowers, they took photos and put them together in a collage. Arlene held her daughters name in her photo. The collage was then presented to Julie on a canvas. It was a special moment, says Victoria. #CovenantStrong

Dr. Deanne Watrich says the emergency department team in the Misericordia hospital has adapted well during the pandemic. Its an amazing place to work and a really strong team, says Deanne. Everybody worked together seamlessly as we transitioned through all the changes. During the full facility outbreak, several staff were redeployed to other roles or other sites that needed help, while Deanne and the other physicians stayed at the Misericordia. Their experiences have sha...rpened the teams infection control practices and grown their camaraderie. Throughout this entire thing, all of the staff in the entire department have performed so professionally and at a level that is quite amazing. I love my job. Its what I do. I feel honoured to be in patients lives the way I am, whether its during a pandemic or not. #CovenantStrong

Christine Painter was just settling into a new job at St. Marys Health Care Centre in Trochu when the pandemic started. Christine was hired as a recreation therapy aide in March to cover a temporary leave. I think I was here a week, two weeks maybe, and then we were thrown into COVID, says Christine.... Fortunately, Christine had decades of experience at St. Marys to help her adjust quickly. She had worked there as a cook for 40 years, before retiring and returning in a casual role. I knew all the people, I knew the facility, I had a fair idea how things were done, says Christine. Through her recreation therapy role, Christine developed a deeper appreciation for how hard nursing staff work. And she enjoyed getting to spend more time with the residents. I absolutely love it. Theyre so wonderful, says Christine. Ive been taking people out gardening, we have some container gardens, and they just love it. Seeing them smile is probably the best part of the whole thing because its been hard for them. The recreation team adapted other popular activities like floor curling, which involves pushing a rock with ball bearings on the bottom across the floor toward a mat with curling rings on it. By reducing the number of participants in each game, theyve been able to continue playing. Bingos big, they love it. The outdoor walks, taking them upstairs to play curling, says Christine. The curling is the best for them. They love it. And the barbecues. We started doing barbecues, and its just wonderful. And theyre all so appreciative. #CovenantStrong

Look who was in the neighbourhood and dropped by St. Marys Health Care Centre in Trochu! Thank you Health Minister Tyler Shandro, Speaker of the House Nathan Cooper and senior operating officer for rural services Sheli Murphy for stopping by! Youre welcome any time!

In a hospital setting, Code Orange is the emergency code for a mass casualty incident such as a tornado, explosion or significant motor vehicle accident. It alerts staff to prepare for the arrival of a large number of patients. When a tour bus crashed along the Columbia Icefield this summer, EMS and staff at Banff Mineral Springs Hospital activated a Code Orange. The response was the result of yearly exercises to prepare for incidents like that. Everybodys hands were on dec...k and ready to go. Read more about the Code Orange response and the preparation involved on The Vital Beat: https://bit.ly/3iQRgJH. #CovenantStrong

Its Therapy Assistant Week and St. Josephs Auxiliary Hospital staff are recognizing Marika Egete, occupational therapy assistant, and Joy David, physical therapy assistant. Both have been described as the rock stars on their teams because of their dedication to residents. Joy and Marika are a critical part of resident-centered care at this Edmonton hospital. Known for her gentleness and luminous smile, Joy says one of the best parts of her work is hearing residents storie...s. I am inspired to do my work every day because I know even the smallest of deeds could make a big difference in a residents day. The thing I love most about being a therapy assistant are the life stories that my residents tell me when we go for walks. Their stories touch my heart every single time. And Marika, who has a positive and giving nature, starts her day with a big good morning to everyone. The residents call us the motivational therapy. I love to motivate residents to get up and walk to the dining room for a good cup of coffee, or maybe to take a step or two for fresh air on the balcony and see the sunshine, or listen to a funny story. #CovenantStrong

Belinda, a Grade 6 student, sent a beautiful letter to our Grey Nuns team to share that she and her family and friends are doing their part to keep everyone safe and healthy. Lets all do our part to stop the spread of COVID. Our Grey Nuns team apppreciates this wonderful appreciation letter. Thank you, Belinda, for writing! You made our day! #CovenantStrong

Dillon Hargreaves has been working as an administrative assistant at St. Michaels Health Centre in Lethbridge for the past four years. She enjoys the fast-paced days and working with multiple teams across the site and a favourite aspect of her job is knowing that her work makes a difference in peoples lives. I view my role as not only a career, its a vocation. It really is about how we can use our skills in order to benefit other people, says Dillon. I think our staff ...here at St. Michaels understand that what makes us different and unique is our compassion and collaboration and being able to work with honesty and integrity every day. I think its really helped to make us in tune with our residents and with each other. Over the past months, the pandemic has brought many changes to Dillons work and she is as motivated as ever to do her job. I am honoured to be in a position where I can make a difference and do something useful in the middle of a global crisis. There is so much going on and being able to make a difference is rewarding, she says. Throughout the pandemic, Dillon has stressed the need for wellness in each of our lives. She is also an advocate for challenging her friends, family and colleagues to make themselves a priority each day. The challenge I have for people is to start using the wellness resources that are available and having conversations with others, because thats how we can turn post-traumatic stress into post-traumatic growth, and come out of this experience stronger and better equipped to deal with the future challenges that we have. #CovenantStrong

Candice Keddie, interim senior director of operations at the Misericordia Community Hospital, says shes grateful every day for how the team is caring for patients and supporting each other. People want to be here and they recognize that this is what they signed up to do. I find that really inspiring," says Candice, who oversees medicine, emergency, respiratory therapy, cardiac sciences and critical care. COVID offers us the opportunity to show what we really can do and all...ows us to demonstrate creative, innovative approaches and solutions to real issues. During the full facility outbreak, several members of the emergency department team were redeployed to other positions at the Misericordia or to other sites that were in need. I feel immensely blessed and very proud of the way our staff responded to the greater need and were willing to see the bigger picture, says Candice. Now its time to apply what we learned and scale and spread and share our learnings so that other sites can apply the things that we did to either prevent or manage an outbreak. #CovenantStrong

After eight years as a volunteer at St. Marys Health Care Centre in Trochu, Valerie McArthur missed being able to see the residents during the pandemic. I couldnt see the residents by volunteering anymore, so I thought, Why not get a job here? Then I can see them. So when Valerie saw a housekeeping position posted at St. Marys, she applied. She enjoys being able to interact with residents again, this time in a new role.... They have so much wisdom. And its fun to get a smile on their face and brighten their day a little bit, says Valerie. As long as they need me, Ill stay. #CovenantStrong

My whole focus in life is supporting people to live their best lives, including patients and healthcare communities, says. Dr. Amanda Brisebois, medical director at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital and associate chief medical officer for Covenant Health. My role really considers the people and teams in all aspects of patient care throughout the hospital and looks at them through the physicians perspective. The pandemic is a time of change and uncertainty for many. Workin...g collaboratively with different groups is valuable, she says. The Grey Nuns Hospital doesnt exist in isolation; were part of the Edmonton zone. Im very proud of how weve all come together in the zone. During COVID, the medical directors in all of the hospitals in Edmonton are having regular meetings, and theyll continue after the pandemic. Weve become a much tighter knit community of providers. I think thats awesome! There will be learnings from the pandemic, and they will help us create better systems for ourselves and our patients. I believe patients will come out on top at the end of the day. Amandas message to all is a reminder that we are in this together and we need to support each other. You are not alone. Well come out stronger on the other side. #CovenantStrong

The recently completed Killam Campus of Caring means seniors can stay in the same facility, often in the same room, as their care needs change. The visionary model of care includes suites specifically designed for couples and bariatric residents. The 50-suite, long-term care campus also includes multiple dining rooms, living rooms, hairdressing suite, chapel and clinical space. The Campus of Caring was a collaboration between residents, families, staff, physicians and others.

Fact or myth? There are many misconceptions about aging. Dr. Jasneet Parmar and Dr. Jennifer Stickney-Lee correct more aging stereotypes on The Vital Beat: https://bit.ly/3bVOv7k.

We all have a role in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Members of the administrative team at Grey Nuns Community Hospital share their motivation for wearing a mask. I wear a mask because its important to keep myself and others safe! -Jessica Hedquist, administrative assistant I wear a mask so the kids can go back to school. -Jill Gordeyko, administrative assistant... I wear a mask to keep others safe, keep my family safe and to set an example. -Sandra Dunning, executive assistant Let us know what inspires you to wear your mask in the comments below. #CovenantStrong

We are excited to welcome residents to their new home this week at the Campus of Caring in Killam. This 50-suite, multi-level care facility means people can stay in the same place, often in their same private room, as their care needs change. The campus is home to people requiring different levels of care, including couples, which means even if only one spouse needs care they can remain together. We know that people in rural communities feel a strong connection to the area w...here they have often lived for decades. This flexible, visionary model allows them to stay connected to family, friends and their community. We collaborated with residents, families, physicians, staff, volunteers, Alberta Health Services, the Alberta government and others to create this bold, visionary model. We have a growing senior population and we know there is much work to do. Covenant will be here to innovate, transform and answer the call to serve.

The flower garden at St. Teresa Place has flourished all summer, thanks to resident Gerald Farrell. Hes found it to be a rewarding pastime when many other activities are restricted. Ive enjoyed it a lot, especially because of COVID, says Gerald. I get out there every day unless its pouring rain. Under Geralds care, the garden has added colour and brought joy to residents and staff at this Covenant Care facility in Calgary. But its also had to overcome multiple threat...s, from hungry rabbits to destructive hail. Thats how it started. The rabbits would come eat the flowers as fast they could grow. So we got some rabbit repellant and Id go out there every morning and put the rabbit repellant on. Gerald grew up on a farm and one of his first jobs was working at a Calgary greenhouse at the age of 15. Years later, those skills are still paying off. I go out every day, take care of it, keep it all weeded out and watered. In June many plants were damaged by a large hailstorm. It just about wiped out everything. So thats when I took a lot of the surviving plants and spread them out so all the planters were full. Gerald is hoping the frost holds off for a few more weeks. And hes already looking forward to helping with the garden again next year. #CovenantStrong

A collection of colourful posters adorn the outdoor visitation space at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre, and its bringing some cheer to residents and their families. The person behind these inspirational pieces is Carole Widmer, a journeyman painter and member of the facilities maintenance and engineering team at the Edmonton General. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carole has found comfort reading about some of the things her Covenant colleagues have been doing ...to lift the spirits of others. It cheers me up and gives me hope to see how we all come together. Its the actions of others that inspired her to paint the posters for the residents. Carole has been working at the Edmonton General for the past seven years and feels a strong connection to the residents and her colleagues. Im so grateful to be part of the Covenant Health family! she says. The outdoor visitation space where she hung the posters is a fenced off area used by residents when visiting with their loved ones. When not at work bringing cheer to the residents, Carole shares her love of art with her three-year-old son at home. Every morning when I go to work and he goes to a day home, I do drawings for him. I leave them on the counter with his breakfast to wish him a good day and tell him that I love him. #CovenantStrong

Tyler didnt choose to die. He just didnt know how to stay any longer. Ann Chisletts son Tyler died by suicide at the age of 20. After Tylers death, Ann became an advocate for mental health. And the Bonnyville Health Foundation launched the Tyler Chislett Memorial Fund, which supports mental health education for healthcare workers. Tyler would hate that the fund is named after him, says Ann with a smile. I like it because using his name on it makes it more personal an...d more real to people. Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Read more about the Chisletts story on The Vital Beat: https://bit.ly/2DLKEgs. #CovenantStrong

The Covenant Health Palliative Institute will receive $5 million in funding to increase access to palliative and end-of-life services and promote advance care planning. The YourAlberta (Government of Alberta) funding will support two projects. One will help Albertans navigate their critical health, legal and personal affairs through a comprehensive approach to advance care planning. The other will explore the importance of looking ahead and supporting necessary conversations ...-- at the dinner table, in our communities and with our health care teams. Advanced care planning helps Albertans be prepared to face this time of their lives with clarity about what is important to them and alleviates the burden on everyone involved so that family and care teams can work seamlessly together with confidence, says Dr. Konrad Fassbender, scientific director, Covenant Health Palliative Institute.

Screeners at all healthcare sites play an important role in keeping patients, residents and staff safe. Since visitor guidelines for hospitals changed in early August, the Grey Nuns Community Hospital team has been screening over 7,000 visitors and 2,500 staff coming through its front doors each week. The most interesting thing about being a screener is that every situation is different, and we have to be on our toes to deal with any situation that comes up, says Christina ...Scoble, a project coordinator who oversees the screeners. Its a hard job, but its rewarding. We know that following these guidelines is helping keep everyone in our building safe. Screening teams are made up of a security guard, a volunteer, a porter and a healthcare worker. Screeners ask COVID-19 questions, get all visitors to clean their hands and ensure all visitors are wearing a mask while in the hospital. They also help visitors get where they need to go. #CovenantStrong

Eldas Garden at Marthas House in Lethbridge is a beautiful getaway for residents. I was so happy to discover the beautiful garden here. And even more so when I could tend to it, enjoying its splendour, says Mary Leister, a resident at the Covenant Living facility. The garden was professionally landscaped in 2006, shortly after Martha's House opened, and over the years residents moving into the facility have added their favourite perennials and shrubs from their homes. T...hose who are able still plant annuals and tend the garden every year, while many others take advantage of its beauty. "They really enjoy sitting out there and chatting, and that's where we're doing our outdoor family visits," says Karen McKinstry, administrative assistant. #CovenantStrong

Students are settling in at brand new Soraya Hafez School, named after Edmontons first public school teacher in the Arabic immersion program.

Happy Labour Day! Thank you for your commitment and dedication. We are stronger together.

Its wonderful to mark special celebrations, especially in difficult times. The staff at Evanston Summit reached out to Pat Kelly, Member of Parliament for Calgary Rocky Ridge about the governments program to mark milestone birthdays and anniversaries so residents celebrating special dates could be honoured. Residents were thrilled to be recognized with special certificates and to have a chance to reminisce about their lives. Ed and Elsie, for example, have been married for 59 years. They told the story of their double wedding, which they shared with Elsies brother, who married her good friend! Read more: https://bit.ly/3hZ5at2. #CovenantStrong

A group of doctors pooled their donations to the Covenant Foundation to buy a specialized bed for hospice patients. #CovenantStrong

I wear a mask to protect those I care for. Staff at St. Teresa Place share their reasons for wearing a mask. What motivates you? Let us know in the comments below. #MyMaskProtects #CovenantStrong

After several months away due to COVID-19, volunteers have been returning to hospitals since mid-June. Many of them have new roles such as helping screen visitors at the front door.

Bubbles bring smiles to the young of heart. If you can use your hands or put the bubble wand under your arm so I can pull your wheelchair, you can make bubbles, says Margaret Ushko, a recreation assistant at St. Josephs Auxiliary Hospital. And residents love it. Margaret taught her colleagues to make big bubbles the bigger the better because people are fascinated by less common, large versions. I love bubbles, and have been making them most of my life, says Margaret.... And its important to remember that these fun, playful moments are wonderful for all ages, says Margaret. When you grow up you dont have to stop having fun, she says. Its important to enjoy life and engage in it. Thats the whole point of recreation not to fill time, but to engage in life and give purpose. #CovenantStrong

As a registered nurse, Lukas Kubke is focused on safety. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak at the Misericordia, he worked as a charge nurse, ensuring the ongoing safety of patients on the Internal Medicine unit at the Misericordia Community Hospital. His work during the outbreak was focused on ensuring staff had the necessary resources to keep patients and themselves safe. Outbreak safety protocols are comprehensive. Lukas supported the MCH teams to make sure they were using pe...rsonal protective equipment (PPE) properly and following all protocols designed to keep everyone safe. The pandemic has been challenging for all frontline healthcare workers, but Lukas notes caring for people is why he became a nurse. When COVID-19 first arrived, it was rather interesting to be on the front lines and be involved with caring for and testing some of the first COVID-19 cases in Alberta, he says. I was also able to participate in a research study with one our infectious disease physicians. He adds that mitigating the outbreak has helped to strengthen relationships on the team. We have all come together to help each other in these unusual times. #CovenantStrong

When recreation therapy aide Christine Simpson arrives for work at Chateau Vitaline, she already has a smile on her face. I thrive off connecting with other people so I love coming to work and connecting with our residents and my co-workers, Christine says. My job really motivates me and it gives me so much energy. It makes me happy. Christine organizes daily programming such as exercises, games, crafts and baking, all popular activities with residents at the Covenant Ca...re site in Beaumont. Knowing I can come in and give the residents something to look forward to, or something to laugh about, is great, Christine says. Christine has also been facilitating family visits during the pandemic, a role she feels honoured to support. I love helping to keep people connected with their families. We do outdoor visits, FaceTime, Skype calls and now we are facilitating inside visits. Its super important for residents to be connected with their families, and getting to see those moments is very special, she says. When Christine isnt busy running activities, she makes time to do one-on-one visits with each resident. I love that Chateau Vitaline is a smaller site because I have been able to get to know the residents very well, especially through my one-on-one visits. I have been able to form relationships and get to know people and find out what they like and dont like. The little moments make a big difference. #CovenantStrong

Residents at St. Therese Villa had some unusual guests stop by for an outdoor visit. The visitors included a horse, a pony, a dog and three bunnies from Snow Ridge Stables & Arena. The residents were in a better frame of mind and more relaxed during and after the visit, says Christey-Ann Veldman, activity and volunteer supervisor at this continuing care facility in Lethbridge. One resident was very sleepy and confused to start with, and after she held a bunny, her eyes wer...e clear, bright and happy. Christey-Ann explains that animals are very therapeutic to the residents, especially residents with dementia. Animals have been known to have a calming and therapeutic effect on most people. The visits often change the mood and behaviour of our dementia residents. Most are more alert, happier and have positive energy after animals visit. The Snow Ridge Stables team is already planning a second visit to St. Therese Villa in September. #CovenantStrong

Registered nurse Luisita Quintana is honest about the anxiety she felt when their area was designated the COVID-19 unit at the Misericordia Community Hospital. I have to admit that I was apprehensive then, says Luisita. Entering a restricted area was uneasy for me. I was frightened of getting infected and concerned of transmitting the virus to others, especially when you know there are no specific vaccines or medicines for COVID-19. Working on the COVID-19 unit meant enha...nced safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols when caring for patients. It also meant taking on additional roles like food service, transporting patients and additional cleaning, aspects of patient care normally done by other staff. To ensure there were no asymptomatic cases, Luisita and her colleagues were tested every five days. Having to re-swab frequently is very uncomfortable, but essential, she says, adding that wearing PPE for eight-hour shifts is exhausting and uncomfortable, but essential. She thanks the Misericordia team for helping the COVID-19 unit staff get through the outbreak and for standing strong with us. That included physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, program managers, a chaplain, and especially, unit manager Ruan Weisgerber. Everyones continued support has been a huge positive impact to contain this outbreak, says Luisita. #CovenantStrong

Staff members at St. Josephs Auxiliary Hospital explain their motivation for wearing a mask. Who are you wearing your mask for? Let us know in the comments. #MyMaskProtects #CovenantStrong

When COVID happened, Lorelei Sawchuk, education lead and nurse practitioner with the Palliative Institute, was redeployed to the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre, where shes been caring for residents and patients Its been very challenging, but at the same time very stimulating, because of the ongoing learning outside of my palliative care consultant practice, says Lorelei. "I have a deeper respect and appreciation for everything that everyone does when caring for... residents and their families in continuing care. Her experience at the Palliative Institute before COVID made her a natural fit to support the teams at the Edmonton General, particularly the hospice unit as well as other units. Nurse practitioners can diagnose, order and interpret tests and prescribe medication and treatment. Part of my role was to be physically present to do assessments and to work with and support the staff, says Lorelei. Before, as a consultant, I was not the primary health practitioner, but here in this role I am while working collaboratively with the responsible physician. For Lorelei, its not about where she works, but rather how shes serving. I went into healthcare wanting to be able to support and help others in need. COVID created a totally different level of need. When our teams needed help, we helped. #CovenantStrong

Ravneet Kaur, a recreational therapy supervisor at Centre de Santé Saint-Thomas, didnt know how much her work would change when the pandemic hit. Since March, she and her team have transitioned from organizing group activities to providing one-on-one programming for 141 residents in their rooms. Staff at the Edmonton continuing care centre see 10 to 15 residents a day to ensure each resident gets at least two one-on-one sessions per week. "We want to make sure they get the ...care they need in the five basic domains physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual, says Ravneet. And Ravneet tries to ensure the Covenant Care residents can continue to enjoy their favourite activities. If someone loves crossword puzzles, she provides puzzle books, and if someone else likes doing art projects, she makes sure they have supplies in their room. Ravneets role also now includes coordinating visits between residents and their loved ones according to visitation rules. At the beginning of the pandemic, when only virtual visits were allowed, she reached out to all 141 families to offer video chats. When the centre opened for outdoor visitation, she arranged courtyard visits. Now she's preparing for new rules that allow indoor visits. Caring for others and finding ways to meet their needs is important to Ravneet. It means Im doing something good for my residents. #CovenantStrong

For Tracey Ewasiuk, serving patients at the Misericordia Community Hospitals registration desk is more than completing paperwork and directing patients and visitors to the right place. From encouraging patients before they undergo cancer surgery to calming frightened mothers in labour, registration desk staff strive to comfort, reassure and support those they serve. We work face-to-face with the public every day, and continue to do so through the pandemic. As the first poin...t of contact people see when they come to the hospital, we try to make them feel better in whatever theyre going through. Its important to reassure them and make it a positive experience. We register patients and give them paperwork anyone can do that. But when someone comes in terrified and they come to us, we can make them forget about that. We do what we can, even if its just to make them laugh or smile. Thats the best and that makes my day. Its that instinct in knowing when someone needs a little extra care, and we always want people to walk away feeling positive or smiling. #CovenantStrong See more