Health Sciences Association of British Columbia
180 East Columbia Street V3L 0G7 New Westminster, BC, Canada

April 14 is Pathologists' Assistants Day! If you're not familiar with this career, here's a CSMLS explainer about working as a Pathologists' Assistant: https://altcareers.csmls.org/caree/pathologists-assistants/ #PathassistDay

April 11-17 is Medical Laboratory Week! Let’s hear it for the health care professionals who work behind the scenes to help diagnose everything from cancer to diabetes to COVID-19. #TakeACloserLook at all they do: https://www.indigolabcoat.ca/ If you're an MLT, CSMLS has a great website full of ways you can celebrate this week: https://labweek.csmls.org/

Its Dental Hygienist Week, which is a great time to thank all HSA members who work as dental hygiene professionals! If you know a child aged 5-13, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association is holding a colouring contest, and the entry deadline is May 1: https://bit.ly/3fvgvTa

On this #TransDayOfVisibility, here's some information on how to be a better ally to the trans, non-binary, and gender diverse folks in your life. We also want to shout out the HSA members who work as health navigators at Trans Care BC, connecting people around our province to gender-affirming care and support

Scholarship Alert NUPGE, our national union, have just announced a new $2,500 Scholarship for Black Students. This means that they now award 8 scholarships that HSA members and their families can apply for. To learn about the scholarships and how to apply, visit https://scholarships.nupge.ca/; the application deadline is July 5, 2021.

The Providence Health Care Pharmacy team created this quiz as part of their Pharmacy Appreciation Month celebration. See if you can beat the non-pharmacist we got to volunteer to take the quiz (she got 5 out of 8)!

On February 20, Kris Lally, HSA member and Treasurer of the Fraser Valley Labour Council, will be walking in the Coldest Night of the Year - Canada's National Walk for Homelessness, to raise money for people and families experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger in her community. She’ll be raising money for the Chilliwack Ann Davis Transition Society which provides education, prevention, and support services to those affected by abuse or violence. If you’re able, please consider donating: http://walk.w-ith.me/Kris

HSA's staff also support Indian farmers -- here's a photo taken by staff from our CREAMO department. Join us: send a letter today to tell your representatives that you want our federal government to stand in solidarity with Indian farmers fighting for their livelihoods: www.hsabc.org/SupportFarmers #BCLabour4Farmers #StandWithFarmers #nofarmersnofood

February is Recreation Therapy Month! Recreation Therapists are highly trained professionals who use leisure activities to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for their clients, and we're proud that many Recreation Therapists are HSA members

Today we're sending Valentine's s to those who look after our hearts -- February 14th is Cardiology Technologist Day!

HSA stands in solidarity with India's farmers and agricultural workers as they continue to protest unjust agricultural reforms. The Farmers Protest is now the largest protest ever seen, with over 250 million people standing up for their rights against the Indian government's water cannons and tear gas. Pictured here are members of the union’s board of directors and senior staff participating in an international virtual show of solidarity. Send a letter today to tell your representatives know that you want our federal government to stand in solidarity with Indian farmers fighting for their livelihoods: www.hsabc.org/SupportFarmers #BCLabour4Farmers #StandWithFarmers #nofarmersnofood

As we celebrate Lunar New Year, let's keep bending the curve #StayHomeSaveLives

Various public health measures and policies have been implemented since January 2020 to control the spread of COVID-19 and prevent further global impact of the ...pandemic. Researchers at the VEC, in collaboration with researchers and health care providers across Canada, China and Bangladesh would like to understand the impact of these policies on individuals and communities. We will be interviewing policy makers, health care providers, people who live in communal settings such as shelters, social service providers, and members of the media, to seek the experiences, perspectives, and views of a range of people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures. This study is being done across Canada in British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia, as well as in China and Bangladesh. The main purpose of this study is to speak with many different people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, to learn about their experiences and their opinions on public health measures/rules, and to understand how these measures/rules affect individuals and communities. We are searching for individuals working in healthcare to participate in this part of the study where we are interviewing different people to learn how COVID-19 public health measures/rules have impacted them. Examples of public health measures are: Cancelling of health care services like doctor visits Closing workplaces and schools People having to keep 6 feet from each other The interview and related paperwork will take 45-60 minutes to complete. It can be completed by telephone, on a web-based video conferencing platform (e.g., Zoom), or in-person if social distancing can be safely maintained. For more information please give us a call at (604) 875 2187 or by email at [email protected].

Stay home. Save lives. Let’s support the whole team of healthcare and social service professionals as we flatten the curve, again!

CTV News met with one of our very own BCSRT board members Tina Hsu to get a story on respiratory therapist during the second wave of this pandemic. If you miss...ed it you can watch it here: https://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video Happy RT Week everyone !

In Alberta, front-line hospital workers who are members of AUPE - Alberta Union of Provincial Employees walked off the job earlier this week in response to news that Alberta Health Services would be cutting 11,000 jobs. HSA has sent a letter of solidarity to AUPE expressing our support for their fight against government cuts and health care privatization. Read the letter here: https://hsabc.org/news/solidarity-aupe

In February and July of 2020, staff at the Canadian Mental Health Association - Victoria Branch, joined HSA. Zayn Wiwchar writes about the gains workers have seen at their workplace since organizing to unionize. During turbulent times, it is so great to read good news stories! Thanks Zayn!

Congratulations to Christine Ambrose, the winner of HSA's 2020 David Bland award. This award recognizes HSA members who have championed a local occupational health and safety issue, with their leadership making a difference in the lives of their colleagues. Christine's dedication to occupational health and safety work has improved health and safety conditions for not only her colleagues but also the children they serve. Congratulations, Christine!

Mark your calendar for November 24 - and join the BC Health Coalition and the Council of Canadians for this important discussion on the future of senior's care.

We’re excited to kick off our 49th Annual Convention and our first virtual convention this morning #HSABC2020

October is Occupational Therapy month and today is World Occupational Therapy Day, so we're recognizing HSA's Occupational Therapists! These highly trained professionals help people of all ages participate in the things that are important to them.

Throughout the pandemic, it's been a challenge tackle parenting in the midst of new schedules, new safety protocols, and ever evolving access to schools and other supports. We spoke to HSA members and parents Fahrin Schmidt, a child behaviour worker and Assistant Chief Steward at Foundry North Shore and Arsalan Butt, a steward and health information management administrator at Children and Women’s, to learn more about parenting in the age of COVID-19.

We’re getting excited for our 49th annual convention next week! Here’s a sneak peek from our rehearsal that shows some of the technology we’re using to create this year’s virtual convention.

Sending solidarity to workers in Alberta who are fighting back against government cutbacks and privatization of health services. From the article: On Monday, the Health Sciences Association of Alberta expressed support for the strike. The HSAA represents 27,000 health-care workers across the province.... President Mike Parker said HSAA members will not do the work of those on the picket lines. "Health-care workers have been working tirelessly to keep Albertans safe and they have been rewarded with threats to their jobs by a government that is hell-bent on ripping apart our public healthcare system," Parker said in a statement.

This week is Sleep Technologist Week, so we're recognizing HSA's Polysomnographic Technologists. These professionals perform sleep studies and help patients with sleep disorders.

Respiratory Therapy week is this week, so this is a Respiratory Therapist appreciation post. RTs are skilled professionals who breathe life into health care!

Only one day until Election Day! You can cast your vote (or drop off your mail-in ballot) on Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm pacific time. Read HSA President Val Avery's thoughts on the election here: https://www.hsabc.org//presidents-message-vote-public-serv Find out where to vote or return your mail ballot: https://wheretovote.elections.bc.ca/

Are you an HSA member who identifies as Indigenous? Join the BC Federation of Labour for its first ever Indigenous Workers Gathering. The gathering, on October 28, will be facilitated by renowned Indigenous Planning Expert Elaine Alec and will feature deep connection, reconciliation planning, and goal setting. Please contact Maria Peralta by email at [email protected] to register.

Meet your 2020 Member Engagement Team: Edith MacHattie Edith is an occupational therapist who works at a child development centre in Surrey with school-aged children and their families. Edith is the elected co-chair of the BC Health Coalition. Edith is passionate about improving public services, worker power, and fighting for justice. She and her wife spend their time running after their two small kids.

In her eloquent article appearing in this fall's issue of The Report magazine, HSA member Easter Tocol speaks to how she applies anti-racism to her work as a social worker, and why anti-racist practice is important. "We are immersed with so many wonderful cultures and different perspectives on what life and living means. These communities need us to practice anti-racism more than ever. When they need our services, they need us to understand, listen, and be open to how their life journeys and past experiences play a direct role in their health status."

In her President's message, HSA President Val Avery encourages us to vote for a party with a plan to address the cracks in public services exposed by the pandemic. We are three days away from Election Day. If you haven't voted yet, make a plan to vote!

If you haven't returned your mail-in ballot, it's time to drop it off! Many advance voting locations are open from 8 am to 8 pm today -- find your nearest location at https://wheretovote.elections.bc.ca/ Here's more information from Elections BC: https://elections.bc.ca//how-to-return-your-vote-by-mail-/

Meet your 2020 Member Engagement Team: Kane Tse Kane is an Assistant Bioinformatic Coordinator at the Genome Sciences Centre, and has been part of the Steward team at BC Cancer Vancouver for 6 years. He believes the strength of the union comes from listening to and empowering its members. He enjoys photography, running and hiking.