Miriam Stobbe Reimer, Spiritual Care Associate, Spiritual Health Services

Miriam joined the MHC Family in fall of 2019, when she started her student practicum with the Spiritual Health Services team. In January 2020, Miriam stepped in to help cover a leave. She “helped wherever needed,” working with residents at Misericordia Place (MP) as well as clients in transitional care units.

Miriam provided extra pandemic support at MHC until the end of this summer, completed her practicum at St. Boniface Hospital in fall and worked at Concordia Hospital in fall/winter.

“I’m glad to be back at Misericordia. I already knew most of the residents at MP, so it feels like I’m right at home!” said Miriam cheerfully.

As of February, Miriam is now a full-time, permanent member of the extended MP team. We are grateful to have her as part of the team, especially now, during what can be a challenging time, especially for those in long-term care. Spiritual health – perhaps, now more than ever – is important for overall wellbeing.

“When people hear spiritual health, the first thing most people think of is religion. Religion is a piece of it, but spiritual health is anything that helps bring meaning to one’s life and helps build a sense of connection.”

Miriam’s role is to work with residents to help nurture a sense of purpose and joy. Sometimes this is simply sitting down one-on-one, sharing stories and favourite memories.

“My primary focus is one-on-ones with residents. I think nurturing the spirit is equally important for both residents and staff.”

Throughout the course of the pandemic, Miriam notes that the most important lesson she’s learned is “the essential need for community.”

“MHC does well at building a sense of community. I know that I can lean on my coworkers and I’m here for when they need some extra help, too.”

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: covid19manitoba.ca

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From the operating room to client care: helping halt the spread of COVID-19 and protecting those who are most vulnerable

During the first wave of the pandemic, members of the operating room (OR) team were reassigned to other program areas at Misericordia, including Colleen Kunderman, registered nurse (RN), who spent two months answering calls on the Health Links – Info Santé COVID-19 line.

“During the second wave, I assumed I might be redeployed to another site,” said Colleen over the phone after working the night shift on Cornish 6, a transitional care unit at MHC. “It was nice to stay on-site at MHC – it’s familiar.”

Yvonne Mendoza, RN, is an OR team member who in mid-November, like Colleen, was reassigned to transitional care.

“At first I was scared. I thought the change would be overwhelming,” said Yvonne candidly. She continued: “But I remembered that I would bloom where I was planted, because I was there for a reason.”

Colleen and Yvonne both spent some time over at Misericordia Place, but primarily worked on Cornish 6 (C6) and Cornish 5 (C5) transitional care units, respectively, for the past two months.

With their reassignment came big changes both professionally and personally. Both RNs were accustomed to working eight-hour shifts, Monday to Friday, as well as being on call, and had to adjust to working 12-hour shifts, days, evenings as well as sometimes working seven days on. However, the biggest changes came with the new roles themselves.

“In the OR, my interactions with patients were limited to usually five minutes or less. On C6, it’s continual patient care, so my duties included: assessment and taking vitals, administering meds, assisting with feeding and transfers, helping clients FaceTime their families, really everything but admin,” said Colleen.

Yvonne, who was reassigned to entrance screening during the first wave of the pandemic, expressed that in moving from the OR to C5, the systems and processes are different, incomparable.

“At the end of the day, it was very satisfying working on C5. I learned so many new things with the help of the C5 team – they’re amazing and very supportive,” said Yvonne.

With visitation restrictions in place in order to protect clients and help halt the spread of COVID-19, health-care providers are important sources of support and meaningful interaction for clients and residents.

“We all have had our difficult moments during COVID. But nothing compares to the experience that some clients have had. They’ve lost spouses and couldn’t attend funerals. They haven’t seen family members in person for months on end. Throughout my experience on C6, it made me see that there was a real need and purpose for me – and my colleagues – in being reassigned.”

Colleen and Yvonne have now returned to their usual roles in the OR. To both of these health-care heroes and their colleagues, thank you for helping where needed most at MHC.

From the MHC Family to all reassigned and redeployed MHC staff: we are grateful for your dedication and service to clients, residents and patients. Thank you for living our Mission.

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: covid19manitoba.ca

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From sleep studies to resident care: an invaluable contribution to Misericordia Place

Throughout the pandemic, health-care programs and services in the province have been temporarily suspended to help flatten the curve. One of many areas at MHC that has been impacted is the Sleep Disorder Centre. The SDC is a provincial program unique to MHC, helping more than 10,000 Manitobans sleep better every year.

In mid-November, select services were put on pause, including outpatient sleep studies. With 90 per cent of sleep studies temporarily suspended in order to ensure safe patient care, SDC staff were redeployed to other areas on-site at MHC. Two of the 16 redeployed SDC team members are Kathy Gjema (far left) and Seng Yi (far right), both polysomnographers, or informally known as “sleep techs.”

Kathy and Seng have been working alongside the extended Misericordia Place team for the last two months, on MP2 and MP3, respectively.

Change is never easy, especially when it means going into a new, unfamiliar role. Both Kathy and Seng have taken the change in stride. And like their fellow SDC colleagues, they were also redeployed previously this spring to help field COVID-19 screening calls at Health Links – Info Santé.

“I don’t like too much change, but this has been an important change. To be effective and helpful, you have to adapt,” said Seng, who currently works primarily night shifts at Misericordia Place.

While the average night shift at MP looks quite different than at the Sleep Disorder Centre, there are parallels between the two.

“Some of the residents have trouble sleeping and they’re up during the night. I try to help them however I can, by sitting and talking with them or bringing them some ice cream.” said Seng.

Sleep tech Kathy says her normal shift at the SDC involves monitoring patients while they sleep for respiratory issues. While monitoring patients, she documents findings for a physician, who’ll then determine the mode of therapy required.

Now at MP, Kathy’s role includes, but isn’t limited to, assisting with duties such as sanitizing high-touch surfaces, stocking linen and supply carts as well as helping transport residents.

“At our MP orientation, once I saw how everything and everyone worked together, I was really happy to be there,” said Kathy.

Both Kathy and Seng expressed being proud to assist the health-care aides, nurses and MP team any way they could. Together, the MP team with the help of SDC staff, continue to provide quality, compassionate care to residents.

“I’ve enjoyed spending time with the residents and getting to know them,” said Kathy.

As directives change and suspended health-care programs start running again, Kathy and Seng will head back to the Sleep Disorder Centre. They, along with their SDC colleagues, have been an invaluable asset to the MP team.

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: covid19manitoba.ca

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