Highlights of the Moose Jaw Health Foundation’s (MJHF) 2022 Health-care Celebration included an outline of what donor money had provided for the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital and the presentation of three Health-care Philanthropy Awards.
The event is held annually as a way to say thank you to MJHF donors and to provide an update on the equipment that donor money paid for. The event took place May 25 at the Moose Jaw Heritage Inn.
Kelly McElree, executive director of the MJHF, opened the celebration by acknowledging the numerous dignitaries present for the occasion.
Tim McLeod, MLA for Moose Jaw North, and Greg Lawrence, MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow, were present along with Moose Jaw Mayor Clive Tolley.
Dr. Saqib Shahab, Chief Medical Health Officer for Saskatchewan, was the highest profile guest in attendance. Dr. Shahab received extended applause upon being introduced.
Also present representing the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) were Derek Miller, SHA interim Chief Operating Officer; Kim McKechney, SHA vice-president of Community Engagement & Communications; Brenda Schwan, interim vice-president of Integrated Rural Health; Dr. Johann Roodt, interim physician executive for Integrated Rural Health.
Lifeline Canada, a MJHF partner for 14 years, sponsored the meal again this year.
Ryan Hrechka, board chair of the MJHF, gave remarks on the equipment that has been an important part of services at Moose Jaw’s hospital throughout the pandemic.
“Today is a very special day for Foundation donors,” Hrechka said. “This is the first time we’ve been able to meet in over two years. Thank you all for being here. … Your generosity is humbling, and everyone at the hospital is very thankful.”
Hrechka reported that Health Foundation funds have purchased critical care monitors, ICU critical care equipment, dialysis equipment, slit lamps for ophthalmology appointments, neonatal breathing apparatuses, state-of-the-art neurological surgical equipment, advanced simulation dolls, and more.
Miller joined Hrechka on stage to unveil a cheque from the MJHF to the SHA for $480,865.
Dr. Chun Huang, a urologist and cancer surgeon at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, thanked donors for the equipment his department has received. He described the difference in comfort his new cystoscopy scopes have made, and said that the hospital’s new prostate ultrasound has increased the amount of people he can screen for prostate cancer, as well as reducing the risk of sepsis from more invasive biopsies.
Deign Salido, a respiratory therapist, spoke about the COVID pandemic and the overwhelming demands placed upon him and his team. COVID primarily affects lung function, and respiratory therapists have stepped into the spotlight over the last two years.
Salido said that although Moose Jaw is a smaller city and therefore lacks the funding of larger hubs such as Regina and Saskatoon, his team had the necessary equipment to help people during the pandemic in large part thanks to the MJHF.
Three Healthcare Philanthropy Awards were presented near the end of the event.
Paul Busse, a local firefighter, accepted an award recognizing his long history of volunteer service. Busse and his band have played at Health Foundation fundraisers for years, which has helped to raise the profile of those events. Busse’s bandmates joined him on stage.
Rob Carnie was awarded for his work as the voice of the Family First Radiothon. The radiothon is a popular and important annual MJHF fundraiser that has contributed more than $4.6 million.
Finally, Dr. Shahab stepped on stage to accept an award for his leadership during the pandemic. The entire room stood to give him another extended ovation.
Shahab thanked the Foundation for the award and said that his work during the pandemic was part of a team effort. He took the opportunity to encourage everyone present to keep up to date on their vaccine boosters.
“We should all appreciate the calm, wisdom, and confidence he demonstrated when COVID-19 began,” McElree said. “Dr. Shahab is a great leader.”
