Kerri RobinsPhoto Courtesy Heather Bach

Hitting the airwaves for the first MYKids Radiothon proved a winning strategy that raised more than $15,000 to support children’s health at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.

Thanks to a partnership between the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation and a local radio station, My 96 FM, the airwaves crackled from the local McDonald’s on Dunmore Rd. S.E. on June 4 and 5 as Medicine Hat and area residents tuned in to hear sick kids and health care professionals share their uplifting stories over 30 hours of air time.

During the radiothon, that McDonald’s location donated all proceeds from Happy Meals and coffee sales to the foundation.

Upon hearing about the fundraiser, Johanna Goodwinand her five-year-old son, Lachlan, visited McDonald’s to watch the live broadcast. “Lachlan was excited to be there and pretty happy to be part of something special,” says Goodwin, a Medicine Hat resident and part-time porter at the hospital. “We’re a growing community and our needs, especially in children’s health, are growing as well.”

Many ‘McHappy’ families also came to the live event to support pediatric care at the hospital, the neonatal intensive care unit , Chi ldren’s Health and Developmental Services (CHADS), and Addictions and Mental Health.

Heather Bach, Executive Director for the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation, says she’s thrilled with the community response. “This was the first time we held this event and the support was overwhelming,” says Bach. “We’ll definitely be looking into hosting the second annual event next year.”

On hand for the entire 30 hours, Bach says the success of the event more than made up for her lost sleep. “Our community really stood behind us and contributed to a great success,” she says. “Residents certainly stepped up to the plate and made it clear they are fully committed to helping kids – and that’s what this has all been about.”

Goodwin also says she enjoyed the event with her son. “Raising money for pediatric care is such a good cause,” she says. “I really hope this becomes an annual or semi-annual event.” For more information, please visit the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation online at www.inyourcommunity.ca.

Fall 2015

Radiothon Raises Over $15,000 For Kids’ Health

In Your Community

A portion of the funds raised will go towards renovating a room in the Pediatrics Department for children who have longer stays in the hospital. The room is used by children who are one day old up to 18 years. A music theme has been chosen that will appeal to all ages.

Five year old Lachlan sits with MY96 FM radio host Shalinda Kirby during the MYKids Radiothon at the McDonald’s on Dunmore Rd. in Medicine Hat, helping to raise money to support children’s health at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.

Kerri Robins

When Ryan Tracey felt numbness in his left arm, he erred on the side of caution and went straight to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.

“I’ve had a history of heart trouble, and hurt my back recently, so I thought I should get it checked out,” says the 31-year-old Medicine Hat resident. “And I’m happy I did because it was nice being monitored on some new equipment at the hospital.”

Thanks to $800,000 in community support through the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation, the hospital was able to buy a Central Monitoring System for its Emergency Department (ED) earlier this year.

With electrodes attached to their chests, patients can now be monitored by staff using two monitors, one at each of the two nursing stations, with the upgraded central monitoring system. Being able to keep an eye on all their patients’ vitals without having to be physically at their bedside, as they did with the older individual bedside monitors, is a big plus.

“Not only do we have two central monitors now, the system also keeps electronic records of the patient’s history during their stay in ED,” says Ryan Klick, Manager ED at the hospital.

“The system sounds an alarm to notify us of any heart event, like an irregular heartbeat,” he adds, “and that’s helpful for staff, knowing they can multi-task without worrying how their patients are doing. It’s really helping us streamline our workflow.”

Heather Bach, Executive Director of the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation, says she’s proud of her community fundraising.“Our community members and businesses really came through; the support and donations we received is amazing,” says Bach. “I’m really fortunate to be part of such a caring community.”

As for Tracey, he’s doing well, and adds that he’s happy about the new equipment. “It really gives me peace of mind knowing this equipment is here in case of an emergency.”

More Than A LifelinePhilips Lifeline, an emergency medical alert service, has partnered with the Health Foundation to help seniors and people with disabilities in the Medicine Hat area live more independently and safely at home. With Lifeline, help is available at the push of a button. For every new customer that signs up, Philips Lifeline will make a donation to the Health Foundation. This funding will allow more investment in the local healthcare system.

1-800-543-3546www.lifeline.ca

YourDonations

Make ItHappen!

Keeping A Close Eye on Hearts

Alana de Wolf, RN interprets the information shown on one of the Central Monitoring System screens.

@MHDHFoundation

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celebrating donors ~ enhancing healthcare ~ achieving excellencecelebrating donors ~ enhancing healthcare ~ achieving excellence

Let’s Talk! Manifest Starts Conversations On Men’s Health

Health Foundation Welcomes New Board Trustee

Photo Courtesy Sheenism Studios

Manifest was pleased to be back for a second year raising funds for men’s health initiatives. The sold-out event, which was held downtown in the Cypress Club; featured a decadent menu, live auction and speaker. Following the vision from its inaugural year in 2014, Manifest continues to encourage men to start conversations about their health.

To start the evening, the red carpet was rolled out and live musicians performed greeting the gentlemen at the entrance of the historic venue. The menu featured items such as grilled lamb popsicles and made in-house ice cream. All attendees arrived in their best, looking sharp while showing off their individual sense of style for the formal evening. Local photographer, Sheenism Studios, was there to document as the men made their way into the Cypress Club. Awards were presented in categories from Best Dressed to Nice Try. The night

ended with a live auction with all the proceeds directed toward the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation in support of men’s health.

The Health Foundation would like to introduce the newest member on the Board of Trustees, Simon Hersey. Simon is a local resident who has established a law practice in Medicine Hat, his home for more than a decade. Simon says that he’s “looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the great work of the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation”.

The Health Foundation would also like to give a warm thank you to Michael Dolan for his volunteer contribution as a member of the Board of Trustees. We appreciate your dedication to enhancing healthcare in Medicine Hat!

The menu for Manifest featured a mix of last year’s favourites and new pairings.

Equipment HighlightsBaby Scale

Bedside CabinetsBedside UltrasoundCautery Generators

Cooling BlanketCoping Kits

Electric BedsENT Microscope

ENT ScopeLounge Furniture

Emergency Dept.5E - General Surgery

Maternity ChildORICU

Emergency Dept.MHRH

OREmergency Dept.

5E - General Surgery

Overbed TablesSpirometersTeddy Bears

ThermometersToys

Transfer CassettesWheelchairs

Wound Care VacuumVital Signs Monitor

5E - General SurgeryRespiratory

CHADS/PEDS/ERM.E.Y.C.C.

CHADS/PEDSMHRHSARP

Ambulatory CareGeriatric Day Hospital

StaffHeather Bach

Executive Director

Andrea BaronMarketing & Communications

Jolene HoeppnerDonor Relations Coordinator

Kayla SederbergDonor Relations Assistant

Katrina Dubourt Gift Shop Coordinator

Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation

666 5TH Street SWMedicine Hat, AB

403 528 8133health.foundation@ahs.cawww.InYourCommunity.ca

TrusteesJason Melhoff, Chair

Jeremy Robinson, Vice Chair

Dr. T. Alphin

Dr. A. Azam

Colleen Cavan

Dr. A. Correia

Don Dempster

Brent Fisher

Betty Kirschenman

Linda Wahl

Simon Hersey

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Did you know there are different ways for you to support local healthcare through the Health Foundation?

Our donors choose to make a difference by naming the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation as a beneficiary in their will.

By including the Health Foundation in your will, you are able to designate where your future donation will be used. Our donors have chosen areas such as: Senior’s Health, Men’s Health or Women’s Health. Upon receiving your gift, the funds will be used to support current needs in that healthcare area. Your charitable gift will help your loved ones for generations to come.

We encourage you to seek advice from your lawyer or financial advisor, should you have any questions.

Did You Know? All About Planned Giving

Thank You for Making a Difference in Our Community!

The Gift Shop within the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital is completely run by volunteers of the Health Foundat ion . Our vo lunteers generously give their time and all the proceeds from sales go towards supporting healthcare equipment and programs.

Do you have a spare afternoon each month that you could dedicate to giving back? The Health Foundation is currently looking for volunteers to assist in the Gift Shop. Shifts are available during the afternoon or evening and we ask that volunteers commit to at least one shift per month.

If you think this opportunity could be a good fit, please contact the Health Foundation at 403 528 8133.

Volunteering - Your Generous Gift of Time

The Health Foundation operates the Gift Shop within the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital with help from dedicated volunteers.