Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1368673
10 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021 THANK YOU MANITOBA NURSES We are proud to support you! cna-aiic.ca Your leadership makes a difference every day. Share your story @ canadanurses #VoiceToLead #IND2019 & #NationalNursingWeek NATIONAL NURSING WEEK MAY 6-12, 2019 NATIONAL NURSING WEEK cna-aiic.ca MAY 10-16, 2021 A Vision For Future Healthcare #WeAnsWerTheCAll MGNA Manitoba Gerontological Nursing Association For more information about the MGNA visit www.mgna.ca Benefits of membership: • Education sessions for continuing competencies • Subscription to newsletters • Access to awards and continuing education funding • Networking • CGNA membership & webinars Promoting Excellence in the Care of Older Adults To our dedicated nurses who work endlessly to support our patients and residents during these unprecedented times, we thank you. MRTs: the very image of care In celebration of National Nursing Week, our Medical Radiation Technologists extend heartfelt appreciation to all nurses for their vital role on Manitoba's health care team. COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE TIRELESS DEVOTION TO DUTY KEEPS STAFF AND PATIENTS SAFE F ighting COVID-19 is a team sport and for the past year, the dedicated health-care providers working across Southern Health- Santé Sud have relied upon the expertise and advice of specialized nurses like Melissa Schmidt. Working in Infection Prevention & Control (IP&C) at Carman Memorial Hospital, she makes sure staff understand the latest guidelines and protocols that will keep them — and their patients — safe. "Melissa is truly deserving of recognition as an outstanding nurse and a valued member of our team," says Lorraine Cassan, site lead at Carman Memorial Hospital. "Melissa has been my rock, my foundation of information and a person I can turn to when I need help with implementing a change. "She can be counted on to be up-to-date on the latest information, even if it came out only 10 minutes earlier." Schmidt has been instrumental in the fight against COVID-19, continuously interacting with staff to ensure they understand the latest guidelines and have access to supplemental training if needed. Putting in many extra hours, she has been available to support the ward even when she is not on call. Schmidt has also picked up additional shifts at Boundary Trails Health Centre on occasion, filling in for a colleague to ensure staff had continued access to the support of an IP&C nurse. "The strain COVID-19 put on our hospital staff was immense. Having someone like Melissa with the most up-to-date information was a blessing and we are eternally grateful to her," says Cassan. Always on the lookout for better ways of doing something, Schmidt is committed, passionate and seemingly tireless. A respected team member, she is fierce in her commitment to doing everything necessary to keep patients, staff and the community as safe as possible. She brings excellence, compassion, respect and integrity to her role every day. Her colleagues are quick to point out her cheerful nature and the respect she shows for staff, patients and their families. If she is unsure of anything, she makes sure to get clarification before implementation, and she ensures her colleagues are all following standards and guidelines to the best of their ability. "Melissa is a tremendous resource and great help to the staff at Carman Memorial Hospital," Cassan says. "Melissa's commitment to IP&C has ensured that our facility, our staff and our patients have access to the knowledge and information that allows the continued delivery of safe, excellent care during the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation." Submitted by Southern Health-Santé Sud. MELISSA SCHMIDT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL AT CARMAN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. PHOTO COURTESY OF SOUTHERN HEALTH-SANTÉ SUD.