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Babies And Lions Do Mix

Pipestone Flyer

LFront Row: Doris Thomas, Diane Denham, Cliff Reed, Murray Warnke, Claudette Yellowbird & Branin Thompson

Second Row: Glen Dokken, Real Beruhe, Glen Zahara. Third Row: John Thomas & Arden White

Diane Denham, Acute Care Manager, Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Center was quite content to let a pack (pride) of lions roam the Hospital on April 10 because they were the type of lions that cared about children.  “We just received $23,000 from the Wetaskiwin Lions Club to purchase new cribs for the Pediatric Unit.” 

    Diane estimates the cribs they are replacing are 25 years old because, “they were moved from the Old Hospital”.  She describes some of the features of the new beds. “Highlights of the new cribs include easily lowered side rails for unobstructed access, low-impact side rails with thinner, wider slats and four independent side rails.  The side rails offer 360º of unobstructed access for caregivers and the cribs have swing-open access doors that allow quiet, convenient patient care.  The retracting back rest helps eliminate head-end gap along with a retractable protective top for safe toddler care and an oxygen bottle holder.  The new cribs are designed around safety, access and ease of use.” 

    Thanks to generous donations to the Wetaskiwin Health Foundation by individuals, organizations, businesses, clubs and corporations, Wetaskiwin can boast one of the best equipped healthcare facilities in the province. State-of-the-art equipment attracts and retains top notch medical professionals. That is why each and every investment that comes in to the Wetaskiwin Health Foundation is so important. 

    Brandy Morneau, LPN / Unit Clerk Unit 32, Wetaskiwin Hosptial & Care Centre demonstrated the features of the new crib and described how it will be appreciated by the staff. “The new crib makes it much easier to care for the patient.  It’s easier to move side rails and much quieter to make adjustments when they (babies or toddlers) are sleeping. These are state-of-the-art cribs, similar to the Stollery (Childrens Hospital). They save so much wear on our bodies – our shoulders” 

    Research has shown nurses suffer from work-related low back pain more often than workers in any other profession. The new cribs will assist staff as they can alter the height of the bed mechanically. The mechanical lift makes it easy for a caregiver to position the baby and more easily complete routine tasks, such as examinations or linen changes. 

     Branin Thompson, Foundation Board member is also the Occupational Therapy Supervisor at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre. She remarked, “how grateful they are for the support provided by the Lions and the community”. 

    Foundation Executive Director, Lillian Dykes dug through the files and reported.  “What I learned is the Lions first donation to the Health Foundation was for $6oo and made in January, 1988. That donation was designated to the ‘Greatest Need’. Over the years they have donated funds to other healthcare causes such as Greatest Needs,  Helmet Safety,  Telethon, Pediatrics, CT Scanner, Palliative Care, Cardiology and Surgical. Last February they donated $10,000 to EyeCare bringing their accumulative total at that time to $129,390.”  With the recent donation of $23,000 the Lions will have invested a grand total of $152,390 in healthcare in Wetaskiwin. 

    The Wetaskiwin Health Foundation is the essential link for creating and managing partnerships and alliances between healthcare representatives and individuals, service clubs, foundations, corporate representatives, and government. The correct mix of partners and resources are matched to satisfy the values of the donor and the needs of healthcare. For more information contact Foundation Executive Director, Lillian Dykes at 780-361-4130.