Introducing the Board of Directors for 2017/2018, declared at the Community Clinic AGM on June 14^th

Standing (left to right):  Carol Eaton, Bill Davies (President), Patrick Lapointe, Jason Majid (Vice President),  Dr. Jaris Swidrovich, Gertie Paul.  Sitting (left to right): Jason Cruikshank, Anne Doucette, Karen Cederwall.

New to the Board are…

Karen Cederwall, Executive Director of the Saskatoon Student Wellness Initiative Toward Community Health (SWITCH), which operates out of the Clinic’s Westside location.  Karen has over 13 years of experience in non-profit organizations primarily with the Diabetes Canada (formerly the Canadian Diabetes Association). Through many and varied roles, Karen has developed skills in operations, project and change management, labour relations, team leadership and occupational health and safety.

Patrick Lapointe returns after having served on the Board in the 70s and late 80s.  During that time, he was also a social worker and community developer for the Clinic.  From 1993 to 2011, Patrick served as Executive Director of the Clinic, representing our co-operative on numerous committees and holding executive positions with many organizations including Saskatchewan Health, the Canadian Alliance of Community Health Care Associations, Saskatoon Age Concern Council and the Community Health Co-operative Federation.

Dr. Jaris Swidrovich is a full-time lecturer at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan and is Canada’s “first and only self-identified First Nations Doctor of Pharmacy”.  Jaris’ relationship with the Clinic began over a decade ago when he volunteered, as a Pharmacy student, with SWITCH and he now volunteers with SWITCH as a pharmacist mentor.  He is also on the Board of Directors of Sanctum, Saskatchewan’s first hospice with respite and supportive care for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Returning Board members are….

Jason Cruickshank worked in Member Relations for the Saskatoon Community Clinic in 2009/2010 and is currently working in IT with ProjectLine Solutions. Jason was re-elected to the board in 2016, having previously sat on the Clinic Board in 2011. Growing up in Winnipeg, Jason received a Media Production diploma from Assiniboine Community College and later attended Brandon University. He now lives in Martensville with his wife and daughter.

Bill Davies is in his third term as President of the Community Clinic Board.  Bill has a solid history with community clinics having been a board member of the Regina Community Clinic while living there and strong co-operative roots that date back to his rural Saskatchewan upbringing.  He has held senior executive positions with the government of Saskatchewan and has worked with labour, health, intergovernmental affairs, postsecondary education and the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation.

Anne Doucette has been a Board member since 2006, serving as President of the Board for seven terms.  During that time, Anne served as President of the Saskatchewan Federation of Community Clinics, was a founding member of the committee that formed the national organization of health care co-ops (Health Care Co-operative Federation of Canada), represented the organization in international forums and represented the provincial Federation on the Board of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association.

Carol Eaton was elected to the Clinic’s board on January 13, 2016. She holds a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) designation and a Bachelor of Vocational Technical Education degree. Carol has worked for 40 years in management, finance and administration with a number of public and private businesses and has volunteered as a board member in a number of organizations including Affinity Credit Union, the YWCA and Transition House (Regina).

Jason Majid was elected to the Clinic’s Board in 2015.  He is Vice-President, Legal Counsel at Concentra, Canada’s leading provider of wholesale finance and trust solutions to credit unions.  Prior to joining Concentra, Jason practiced with international law firms in the Arabian Gulf, where his clients included governments, healthcare institutions, insurers and pharmaceutical companies, among others.

Gertie Paul has been a member of the Clinic since 1970 and was elected to the Board in 2016.  She is a Chartered Professional Accountant, and worked as an auditor for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for 22 years.  She also facilitated workshops within the Federal Government on topics including Diversity, Stress Management, Communications, Harassment Awareness and Conflict Resolution.

The Saskatoon Community Clinic was honoured to host Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and his staff Wednesday August 2nd.  Minister Hussen met with physicians and representatives of the groups partnering to offer the Refugee Engagement and Community Health Clinic (REACH) at the Saskatoon Community Clinic. He shared his own personal experience in navigating the Canadian health care system upon his arrival to our country, and commented on how wonderful the model is at Saskatoon Community  Clinic to be able to offer so many services under one roof. The group shared what is working well with the REACH Clinic, and what our challenges are in trying to sustain this collaborative model with the limited resources and available funding.

Congratulations to baby Scott Douglas who was presented with the annual baby quilt created by the Clinic’s Handicraft Club.  The presentation took place at the Club’s monthly meeting on August 22nd.

Each year, the Handicraft Club presents a handmade quilt to the first baby born on or after July 3^rd to honour the anniversary of the Saskatoon Community Clinic which first opened on July 3^rd 1962. To be eligible, the baby’s family/parent must be a patient at the Clinic.

Featured in the photo are mother Joanne Harris and baby Scott Douglas (sitting), and  Handicraft Club member Sheila Finnestad and Scott’s brother Jonah (standing).

Please bring your Health Card with you!

Community Clinic Pharmacy

The influenza vaccine is available at the Community Clinic Downtown Pharmacy beginning October 30 for those ages 9 and older to any member of the community whether or not they are a patient of a Saskatoon Community Clinic Physician or Nurse Practitioner.  The Pharmacy staff encourages you to make an appointment during the first two weeks of immunization availability.  Walk-ins will also be accepted pending the Pharmacist’s availability.  Call 306-664-4277 to make an appointment.

Downtown Clinic Patients

Commencing October 30, Downtown Clinic patients 6 months of age or older may drop in for influenza immunization from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm at the Mel Langer Building, 424 – 1^st Avenue North, on the following dates:

Monday, October 30

Tuesday, October 31

Wednesday, November 1

Wednesday, November 8

Thursday, November 9

After November 13, appointments can be made with the Appointment Nurse at the Downtown Clinic by phoning (306) 652-0300.

Westside Clinic Patients

Commencing October 23, Westside Clinic patients may drop in for influenza immunization anytime Westside Clinic is open.  Patients must be 6 months of age or older.

Public Health Locations

Public Health will be providing free influenza immunization clinics at locations throughout the Saskatoon Health Region.  Information about times, dates, and locations are available on the following websites:

www.4flu.ca, www.saskatoonhealthregion.ca  or www.saskatchewan.ca

For your safety, you will be asked to wait 15 minutes after your flu vaccine to ensure there is no reaction.

Influenza Vaccine is Most Important for:

• Persons with chronic health conditions or severe obesity.
• Residents of Long-Term Care Homes, Personal Care Homes, and other Chronic Care Facilities.
• Adults 65 years of age or older.
• Pregnant women in all trimesters, members of households expecting babies, households and close contacts of babies younger than 6 months of age.
• Children 6 months to 59 months of age (under 5 years).
• Individuals providing regular childcare to children under the age of 5 years either in or out of the home.
• Caregivers and close contacts of individuals at high risk.
• Healthcare workers and volunteers.
• Persons who work with poultry or hogs.
• Health Sciences students (human and animal).

Get your immunization early so you are protected for the entire flu season!

Congratulations to Betsy Bury who is one of five recipients this year of the Governor General Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case.  The Award was created in 1979 to mark the 50^thanniversary of the ground breaking Persons Case, which changed the course of history for women in Canada.  In 1929, after two years of legal debate, Canada’s highest court of appeal declared that the word “person” included both women and men. The decision was made by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain, making it possible for women to serve in the Senate. It also paved the way for women’s increased participation in public and political life. The case had been brought before the courts in 1927 by five Alberta women who became known as the “Famous Five.” The case became known as the Persons Case.   This Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the goal of equality for women and girls in Canada. Recipients come from all parts of the country and from all walks of life.

To anyone who knows Betsy, it will come as no surprise to learn that she is a recipient of this Award.  Her outstanding leadership in several gender equality initiatives mirrors the courage, integrity and hard work of the “Famous Five” of the Persons Case.  For more than 60 years, Betsy has supported essential social justice initiatives in Saskatoon, particularly in the areas of women’s rights and access to health care services.  Her career began with the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division during World War II. Later, while raising a family, she was inspired by newly elected Premier Tommy Douglas to join the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and participated actively in local and provincial politics. She went on to help establish our very own Community Health Services (Saskatoon) Association, also known as the Saskatoon Community Clinic, in response to the 1962 doctor’s strike against universal health care. As the Clinic’s first director of member relations, Betsy sought to ensure that Saskatchewan women and children had continued access to medical services and were never again put at risk due to physicians’ unwillingness to provide care.  Later, while serving as the Clinic’s first Health Ombudsman, Betsy helped launch Saskatchewan’s first Planned Parenthood clinic serving on the board of the Saskatoon Family Planning Centre.

Throughout her long life, she has volunteered her considerable energies to political causes. An outspoken advocate for women’s increased representation in the political realm, she has supported the campaigns of many candidates and encouraged countless other women to participate in public life.  Retired since 1988, Ms. Bury has continued her political and social activism. She has worked with many social justice organizations, including Project Ploughshares, Veterans against Nuclear War and CHEP Good Food Inc. She performs regularly with the Raging Grannies.

Congratulations Betsy!

Do you have experience with writing, editing or reviewing written work? You might be interested in a position on our Focus newsletter editorial committee. Responsibilities include:

• attending 4 meetings per year at a convenient time for committee members
• reviewing and providing comments on the Focus story list and story submissions
• providing general direction on the look and content of focus
• responding to member suggestions regarding the newsletter

This is an elected position available at the semi-annual meeting. For more information phone 652-0300, ext. 243 or email member.relations@communityclinic.ca

At the 2017 Annual General Meeting, held on June 14^th, 2017 the following resolutions were passed by the membership.

Resolution #1

Need for a Saskatchewan Seniors Advocate

Be it resolved that the SCC urge the provincial government to establish an independent Seniors Advocate, similar to the BC Office of the Seniors Advocate, to monitor and analyze seniors’ services and issues, and make recommendations to government and service providers to address both individual and systemic issues.

This resolution was brought to the membership for consideration as the number of Saskatchewan residents 75 years of age or older is expected to surpass 100,000 over the next two decades and that many seniors, especially those in long term care and assisted living, or who must access services provided by government, healthcare providers, and the private sector, are potentially vulnerable to abuse, neglect, or inability to assist themselves.  Other jurisdictions have demonstrated that an independent, proactive advocate is the most effective way to avoid and correct problems encountered by vulnerable people.

Resolution #2

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Be it resolved that CHSA adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to Clinic policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. This would include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Commit to fostering and maintaining respectful relations with all Aboriginal peoples and honoring the traditional worldview, knowledge and practices of Indigenous peoples for health and well-being.
2. Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training and education opportunities and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from Clinic public health initiatives.
3. Commit to increasing the cultural competency and cultural safety training opportunities for all Clinic employees.

This resolution speaks to the Call to Action outlined in the June 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.  Section 92 of the Call to Action calls on corporate Canada to adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and take action to promote education and understanding as well as efforts of reconciliation.

Effective March 5th, 2018, the patient parking behind the downtown Clinic will only be accessible through the alley between 26^th and 25^th Street.

This change will result in:

• Having patient parking closer to the building,
• More parking for patients, and,
• Lower maintenance expenses.

Only staff parking will be accessible from 1st Avenue.

Signage will be posted to help direct patients and staff.  Thank you for your understanding and patience.  

An illustration of the new parking lot configuration can be viewed here.

At the 2017 Annual General Meeting, held on June 14^th, 2017 the following resolutions were passed by the membership.

Resolution #1

Need for a Saskatchewan Seniors Advocate

Be it resolved that the SCC urge the provincial government to establish an independent Seniors Advocate, similar to the BC Office of the Seniors Advocate, to monitor and analyze seniors’ services and issues, and make recommendations to government and service providers to address both individual and systemic issues.

This resolution was brought to the membership for consideration as the number of Saskatchewan residents 75 years of age or older is expected to surpass 100,000 over the next two decades and that many seniors, especially those in long term care and assisted living, or who must access services provided by government, healthcare providers, and the private sector, are potentially vulnerable to abuse, neglect, or inability to assist themselves.  Other jurisdictions have demonstrated that an independent, proactive advocate is the most effective way to avoid and correct problems encountered by vulnerable people.

Resolution #2

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Be it resolved that CHSA adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to Clinic policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. This would include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Commit to fostering and maintaining respectful relations with all Aboriginal peoples and honoring the traditional worldview, knowledge and practices of Indigenous peoples for health and well-being.
2. Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training and education opportunities and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from Clinic public health initiatives.
3. Commit to increasing the cultural competency and cultural safety training opportunities for all Clinic employees.

This resolution speaks to the Call to Action outlined in the June 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.  Section 92 of the Call to Action calls on corporate Canada to adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and take action to promote education and understanding as well as efforts of reconciliation.

Be it resolved that the Saskatoon Community Clinic indicate its support for a universal, national, single-payer Pharmacare program and communicate that support to the Federal Government.

Moved by Stan Rice/Seconded by Diane Ewert/CARRIED

Whereas 90% of Canadians support the implementation of a National Pharmacare program;

Whereas the implementation of a National Pharmacare program has been endorsed and recommended by the all-party House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (April 18, 2018);

Whereas Canada is the only country with a universal healthcare system that does not include universal access to prescription drugs;

Whereas Canadians pay more for prescription drugs than most other industrialized countries;

Whereas one in ten Canadians cannot afford the drugs they are prescribed;

Whereas we need to force the pharmaceutical companies to have competitive pricing on prescription drugs;

Whereas a single-payers system would reduce prescription drug costs by 6%;

Whereas a national universal Pharmacare program would improve safety, quality and efficacy of the drugs we use;

Whereas pharmaceutical companies have not lived up to the previous commitments to increase research in Canada;

The new Board of Directors for 2018/2019 was declared at the Community Clinic AGM on June 20^th.

New to the Board are…

Fran Forsberg recently received an honorary doctorate in divinity from Saint Andrews College, University of Saskatchewan.  Fran has received the Peter Corren Award for her work with the LGBTX2 community, as well as a YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Community Building.  She has served on many boards over the years.  Fran is also the founder of Camp Caterpillar, a camp for gender diverse children age 7-13, siblings, friends and children of same sex parents.

Heather Hale holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies from the University of Saskatchewan and is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Community Development from the University of Victoria. She has worked in a variety of capacities for non-profit, international development, co-operative and community organizations for the past 10 years.  Heather is currently the Executive Director of Saskatoon Sexual Health and serves on the Board of Directors of the Saskatoon CarShare Co-operative.

Keeley Phillips is a member of the Barren Lands First Nation in northern Manitoba She has her B.A. (Hons) from Wilfred University in Religion and Culture with a minor in Philosophy. Keeley was called to the bar in Manitoba in June 2016 and now practices law with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan working at Station 20 West with women who are involved with the criminal justice system.

Returning Board Members are….

Bill Davies is in his fourth term as President of the Community Clinic Board.  Bill has a solid history with community clinics having been a board member of the Regina Community Clinic while living there and strong co-operative roots that date back to his rural Saskatchewan upbringing.  He has held senior executive positions with the government of Saskatchewan and has worked with labour, health, intergovernmental affairs, postsecondary education and the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation.

Karen Cederwall, Executive Director of the Saskatoon Student Wellness Initiative Toward Community Health (SWITCH), which operates out of the Clinic’s Westside location.  Karen has over 14 years of experience in non-profit organizations primarily with the Diabetes Canada (formerly the Canadian Diabetes Association). Through many and varied roles, Karen has developed skills in operations, project and change management, labour relations, team leadership and occupational health and safety.

Carol Eaton was elected to the Clinic’s board on January 13, 2016. She holds a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) designation and a Bachelor of Vocational Technical Education degree. Carol has worked for 40 years in management, finance and administration with a number of public and private businesses and has volunteered as a board member in a number of organizations including Affinity Credit Union, the YWCA and Transition House (Regina).

Gertie Paul has been a member of the Clinic since 1970 and was elected to the Board in 2016.  She is a Chartered Professional Accountant, and worked as an auditor for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for 22 years.  She also facilitated workshops within the Federal Government on topics including Diversity, Stress Management, Communications, Harassment Awareness and Conflict Resolution.

Dr. Jaris Swidrovich is a full-time lecturer at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan and is Canada’s “first and only self-identified First Nations Doctor of Pharmacy”.  Jaris began his relationship with the Clinic by volunteering as a Pharmacy student with SWITCH and he now volunteers with SWITCH as a pharmacist mentor.

Patrick Lapointe served on the Board in the 70s and late 80s.  During that time, he was also a social worker and community developer for the Clinic.  From 1993 to 2011, Patrick served as Executive Director of the Clinic, representing our co-operative on numerous committees and holding executive positions with many organizations including Saskatchewan Health, the Canadian Alliance of Community Health Care Associations, Saskatoon Age Concern Council and the Community Health Co-operative Federation.

Outgoing Board Members…

The Board would like to express its sincerest appreciation to outgoing Board members Jason Cruickshank and Jason Majid.  Their hours of dedication to both Board and Committee work contributed greatly to the positive changes at the Community Clinic.

Lastly, sincere appreciation goes out to retiring Board member Anne Doucette who has been a Community Clinic Board member since 2006, serving as President of the Board for seven terms. During that time, Anne served as President of the Saskatchewan Federation of Community Clinics, was a founding member of the committee that formed the national organization of health care co-ops (Health Care Co-operative Federation of Canada), represented the organization in international forums and represented the provincial Federation on the Board of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association.

Bill Davies, Anne Doucette, Evan Carlson

Bring a Friend & Welcome Back Event

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Mel Langer Building – 424 First Avenue North

RSVP by September 27, 2018 to Laurie Stone, Senior Volunteer Coordinator 306.664.4282 or lstone@communityclinic.ca

Click here for more details

Every year, the CHSA Handicraft Club presents a handmade baby quilt to the first baby born on or after July 3. This is to honour the Anniversary of the Saskatoon Community Clinic, which first opened on July 3, 1962.

Congratulations Karina Winkler, pictured below with her twin girls born on July 4, 2018! The presentation took place at the Club’s monthly meeting on August 28.

Click here to view contest poster

Please complete an entry form and submit in one of the draw boxes in the following locations:

• Front Reception Area – Downtown Clinic
• Reception Desk – 424 and Westside Clinics
• Lab/Physio Waiting Area – Downtown Clinic
• Pharmacy – Downtown and Westside

Contest runs September 4 – December 31, 2018

Must be a member to win. If you would like to become a member please speak with staff at reception desk or click here for more information. Winners will be notified by e-mail. See entry form for details. The purpose of this contest is to update our member e-mail address database.

Saskatoon Community Clinic Employees and Board Members are not eligible to enter.

The Saskatoon Community Clinic was honoured to host Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and his staff Wednesday August 2nd.  Minister Hussen met with physicians and representatives of the groups partnering to offer the Refugee Engagement and Community Health Clinic (REACH) at the Saskatoon Community Clinic. He shared his own personal experience in navigating the Canadian health care system upon his arrival to our country, and commented on how wonderful the model is at Saskatoon Community  Clinic to be able to offer so many services under one roof. The group shared what is working well with the REACH Clinic, and what our challenges are in trying to sustain this collaborative model with the limited resources and available funding.