ACH PFCC Team Welcomes Family Mentors | | |
|
We are excited to introduce three new wonderful Family Mentors to the ACH PFCC Team: Laurel, Pam, and Tracey!
A Family Mentor has experience with their own child in the hospital, therefore, are in a unique place to support families by providing a listening ear, share relevant experiences, and suggest information and resources that can be helpful. Family Mentors are trained in using their story, listening skills, hospital resources, infection prevention, obtaining consent, and ConnectCare. They visit families whose child has been admitted to the hospital, providing an opportunity for organic, supportive conversations.
Laurel, Pam, and Tracey each bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to supporting ACH families and enhancing the work we do. Their bios are provided below, so you can get to know them better and learn more about how they will be contributing to ACH Patient and Family Centred Care! Please join us in welcoming Laurel, Pam, and Tracey to the team!
| |
|
I am a mom to three children and have been a family advisor at ACH since 2021 in a variety of capacities, including co-chairing ACH's Family Advisory Council and being a peer mentor. Outside my work at ACH, I am a Reverend at a local church. I became a Canadian citizen on Zoom in 2021 and am originally from Portland, Oregon. I enjoy exploring parks in Calgary and going on travel adventures—especially visiting Disney theme parks.
I’m not sure I would have believed that I would be in this role as a Family Mentor when our sons received their Barth Syndrome diagnosis four years ago. I am ready and open to build relationships and connections with ACH care teams and with the families who step through the doors. I hope to provide hope to each one, as they experience their own journey.
| |
| |  | Pam is a highly experienced and valued ACH advisor and mentor with over eight years of experience. She has supported many families one to one and in the NICU through bedside connections. She served the full six-year term on the ACH Family Advisory Council including three years as co-chair. She has been a key member of the PFCC Advisory Network providing her voice for many committees and working groups and assisting with PFCC education for the NICU. When Pam is not busy with her three kids, working or volunteering, she enjoys getting outside in the summer to do a variety of activities - one of her favourites is trail running. She has been a part of Sinister 7, an ultra-relay in the Crowsnest Pass, over the years and absolutely loves the solitude that comes with being out on the trail. In the winter, she can be found watching curling or at any curling event that comes to the city as she’s a die-hard fan… that might be the Saskatchewan blood in her. Pam is honoured to be a part of the liaison team and looks forward to building relationships with healthcare professionals to support families who access this place that holds so much meaning to her. She is passionate about sharing her lived experience to provide hope, encouragement, and resources to families.
| |
|
I am a born and raised Calgarian that married an Edmontonian - hockey season in our household can get a little tense! We have 4 kids, ranging in age from 6-19 years old that keep life interesting. In my spare time, I enjoy baking and going on walks, especially in the fall.
While I have always known I wanted to work in the medical/healthcare field, and previously did as an RT, I never imagined leaning into my lived experience to make connections in a family mentor liaison role. I am excited to work along side ACH teams to provide families with hope and support as they navigate their journey.
| |
|
New AHS Webinar for Parents:
Your Child's Diagnosis: Where to Begin
| | |
|
AHS Pediatric Rehabilitation is excited to announce a new, free live webinar designed to support parents and caregivers who have recently received a diagnosis for their child. This resource is especially helpful for those navigating the complexities of a new developmental, mental health, or medical diagnosis.
This live session provides caregivers with the knowledge and resources needed to begin their journey, helping them feel more confident and supported as they manage their child’s diagnosis.
For more details and to register for the webinar, visit this webpage.
To find additional information about pediatric rehabilitation services and resources, visit the Pediatric Rehabilitation website.
| |
|
Calgary Zone PFCC Grand Rounds:
Do We Truly Involve Patients?
| | |
|
Last month's Calgary Zone PFCC Grand Rounds focused on the vital role of the patient’s voice in patient and family centred care. Assumptions can be made by healthcare providers that may unintentionally create barriers, leaving patients feeling overlooked and excluded from critical conversations regarding their health. In this enlightening session, Dr. Colin Del Castilho, South Health Campus (SHC) Facility Medical Director, and Velma Mockett, from the SHC Citizen Advisory Team, shared powerful stories from both the patient and physician perspectives.
After attending, we hope you will feel inspired to continue to aim towards empowering patients as active participants in their care, ensuring their voices are not only heard but fully integrated into the care process.
Watch the Grand Rounds here.
| |
Upcoming Children's Healthcare Canada Webinars | | |
Children's Healthcare Canada SPARK: Live is offering a series of upcoming webinars that provide an opportunity to learn from experts and build your understanding of key topics in pediatric healthcare. This is a great opportunity to hear from the experts and gain valuable insights on important topics in children/youth health and well-being. Registration open to all. | | |
|
|
Engage, Educate, Empower: Co-Designing a Digital Tool for Youth Mental Health Literacy
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
11am ET | 9am MST
Learn more here
Register here
| | |
|
|
Building Bridges: Essential Supports for Children with Disabilities and Their Families in Schools, Healthcare, and Community
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
11am ET | 9am MST
Learn more here
Register here
| | |
|
|
Perspectives of parents, families and caregivers of trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary (TTNB) youth
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
11am ET | 9am MST
Learn more here
Register here
| |
|
New Statistics Canada Study:
Living with a Life-Limiting Illness
| | |
Living with a Life-limiting Illness: Access to Care and Related Experiences (LLLI-ACRE) is a new national study that aims to better understand the experiences with care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their unpaid caregivers, as well as access to care and support services. Your participation is safe and secure. For more details and to access the questionnaire, visit:www.statcan.gc.ca/LLLI-ACRE | | | | |
