Alberta Health Services

Ten-year-old Landon, a patient at the Alberta Children's Hospital, greets Santa Claus through the window of his hospital room door. Before embarking on his world tour, Mr. Claus made a special stop to bring holiday cheer to patients and families spending the season at ACH. Wishing everyone a joyful and safe Christmas Eve! 🌟❤️

Last week, toys collected from the AHS Toys for Tickets campaign were delivered to the Stollery Child Life team so patients will have their own special new toy this holiday season. This year’s AHS Toys for Tickets campaign collected more than 1,150 toys across Alberta, bringing smiles to children and families this holiday season. These toys will be distributed to kids across the province, making the holidays brighter for those who need it most. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.

Want to work and play at the edge of the Rocky Mountains? Hinton is less than half an hour from where outdoor enthusiasts can find hiking, climbing, skiing and more! Hinton is hiring for a wide range of professions, join AHS in nursing, allied health, or radiology departments within this one-of-a-kind community at ahs.ca/ruralcareers.

On December 10, the 30 patients of Unit 18 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital enjoyed a special holiday celebration with cake, hot chocolate, and a very special gift bag filled with socks, hand-knit items, and chocolates, supplied by the Operation Friendship Seniors Society (OFSS). Karin Esser felt extra special when she got her hand-knit toque and scarf. As someone with knitting experience, the 80-year-old was all smiles admiring the stiches and type of wool used to make part of her special gift for the holidays. “Some of our patients spend an extended period here with us. They may be waiting for long-term care or have complex or socio-economic needs to take care of prior to finding an appropriate level of care to be discharged into,” says Natalie Allouche, unit manager. With only a few weeks’ experience in her new role as unit manager, Natalie made inquiries with charities in the Edmonton area. She found support from OFSS, an inner-city community partner whose mission is to offer services to improve the quality of life of seniors in need. “Many of our patients can’t be with their family during the holidays, so our staff become like their family,” Natalie explains. “I wanted to make sure our patients felt special and loved during this holiday season.” Continue reading this heartwarming story at https://lnkd.in/g_fs_g7a

At the Hays Seniors Citizen Centre, a sewing room full of fabric inspired a group of creative quilters to start stitching and bring holiday joy to rural healthcare centres across the South Zone. “It was a shame that all this fabric was sitting there doing nothing,” says quilter Margaret Kress. “We started with quilts. Then asked, where are we going to send them, what are we going to do with them all?” Reaching out to Alberta Health Services (AHS), the sewers found a home for their quilts and when AHS asked for Christmas stockings, the group whipped together 182 stockings! These were sent to Volunteer Resources at Brooks, Cardston, Milk River and Taber health centres. Local auxiliaries and foundations supported the purchase of gifts and volunteers got the stockings ready to hand out to patients for Christmas morning. At the Taber Health Centre, volunteers Isabella Neufeld, Joe Constantine and Martha Froese, gathered in early December to prepare stockings and gift bundles for patients in acute care and long-term care. “I’ve been in hospital before during Christmas and it’s definitely not a fun time,” says Froese. “I remember my nurses bringing me a little bit of a Christmas present — and that meant so much to me.” Preparing 30 stockings — nine for residents in long-term care — Meagan Piller, volunteer coordinator for Taber and Bow Island, thoughtfully selected blankets for each long-term resident, and spent months watching for great deals and useful gifts. The gifts bring comfort and joy to patients — a reminder that it’s Christmas. Continue reading this holiday donation story at https://lnkd.in/gpAeSdMC

Tis the season of tradition. Edmonton EMS continued their holiday tradition, guided by Santa, providing “sleigh rides” to Stollery Children’s Hospital patients down Candy Cane Lane. This special tradition ensures no one misses out on the bright lights and spirit of the season. A huge thank you to EMS, ETS, Candy Cane Lane, and of course Jolly ‘Ol Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus for making this possible!

In December 2018, Yeomar Sierra Gomez was paired with Ann Kitiuk through Alberta Health Services' Homecare Community Visitor program. What started as a volunteer match soon grew into a deep and lasting bond. Six years, over 510 visiting hours, and countless completed puzzles later, the duo is still going strong. “Ann and Yeomar have such a special relationship,” says Therese Hesla, Volunteer Resources coordinator for the AHS Calgary Zone. The two share great conversations, go on walks together and play bingo. But the heart of their time together is ‘just sitting and being together,’ says Hesla. Ann will celebrate her 97th birthday later this December. Naturally, Yeomar and Ann marked the occasion with cake, balloons, and—of course—a puzzle. Happy Birthday, Ann!

Northern Lights Regional Health Centre has a rare opportunity for a Unit Manager, where you'll shape passionate teams dedicated to patient wellness and recovery, while also enjoying an allowance to an annual maximum of $12,480.00. Located in Canada's boreal forest, nature-lovers can partake in numerous pursuits at the lakes, rivers, and provincial parks nearby, or enjoy spectacular stargazing and Northern Lights in the night sky. Here you can camp, see bison, visit a spa or golf course or take a heli-flight - there is so much to see and do! Come to Fort McMurray and help shape maternal and infant care through thoughtful leadership and strategy. Please visit: https://lnkd.in/dnxP4HrT for more information. Apply today and don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity. #ahsCareers #UnitManager #HealthcareJobs

A recurring infection in 75-year-old Boyd English’s prosthetic hip joint caused him years of pain. Now, as part of a research study led by AHS infectious diseases specialist Dr. Stephen Vaughan, he’s the first in Western Canada to receive bacteriophage therapy—a groundbreaking treatment that uses viruses to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ge35ZJKU

Are you a passionate Nurse Practitioner ready to make a difference in the lives of Albertans fighting cancer? Join our dynamic Ambulatory Oncology team at the state-of-the-art Arthur Child Cancer Centre in Calgary. This is your chance to deliver exceptional care and collaborate with a progressive, interdisciplinary team every day. Take the next step in your career – apply now: https://lnkd.in/grPaHr3p #AHScareers #NursePractitioner #Calgary