Cottagers recognize emergency department

A couple of cottagers north of North Bay were spending time this weekend being thankful for the care that one of them received recently at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. 

“While at our cottage in Temagami, my wife Peg was alarmed by my increasingly serious symptoms," said Ian, who was the patient.  

He says they rushed to the North Bay Regional Health Centre where he was admitted for some severe internal injuries. 

"For the next two weeks, the staff worked tirelessly to fix me up and pull me through," recalls Ian. 

For Ian, that was a time of reflection. 

"I continually remember thinking – 'Wow, these people are great' – and I know I was not an ideal patient many days! From being treated and then admitted through the Emergency Department, to receiving diagnostic tests, to further care in CCU and Inpatient Surgery, I experienced incredible kindness and compassion," he said. 

"Peg and I are expressing our gratitude with a donation.”

Golden Heart Awards were presented to staff in Emergency, Critical Care Unit and Inpatient Surgery.

Emergency Department: Greg Bourdon, RN, Robert Dashineau, RN, Rebecca Lefebvre, RN, Kristen Wallace- Mah, RN, Mark Pearce, RN, Raymond Lefebvre, RN,

Inpatient Surgery: Emma Jelly, RPN, Erin Vassbotn, RN, Kari Laferriere, RPN, Kira Cyr, RN, Lindsay Fournier, RPN, Luciano Emeaghara, Nursing Student, Sarah Silveri, RN,

Critical Care Unit: Christine Gingras, RN, Kaitlyn Wilkinson, Nursing Student, Kerstin Badke, RN, Kevin Duke, RN, Laurie Lee Giroux, RN, Nancy Sullivan, PSW, Patricia Slee, RN, Robert Aultman, RN, Sareena Marcassa, RN, Shenena Powers, RN, Tiffanie Desjardins, RN, Wilfred Cotter, RN,.

Physicians: Dr. Alexis Lemmex, Emergency, Dr. Rui Gong, Department of Surgery- Service of General Surgery, Dr. Michael Creech and Dr. Christopher Dowding, Service of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Andrea Dmytrash and Dr. Ann Marie McKenna, General Internists, Department of Medicine- Service of Internal Medicine, Dr. Gavin Harman, Nephrologist, Department of Medicine- Service of Internal Medicine.

These exceptional staff went above and beyond for a patient at the North Bay Regional Health Centre, inspiring a Grateful Family donation to the Foundation.

The Golden Heart Award is given through the Grateful Family donation where a staff member, physician, volunteer or department is recognized by a patient or a patient's family. 

Those honoured through the donation are recognized at staff meetings through the hospital's social media and are awarded a golden heart badge for their name tag.