In case you missed last week’s paper: $13 Million redevelopment for Killam Health Care
A very welcome announcement was made at the Killam Health Care Centre on Tuesday, Aug., 9 as plans for a $13 Million redevelopment of the Killam Health Centre was announced.
Taking part in the announcement were Patrick Dumelie, Covenant Health President, Ed Stelmach, Covenant Health’s Board Chair, Deputy Premier and Alberta Minister for Health Sarah Hoffman, Geri Clark, site administrator, as well as Killam Mayor Bud James.
Dumelie acted as the master of ceremonies for the announcement ceremony.
“You probably thought this day would never come,” said Dumelie, “but I can promise you that it’s here,” saying that a tremendous effort had been put forth to get to this point.
The total project includes 24,000 sq. ft. of new construction, five more rooms for the Killam facility, and will be implementing a new approach that is uniquely responsive to the needs of the rural area.
Dumelie said, “This project is a great demonstration of how we can integrate care across the continuum of a rural setting, and is something that will not only benefit the residents of Killam and area, but one that will serve as a model provincially.
“The project will allow us to provide a home for people with differing levels of care, including couples.”
Dumelie welcomed Lois and Nelson Bergum, who were for a time forced apart as Nelson came into long-term care in Killam and Lois remained at the Flagstaff Lodge in Sedgewick, causing much heartache between the two after 70-plus years of marriage. (Bergum’s full story can be found at thevitalbeat.ca)
Shelly Murphy, Covenant Health Chief Operating Officer and Geri Clark, Site Administrator, went the extra mile to help Lois and Nelson come together again.
Dumelie said, “With this new facility, these kind of heroics will no longer be necessary.
“All of our seniors will have more space, with private, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.
“It’s an ideal environment for care, focused on the patient.”
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman prefaced her remarks by saying, “I am so pleased to be part of this morning’s event.
“We know that your community has waited a very long time to see this health campus proceed in a meaningful way that will meet the best needs of the residents here.”
“This facility is essential to Killam to meet the needs of today’s residents and to also the needs of the surrounding area into the future.
“Having family, friends, and a familiar face around you is important at any point in life, especially as we age.”
Hoffman says in January she met with officials from Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, the municipality of Killam, and Flagstaff County officials.
“At that meeting, we decided we will figure out the details, as long as we are committed to the outcome. We all agreed that the vision for Killam Health Care Centre needed to move forward.
“You have waited long enough. We know that there have been some broken promises in the past, and we were going to make sure we didn’t do that moving forward.
“Our government needs to see this project move forward.”
Hoffman added, “I was especially pleased to learn that this project will help keep couples together.
“We can finally say the new facility has reached a critical step and is close to construction.”
In closing, Hoffman said, “This facility will support residents as their needs change. We all need to get the right care, at the right place, in the right time by the right health care team,” adding that the new facility would allow for this to happen.
After her presentation, Dumelie thanked Hoffman, saying, “Without her leadership, I don’t think we’d be here today.”
Speaking next was Ed Stelmach, Board Chair of Covenant Health, bringing greetings from the board.
“It is a tremendous pleasure to bring greetings from the board of Covenant Health,” said Stelmach.
“We are very, very greatful to continue to work with our government, and with health care providers. “This community, in particular, but seniors throughout the province.
“As a board, we have worked with a seniors team, and have set a bold new vision for Covenant Health, to create a bold new vision to transform the health care system.
Stelmach talked about the founding Sisters, who understood the importance of human dignity, and who were the founders of health care for many areas of the province.
“These buildings are brick and mortar, sure, but they are bound together by love, hope, faith, and a deep understanding of the human spirit.
“It is this same understanding that breathes life into the work here in Killam.
“The sisters faced great need, with finite resources, but they were always focussed on those they served.
“They had a very strong belief in the intrinsic dignity and worth of every individual in their care.
“They met the needs of the whole person, body, mind, and soul. That is what we continue to do today.
Dumelie thanked Stelmach, then said it takes many partners to have a day like today.
“Geri Clark and Bud James have played a tremendous role in supporting us as we got ready to begin construction.
“These individuals were nothing but true community leaders, stepping up and supporting Covenant Health and the government, and bringing us together.
He then introduced Killam Mayor Bud James, who said, “It’s kind of an exciting day.”
“This project started as a concept several years ago, and I am very pleased to be here for this announcement.”
He also acknowledged the Sisters, saying, “This facility would not exist in any way without them. They were instrumental in bringing health care to Alberta.
“I want to as well acknowledge and thank certain individuals and groups.” These included the Covenant Health Board, and Senior Management Team.
“When Geri speaks of this, you can see her eyes light up and you can hear the passion in her voice as she talks about how quality of care and quality of life can improve for her patients with this project going forward.”
He also thanked the Hospital Foundation board, as well as Hoffman, and Alberta Health Services who he says have played a role in the past months to bring us to this day.
“Finally, I would like to acknowledge the support and effort by my colleague Reeve Gerald Kuefler, of Flagstaff County.
“Gerald and his Flagstaff County colleagues fully support this project and Gerald and I have spent much time on this file, doing what we could to coax it along.
“While the sign on the building may say Killam, we all recognize that this facility serves all of Flagstaff and its regional citizens.”
James closed by saying, “I look forward, as I know all of you do as well, to the day when we can walk through the doors of a facility that can serve our citizens for years to come, a campus of care.”
“Most importantly,” Dumelie added, “I want to thank Geri and her team here in Killam. The fact is, that the great care that we provide in this community is because of all of you and the work you do.
“Anyone associated with this facility knows of the dedication of staff, volunteers, and physician, that comes from great leadership from Geri.”
The formal presentations were followed by photos of dignitaries, staff, and foundation members, with residents, hoisting their shovels in celebration of the project.
After the formal presentations, Hoffman talked about how the process got to this point, referring to the previous announcement for expansion, made some seven years ago.
“It can be easy sometimes to get stuck in details and forget about the big picture.
“The big picture is that we have a community who wants to serve, and a facility that wants to expand to accommodate people and their range of care needs that they need throughout their lifetime.
“We have a willing community partner, with Covenant Health also keen, and a government who wants to build 2,000 long-term care beds.
“This is a solution for success, let’s forget about little details and get back to the big picture.”
Hoffman said the original project had stalled, after seven years of fighting over some details.
“I get it, sometimes we get lost in the process, but at the end of the day, we need to ensure people today, five years from now, and 15 years from now have a great facility to live in with dignity.
“The care provided here is fantastic, I think the bricks and mortar should match that.”
Visitors and guests enjoyed a barbecue after the presentations.
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor
