Commitment of health care workers recognized

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Two Aboriginal women were among this year's recipients of Saskatchewan Healthcare Excellence Awards (SHEA), given out in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the province's health industry.

Marie Haviland and Myrtle O'Brien received their awards at a gala held at the Delta Regina Hotel on Jan. 31.

Haviland, from Muskowekwan First Nation, is health director at Touchwood Agency Tribal Council. "I design and develop health programs for our bands: Day Star, Gordon, Muskowekwan, Kawacatoose, Fishing Lake," she said.

Haviland was happy to be recognized in the category of quality of work.

"I was very happy. I was quite pleased because it's your peers recognizing your work and appreciating you for what you do."

She said the award was particularly meaningful to her because the work of Aboriginal women is often overlooked.

"And the role of the woman, I think is really important in today's health system," she added.

"I was feeling kind of tired and drawn out and I think 'Oh, this gives me a nice little boost.' And yeah, I think it would, because knowing that your people think a lot of you, you know. A lot of times you do work and you think that it goes unnoticed, and this really pushes me forward, gives me something to work hard for, and work harder for my people, being committed and dedicated."

O'Brien, from La Ronge, is a long-term care nurses aide with the Mamawetan Churchill River Health Board. She has been awarded for her loyalty and commitment to work in the long-term care unit for First Nations in the La Ronge hospital, and for her exceptional interpersonal relationship skills.

"I felt very excited," O'Brien said of the award. "It meant a lot to me because it's hard work to receive something like that. You know that you're doing what's right."

O'Brien said she takes care of 16 people in the unit. She speaks Cree, and that makes her even more special to Elders.

"I know that the ones that are Native, they feel more secure when they could understand your language," she said. "It makes me feel good too when they ask for me when they need something because another person won't understand them."

The SHEA are presented annually to recognize individuals, teams, departments or organizations working in Saskatchewan healthcare that have demonstrated excellence in their field, commitment to their work, and have garnered the respect of their peers and the public.