HealthLine (Saskatchewan)

HealthLine is a confidential, 24-hour health information and support telephone line, staffed by Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Social Workers. The professionals who work at HealthLine are experienced and specially trained to help you make decisions about your health care options. They can help you decide whether to treat your own symptoms, go to a clinic, see your primary health care provider, or access emergency medical care, if necessary. HealthLine is available to anyone in Saskatchewan, free of charge. HealthLine is not for emergency situations. Call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing a medical emergency. When you call HealthLine, you have the option to speak with a Registered Nurse or a mental health and addictions professional. If you choose to speak with a Registered Nurse, the nurse will assess your symptoms and provide you with the most appropriate health support or information. If you choose to speak to a mental health and addictions professional, you will be able to discuss your concerns in a safe, caring, and confidential manner with a Registered Psychiatric Nurse or Social Worker. They may help you with crisis counseling, strategies to help you manage your situation, or provide information about resources in your community. HealthLine is here to support you and your health care team. It is not designed to replace the advice of your primary care provider, eliminate the need for regular check-ups, or provide a diagnosis. HealthLine services are offered in English, with translation available in over 100 languages. TTY access for the hearing impaired is available at 1-888-425-4444. HealthLine is a Saskatchewan Government program, with service provided by Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region. For more information, call:
Roberta Wiest - Director, HealthLine 306-766-6000
Tami Denomie - Director, Health Promotion, Ministry of Health 306-787-7110

Charities warn of phone scam in Saskatchewan

Two charities have issued a warning about a phone scam in Saskatchewan. The Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Diabetes Association say a company is attempting to sell automated external defibrillators, medical bracelets and/or other medical emergency monitoring systems. The fraudsters claim the products are endorsed by the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association. The charities say they are not affiliated with the company and do not use telemarketing to sell products. Police and phone busters have been alerted to the scam. The charities are asking anyone who receives a call from either senior safety alert, senior emergency care or senior safe alert to call their local police detachment or phone busters at 1-888-495-8501

New Saskatchewan Research Chair in Clinical Stroke Research

Saskatoon brain surgeon and U of S medical researcher Dr. Michael Kelly has been awarded the Saskatchewan Research Chair in Clinical Stroke Research to pursue his work in the operating room and at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron to advance understanding of strokes and improve prevention and treatment. "The creation of this Chair in Clinical Stoke Research increases our health research capacity and enables collaboration toward Saskatchewan solutions in dealing with strokes, which have a devastating effect on individuals and their families," said Rob Norris, Saskatoon Greystone MLA on behalf of Health Minister Dustin Duncan. The chair will provide $1 million over five years, jointly funded by SHRF and HSF. The U of S will provide an additional $200,000 for equipment and personnel costs, as well as providing protected research time and salary. The Saskatoon Health Region is also providing contributions through additional access to equipment, facilities and personnel

2012 Saskatoon Heartbeat Run

Start planning for the 2012 Saskatoon Heartbeat Run in support of the Royal University Hospital Foundation!

Come out on September 16, 2012 and participate in the 10km run, 5km Run/Walk, or the 1km Fun Run!

This scenic course starts and finishes at the Mendel Riverbank, just East of the Kinsmen Park. Don't miss out on a great fall day where you will overlook the North Saskatchewan River and the breath-taking views of trees turning colour and leaves falling.

General Information: Event Director at 1-(306)-667-3828

Volunteer Coordinator Information: 1-(306)-667-3828

Don Campbell inducted into the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame

Everyone in CARG would like to congratulate Don Campbell on his induction into the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame (builder category). The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 15th at the Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon. Tickets for the event will be $75.00 and are available for purchase from the Golf Saskatchewan website. Don was previously inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in 2003

U of S professor named 2012 Saskatchewan Medical Association Physician of the Year

Dr. Peter Kapusta, assistant professor at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine, has been named the Saskatchewan Medical Association's Physician of the Year for 2012, receiving the award at the SMA Representative Assembly dinner held May 4 in Regina. "Dr. Kapusta has made outstanding contributions to the medical profession in our province for more than 30 years, including a substantial commitment to Saskatchewan's medical students and residents," says Dr. Janet Shannon, SMA president. "He is well-regarded for his compassion and professionalism, regularly going the extra mile to provide outstanding service and care to his patients and community." The Saskatchewan Medical Association first presented the SMA Physician of the Year Award in 2002 to pay tribute to the outstanding community contributions made by Saskatchewan physicians

The Melville Communiplex Project Fitness Centre (Saskatchewan)

The walking track and fitness facility will give people in Melville a venue for exercise no matter what the weather is like outside. Health and wellness activities are foundational elements for any community. The Sunrise Health Region, which includes Melville, has comparably high rates of smoking, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. Sunrise also has a relatively aging population. For these reasons, the Communiplex is doubly important in Melville. Prevention is an important part of health care and this facility will take a huge step in that direction. The cardiac care centre will provide the people of Melville and area with preventative and recuperative health care. Smoke cessation programs, cardiac rehabilitation, obesity challenges, chronic disease management and Type Two Diabetes intervention are just a few of the resources that will be offered through the centre. Melville is the first community in Saskatchewan to adopt a Cardiac Care Family Fitness initiative. The Sunrise Health Region, St. Peter's Hospital and the Paul Schwann Centre for Rehabilitation will work cooperatively to deliver these services and contribute to a healthier and happier Melville

Heart Healthy Children & Youth - Saskatchewan

Heart Healthy Children & Youth is the Heart and Stroke Foundation's response to the growing epidemic of childhood obesity, inactivity and other lifestyle choices that are putting Saskatchewan children at risk. This is a province-wide initiative aiming to inspire individuals, families, communities, businesses and governments to take collective action to help children become more physically active, eat healthier foods and be smoke-free. Canadian children may be among the first generation to have a shorter less healthy lifespan than their parents. Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 25 years and 29.1 per cent of Saskatchewan children are considered overweight or obese. At the same time, children are less active. According to Active Healthy Kids Canada, only 15 per cent of Saskatchewan children meet recommended levels for physical activity. And smoking rates among Saskatchewan youth are significantly higher than elsewhere in Canada, even among children as young as grade six.

To get involved, contact the Community Action Coordinator in your area at 1-888-473-4636 (toll-free):

* Candace Bloomquist, Central Saskatchewan bloomquistc@hsf.sk.ca
* Bill Ursel, South Saskatchewan urselb@hsf.sk.ca

Obituary: Dr. John Edward Merriman

Dr. John Edward Merriman born August 12, 1924, in Hamilton, Canada to Horace and Helen Merriman. John passed away peacefully, with family by his side, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on February 7, 2011. He will be missed by his beloved wife Emily Hope Merriman (nee Sully) and children Jeffrey (Jo Ann), Waterloo, Ontario; Helen Baker (Hugh), Toronto, Ontario; Peter (Patti), Ottawa, Ontario; and Heather Dandridge (Chuck), Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; twelve grandchildren, Robert, Jennifer, Suzanne, Michael, Katherine, Jeffrey, Patrick, Scott, Brett, Jaclyn, Sarah, Eric; sixteen great-grandchildren; and a sister Catharine Helen Prinsep. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother Ramsay Owen Merriman. John led an amazing life. He was devoted to God, his family and his work as a physician. Ever seeking the Lord, he and Hope found their final church "home" at St. Antony's Orthodox Christian church in Tulsa. John was granted his MD from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1947. In 1954, he took his young family west to Saskatoon, to the University of Saskatchewan where he was a professor of medicine. Always an innovator, he took a sabbatical leave in 1963 to London, England to research computer applications in medicine. He helped pave the way for modern cardiac rehabilitation techniques, when he established the first cardiac rehabilitation program in North America at the U of S in 1968. In 1977 John, Hope and Heather moved to Tulsa where he established a medical practice where he worked until his retirement in 2010, at the age of 85. John was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the American Academy of Orthopedic Medicine in 2005. Trisagion prayers and visitation will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday February 10 and Funeral service at 10:30 am Friday, February 11, both at St. Antony's Orthodox Christian Church. Family suggests contributions to the Medical Mission Fund at St. Antony's Orthodox Christian Church, 2645 E. 6th St, Tulsa, Ok. 74104. Services Entrusted to Stanleys Funeral Service (743-6271). This obituary was published in the Tulsa World on 2/9/2011

Big Bike teams making their community heart-safe! (Saskatchewan)

"Eight Saskatchewan facilities will be better equipped to save a life with new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) thanks to ZOLL Medical Canada and a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan (HSFS) initiative. As a special incentive for teams riding the SaskEnergy Heart&Stroke Big Bike, ZOLL Medical Canada sponsored a contest to award eight AEDs to teams in various categories. Winning teams will receive an AED that they can use in their own facility or donate to a community site. The Heart and Stroke Foundation will provide the proper training for staff to ensure that the AED is used properly. The AEDs were awarded to the following teams for their outstanding fundraising efforts and the locations for the AEDs will be confirmed in the New Year: Mosaic (Belle Plaine), Yara Belle Plaine, Triple 4 Advertising (Moose Jaw), Dewey's Decimals (Weyburn), CIBC Meadow Lake, Bank of America (Regina), Ponteix Health Centre and California Fitness (Saskatoon). SaskEnergy Heart&Stroke Big Bike engages people across the province and encourages generous support for critical Heart and Stroke Foundation research, education and advocacy in Saskatchewan. The 30-person Big Bike traveled across the province to over 50 communities last summer helping to raise more than $500,000!"

Surgery offers new start - Chris Daly, Guinness World Record holder (Saskatchewan, Canada)

"Chris Daly is the world's longest survivor of quintuple-bypass surgery - a feat recognized by Guinness World Records earlier this year. The agency of all things superlative created a category specifically for Daly and his quintuple-bypass brethren. A record for quadruple-bypass survivors - 30 years and 213 days - already existed. Former Hamilton resident Alfred Revell, who died in 2009 at age 94, owns that mark. When Daly turns 92 on Christmas Day, he'll be celebrating 30 years, two months and 20 days with his record-setting heart. Daly lives on a Saskatoon-area acreage" - Star Phoenix

Sask Walk For Health (Canada)

Sask Walk For Health is a fund raiser for Station 20 West in Saskatoon

Saskatchewan Chronic Disease Management Collaborative II (Canada)

"Saskatchewan residents with depression and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will soon be receiving better care as a result of a major learning program aimed at doctors and other health providers. The 18-month initiative, called the Saskatchewan Chronic Disease Management Collaborative II, will give health care professionals strategies for applying the best available medical evidence when treating these two chronic conditions. Participants will also learn how to redesign their scheduling systems to make it easier for patients to get appointments. Fifty-four primary care practices - involving 47 family doctors and 170 other care providers - are participating in the initiative, which is being led by the province's Health Quality Council"

H1N1 preparation in Saskatoon Health Region 'unacceptable', says HSAS president

"The president of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) says the Saskatchewan Party government has not done enough to ensure Saskatoon has adequate health professionals for an H1N1 outbreak. According to Chris Driol, speaking at a news conference Tuesday morning, there are not enough respiratory therapists in the city to meet the expected demand during an H1N1 flu outbreak. "This is unacceptable," said Driol. "Saskatchewan residents who become acutely ill need the best possible care. That's what putting patients first is all about." According to Driol, Saskatoon's standard operating procedure requires one respiratory therapist for every four to six ventilators. The current staffing in the Saskatoon Health Region has one therapist for every six to eight ventilators. While Driol says the health region has added 37 beds and has increased the amount of ventilators to 90, the human resources required to manage the ventilators is 'woefully inadequate."" - Star Phoenix

Report urges revamp of Saskatchewan health system

"The Saskatchewan government is being urged to make widespread changes to the health-care system to put more emphasis on what patients want, but also to allow a greater private-sector role. The Patient First Review Commissioner's Report was released Thursday, 11 months after Health Minister Don McMorris appointed veteran health-care administrator Tony Dagnone to lead the review. The 55-page report says the province's $4-billion health-care system has been designed around the people who deliver health care, not the patients. That must change, Dagnone said, and the change must start with an attitude adjustment. "Patients don't want medicare to be dismantled, they want medicare to be fixed," Dagnone told CBC News."

Half-price Saskatoon Yellow Jackets game

When you purchase your ticket for this Saskatoon Yellow Jackets game on July 16, 2009, you just have to mention that you are either a Heart and Stroke volunteer or Survivor

2009 Chronic Disease Prevention & Management (CDPM) Provincial Conference

2009 Chronic Disease Prevention & Management (CDPM) Provincial Conference - June 18-19, 2009 - Sheraton Cavalier, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. "The purpose of the 2009 CDPM Provincial Conference is to provide health care practitioners, policy makers, administrators, organizations, and individuals committed to prevention and living well with chronic disease an opportunity to share ideas, practices, and initiatives."

Saskatchewan Stroke Conference 2009

Saskatchewan Stroke Conference 2009 - Heart and Stroke: Pre-hospital, Emergency and Acute Stroke Care in Saskatchewan - April 30 to May 1, 2009 - Hilton Garden Inn, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. "Want to learn more about your role in stroke care in Saskatchewan? How you can enhance your own program and procedures? Learn about implementation of best practices from others who are making it happen right here in our province"

2009 Zoo Run

2009 Zoo Run - A 5 Km Fun Run or 2.5 Km Walk - Sunday, April 19 at 9:00 a.m. - Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

2009 Saskatchewan Blue Cross MS WALK

2009 Saskatchewan Blue Cross MS WALK - Sunday April 26, 2009 - Archibald Arena, Saskatoon - Check in 8:30am, WALK 10:00am - Route is 6km