Alberta Health Services (AHS) received a crisp salute—a provincial award from the Canadian Armed Forces—for its commitment to reservists, the military personnel who work for AHS and who serve Canada at home and abroad.
In March 2017, AHS received the Canadian Forces Liaison Committee (CFLC) Employer Support Award.
“I’m very proud of the dedication and accomplishments of our reservists both here at Alberta Health Services and for their service to our nation overseas,” says Dr. Verna Yiu, AHS President and CEO.
“I also believe we benefit from the operational and management skills they learn from the military.”
About 100 AHS staff in the Reserve Force enjoy the flexibility of AHS, which gives them time off for courses, field exercises and overseas deployments.
One such soldier is Maj. Drew Beauchamp of the Calgary Highlanders infantry unit, who also serves AHS as Human Resources senior advisor with HR Business Partnerships, part of the People, Legal and Privacy team.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have an employer like AHS that’s not only dedicated to our patients, but also to our members of the Canadian Forces,” says Beauchamp. “It means a lot to me to be able to pursue this interest. As an army officer, we have opportunities to attend leadership and professional development training opportunities. A lot of the planning and communications that are required on the battlefield are directly transferable into any business atmosphere, including AHS.”
Current Reserve Force members have seen action in Afghanistan, the Golan Heights, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Egypt, along with peacetime training exercises around the globe. On the home front, reservists have also stepped up during states of local emergency, such as the southern Alberta flood of 2013.
The CFLC is comprised of military personnel plus civilian, business and educational leaders who volunteer their time to link the Reserve Force with the business and educational community.
We do things like Bugs & Drugs (guide to fight infections) ... to have a positive impact on our patients—regardless of whether they are in Alberta or on a hospital ship in Africa
Rob Vretenar, executive director, Provincial Operations, Pharmacy Services for AHS. He provided a Calgary AHS pharmacist volunteering on a hospital ship off West Africa with app redemption codes, so she and her colleagues could download the Bugs & Drugs app onto their devices for free. Bugs & Drugs is AHS’ guide to fighting infections
I’m a liaison between the military and community—I started with mess dinners and field exercises, and helped prepare troops for what they might encounter. Since then, we’ve implemented more training for military medics and nurses, and integrated simulation exercises.
Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, with Edmonton’s North East Community Health Centre and Royal Alexandra Hospital, who was recognized with a Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
I had to change the way I think medically. I couldn’t think about how these kids would be cared for in Canada. I had to change to a realistic mindset of what was possible where I was.
Sam Hardeman, neonatal intensive care unit nurse at Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, who spent nine months in southern Afghanistan, working in a hospital for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders)
Fitness is a part of our lives, and mental health is an issue near and dear to our hearts. Words are great, but actions say so much more. Like a lot of health issues, running is a journey of resiliency—hitting the wall and finding strength beyond the perceived wall
AHS EMS paramedic Amy Benson, far left, with firefighter Jessica LaMer and police officer Sylvie Boy, who ran a half-marathon for Wounded Warriors Canada in support of Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, first responders and their families
About 100 AHS staff in the Reserve Force of the Canadian Armed Forces enjoy the flexibility of AHS, which gives them time off for courses, field exercises and overseas deployments to grow their careers and military expertise. Current Reserve Force members have seen action in Afghanistan, the Golan Heights, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Egypt, along with peacetime training exercises around the world.
Our physicians and staff volunteer around the world. Quietly and without fanfare, many AHS employees and physicians volunteer their skills and time to work with humanitarian organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and the World Health Organization, both of which deliver medical aid to people worldwide.
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