LAC LA BICHE – On May 29, healthcare workers in Lac La Biche were shown appreciation for their hard work and dedication with a sweet treat of free ice cream.
According to Heather Stromquist, chair of the Lac La Biche Regional Attraction and Retention Society (RARS), the event in the parking lot of the William J. Cadzow Health Centre was put on for Alberta Rural Health Week.
Stromquist explained that RARS partnered with Lac La Biche County and Portage College for the initiative, which involved placing coupons at various locations around the hamlet of Lac La Biche, including the hospital, the Associate Medical Clinic, as well as pharmacies.
Bessma Tarrabain, who operates Bessma’s Ice Cream, was contracted to park her van outside of the hospital, where workers with coupons could stop by and enjoy some cold ice cream on a sunny, hot afternoon.
Rural healthcare providers are invaluable assets in their communities, said Stromquist. Not only do their skills and expertise enhance the well-being of residents, she explained, but these professionals also play vital roles as family members, friends, neighbours, volunteers, teachers, and mentors.
"We honour the dedication of our rural healthcare professionals-the doctors, nurses, staff, and volunteers who care deeply for our communities. Your compassion, resilience, and commitment do not go unnoticed,” Stromquist stated.
On May 26, Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov signed a proclamation declaring Alberta Rural Health Week from May 26-30.
“This week is dedicated to recognizing the dedication of rural healthcare providers and volunteers who strengthen the health and well-being of our communities,” said Reutov. “We extend our gratitude to all those who deliver and support healthcare close to home, including our local health professional attraction and retention committees.”
According to Carrie Froehler, the vice president of People and Culture at Portage College, representatives from the college lent a hand by doing different tasks, including making the ice cream coupons.
“We helped organize to get the ice cream truck, print off the coupons, and help spread the word for the healthcare professionals,” Froehler said.
Froehler, who is also a member of RARS, says the college has been working in the background, helping with the recruitment of healthcare workers in the Lac La Biche area and doing what it can to support the initiatives of both Lac La Biche County and RARS.
“We teach healthcare programs as well, so it’s really important for us to support the healthcare and to see our grads out working in the healthcare profession,” she said.
For Tarrabain, being asked to serve up ice cream cones on a hot day to healthcare professionals was an honour.
“I really respect healthcare workers,” Tarrabain said, adding that her future plans include entering the healthcare field. “I’m in my Bachelor of Science right now at the U of A and I hope to go into some kind of medical field afterwards.”
Earlier this year, the provincial Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) announced that Alberta Rural Health Week would be taking place from May 26-30.
According to information from RhPAP, over 18 per cent of the population of Alberta resides in rural and remote areas, while less than seven per cent of family physicians serve in rural areas, with similar ratios for other healthcare workers.
