ASSINIBOIA - If you were to express your gratitude to a dedicated group of professional healthcare workers and Nurses, for a job well done, this is what it might look like: “Thank you to all our healthcare workers, for making sacrifices and committing to the fight against COVID-19.”
“Despite the tough and unprecedented times (we live in), you continue to put others first. Every day your compassion is appreciated, your dedication is admired, and your service to humanity makes a difference. Thank you for all that you do. We will forever be grateful and in your debt. May you be proud of the work that you do and the difference that you make in our lives.”
This heartfelt message - from a lovely and grateful individual - was recently sent to Lisa Cairns, Primary Health Care Manager, for the Network region six in southwest Saskatchewan.
Over the past two years, during the scourge of a global pandemic, Cairns has been in charge of a highly efficient and extremely effective COVID Response Team of Healthcare Nurses and professionals who administered, impressively, more than 31,650 doses of vaccine to an eligible population of some 16,640 individuals here in the south country.
Cairns’ team, has been recognized provincially for its effectiveness, efficiency, creativity, and ingenuity, and their methods mimicked by other health regions around the province.
Since all good things must eventually come to an end, as of March 4, Cairn’s celebrated COVID Response Team was sadly decommissioned, and the Assiniboia COVID Test and Assessment Site closed its doors. Hopefully, forever.
Her team consisted of some 40 healthcare professionals, including EMS workers and pharmacists from here in the south. The COVID Response Team will now be transitioned to become part of the Primary Health Care Unit at the Redcoat Clinic (Asaskan Complex) in Assiniboia.
Vaccines will continue to be offered at the Redcoat Clinic, as well as at Public Health Offices and pharmacies throughout the area.
Cairns provided a farewell message to some of her team members gathered at Town Hall in Assiniboia on March 4. “My greatest challenge and pleasure was to work alongside these healthcare heros ... who rose (everyday) to the challenge of protecting and serving our communities during a worldwide pandemic. The scale and scope of this work was virtually unprecedented in our time. Today we are here to turn a pandemic page, to thank and acknowledge our healthcare teams, community partners, pharmacies, and EMS, who supported the efforts of COVID vaccination and testing in the Assiniboia area.”
Saying goodbye to such a great work and effort, “comes with very mixed emotions” said Cairns.
Assiniboia’s mayor, Sharon Schauenberg, briefly attended the intimate farewell gathering to offer her thanks to our local hometown heros.
