Misericordia Health Centre Foundation
Follow us on social media:
  • Home
  • About
    • About the Foundation
    • Board of directors
    • Contact Us
    • Accountability
    • Misericordia Health Centre
    • Employment
  • Events
    • Angel Squad >
      • Angel Squad Stories
    • InVision - a virtual event >
      • InVision Sponsors
  • Why Give
  • Ways to Give
    • COVID-19 Relief Fund >
      • COVID-19 Update: A Message From Our Executive Director
    • Monthly giving
    • A gift in your Will
    • Partner promotions
    • Your Commemorative Gift
    • Host an event
    • Support our events
    • Become a volunteer
    • Corporate giving
  • DONATE NOW

Meet Our Board - Dr. Michelle Georgi

9/27/2017

0 Comments

 
PictureDr. Michelle Georgi
As a busy Winnipeg optometrist, Dr. Michelle Georgi has referred many patients to Misericordia for cataract and eye surgery.

Although some were fearful about having the procedures, the Misericordia Health Centre Foundation board member says “because of my job, I hear feedback from my patients. They come back and say how understanding everyone is.”

“The wonderful staff [at the Buhler Eye Care Centre] always give 100 per cent to their patients,” she adds.

Georgi, who has worked as an optometrist for nearly 30 years, says a number of years ago, she was the president of her local optometrist organization and decided it was important to foster a relationship with more organizations.

Working so closely with the Buhler Eye Care Centre, she felt that she would like to give back to the profession. So her eventual role as a member of the MHCF board happened quite naturally.

“I thought we should be supporting Misericordia, so I ended up joining the Foundation’s Gala committee,” says Georgi.

She has served on the Gala committee for six years, two as its chair. Because she was so involved with Gala, Georgi was asked to join the MHCF board.

2017 is Georgi’s fourth year on the board and she says she enjoys the variety of ways it helps with MHCF initiatives.

“The mandate of the board is to support the work of the Misericordia Sisters. Our focus is on raising funds for programs like music therapy and equipment for the centre.”

Georgi says one of her favourite fundraisers is the annual Angel Squad. She takes part each year, dressed as an Angel on the Maryland Bridge and accepting donations from passersby. And she proudly recounts taking part in the Guinness Book of World Records gathering of angels in December 2015 as part of the Angel Squad fundraiser.

At Christmas, she enjoys serving food at dinners held for the staff of Misericordia.

Georgi really enjoys the chance to give back.

“I’m proud of the fact I can be a small part of a great organization that provides such great care to Manitobans. I really do think they do a great job in the Buhler Eye Care Centre in particular. I’m proud to support the things they do there.”

Georgi hasn’t missed a Gala until this year, when she and her husband, who are patriotic Canadians, and Manitobans, went to the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge in France. She says it was a once in a lifetime experience she won’t soon forget.

“There were 30,000 Canadians there. It was really emotional.” 

When she’s not working, Georgi enjoys playing tennis and running. She is running her first half marathon this spring.

She says she enjoys being part of the MHCF board and the good work that it does in support of Misericordia.



0 Comments

PRIME at misericordia -                               helping seniors to be independent

9/21/2015

0 Comments

 
PicturePRIME participant Bennett Oramasionwu with PRIME manager Judy Ahrens-Townsend.
Up and running since May 2015, the PRIME program, built with your help, has now welcomed its first participants.

Bennett Oramasionwu is one of them.  He describes how his PRIME days begin,

“It’s hard to have a bad day, because as soon as you walk in the door, you are welcomed by staff who recognize you, they are so friendly that they lift your spirits.”

 Bennett attends PRIME twice a week, he is picked up and dropped off from his home, like all participants.  Bennett is retired, but an accident from work caused long-term damage to his lungs, so he requires an oxygen tank and ongoing medical care.  His many health-care trips were simplified when he started going to PRIME.

 “It feels like a whole team of people care for you,” says Bennett of his care experience now. 

It’s true – participants transfer medical, pharmacy, and home care needs to PRIME, where they have a team of health-care experts coordinated by one case manager. If Bennett ever has a question about his health when he’s not at PRIME, he can call them anytime from home – they know him by name.

 The personalized and team-approached methods at PRIME are helping people like Bennett who have ongoing health issues requiring lots of care – PRIME is designed to help prevent multiple ER visits or even admission into a personal care home.

But if you ask Bennett, the best part of PRIME is the method of care delivery; PRIME offers a chance to meet new friends, attend presentations, and work on self-development, while in the safety of a care setting.


 “I used to stay at home too often because of my health; now twice a week I can come here and have good conversations, and exchange ideas with people,” says Bennett, who adds that the diversity of backgrounds in program participants makes for some interesting and wonderful conversations.
 PRIME was built as part of the Future of Care campaign, which was recently completed with help from donors like you.

 Interested in learning more about how to sign up for PRIME?  For information or referral call 204-833-1700.


0 Comments

Young Professionals Inspire Hope for Healthy Aging

8/17/2015

15 Comments

 
It’s not every day that a fresh young University graduate comes to Misericordia Foundation with a new way to help support Manitoba’s aging population.

Erika Hunzinger always knew she wanted to help others to achieve better health.  When she graduated last spring with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, she couldn’t wait to apply some of the things that she had learned to help the community.

“As an Occupational Therapist and as a Yoga Instructor, I believe strongly in empowering people to be in charge of their own health care, especially when it comes to preventative health practices and self-awareness.”

It was this belief that attracted 29 year old Erika to PRIME, a health centre for seniors, at Misericordia.

PRIME officially opened at Misericordia Health Centre in May, 2015, with a mandate to allow older adults to remain living independently in their homes for as long as possible, while  still promoting their engagement and participation in the community. 

“I learned about the program in OT school, and was immediately a fan because I admire the program’s holistic approach to health care.”

Erika wanted to take the themes behind PRIME – a holistic approach, community engagement – and create an event that reflected these values while helping members of the community. 

The result?  A “Health and Wellness Symposium” held at the Brodie Centre, geared towards an aging population as well as caregivers. 

The one-day symposium included informative presentations by partners like pharmacists and naturopathic doctors and was also highly interactive. Attendees were able to participate in a variety of therapeutic exercises; a seated-yoga class allowed seniors to experience the benefits of yoga in a way that is friendly for mobility; art therapy demonstrations showed how the pleasure of creating can also be good for arthritis; a Zumba class was not too strenuous but tons of fun. 

“I specifically tried to make it universally accessible by adapting activities to meet a variety of physical capabilities,” explains Erika.

Funds raised from the event were directed towards PRIME.

“It was such a great experience to meet other professionals passionate about older adult health and wellness. Students, clinicians and specialists volunteered their time. It demonstrated the value of personal connection. We all have so much we can learn from one another.”

Patti Smith, Executive Director at Misericordia Foundation, was blown away by the passion Erika demonstrated for helping older adults.

“It is a privilege to be part of an organization deeply committed to providing support to an area as compelling as healthy aging.  Working with Erika and a group of high performing, enthusiastic and passionate young professionals, has not only been inspiring and fun but promises a bright and hopeful future for our senior population”.   

Picture
Erika and her team of Occupational Therapists organized mobility-friendly activities in a fundraiser for MHC
Picture
Erika Hunzinger (far left) with her team of volunteer Occupational Therapists – photo credit: Amanda Deslauriers
15 Comments

MHC Foundation Board: Meet Jane Emslie

5/7/2015

0 Comments

 
PictureJane Emslie
Jane Emslie joined our board just over a year ago, in February 2014. 

With extensive experience working within the health care field in group insurance, benefits consulting, and corporate leadership, Jane adds valuable knowledge and drive to our team.

Jane is the Vice-President of Group and Individual Business at Manitoba Blue Cross, where she has been since 2009.  Prior to this, Jane worked as a consultant and in a corporate environment in the insurance industry.  She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Manitoba.

Jane is a volunteer for many local causes; she is a member of the United Way Winnipeg Campaign Cabinet, where she co-chairs the Tech and Finance Division, a Yes! Winnipeg Investment Council Member, and an honorary council member of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She has also served on the local council and National Board of the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute and the Board of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Misericordia is also a local cause that is dear to Jane’s heart. 

“I am proud to be a part of an organization that believes a higher standard of care can always be achieved. We see this in the Buhler Eye Care Centre, and in the many excellent programs and facilities that Misericordia has in place for our aging population.”

Jane is a firsthand witness to the impact of compassionate care, as her father is a resident at Misericordia Place.

“Misericordia Health Centre was a great help to my family as we navigated through the complexities and challenges of the healthcare system, looking for the best place to care for my dad.  This experience has deepened my commitment to Misericordia – there is so much that we can do to make aging a better experience for Manitoba families and I am proud to be part of that.”

While Jane is in the early days as a board member for MHC Foundation, she has hit the ground running, providing fresh and meaningful insight to our fundraising activities and strategic planning initiatives. 

“I have seen firsthand the impact that we can have as a community on our own healthcare system.  I look forward to making a difference and to being a part of the next Phase of the Future of Care at Misericordia.”


0 Comments

Video: 3 stories from the buhler eye care centre

5/1/2015

0 Comments

 
You may have heard about the Buhler Eye Care Centre before, now join us as we take you behind-the-scenes and share the stories of three patients .

Oscar is a hollywood dancer from Winnipeg, who had Keratoconus in his eye, and was losing his vision from it, requiring a corneal transplant.

Leo is an active senior who felt like his eyes were aging faster than he was! His diagnosis was wet age related Macular Degeneration.

Shelly is a busy mom who was diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in Canadian adults.

Watch the video to find out how the Buhler Eye Care Centre helped each of these patients to restore their vision and resume their favourite activities!

More about the Buhler Eye Care Centre
Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba at Misericordia Health Centre, the Buhler Eye Care Centre - including 14 in-patient beds - is the largest comprehensive surgical and treatment program in Western Canada. There are 26 surgical ophthalmologists on staff, many with sub-specialty training, serving Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario, the Territories and Nunavut.

The Buhler Eye Care Centre performs approximately 10,900 eye surgeries annually, including corneal transplants. Nearly 25,000 patients are seen in the ambulatory eye clinics for assessments and treatments, such as the new Lucentis injections - an innovative way to treat wet macular degeneration.

Complementing the centre of excellence is the new University of Manitoba Ophthalmology Residency Program, including a resident clinic and mock operating room where we train budding ophthalmologists.

Misericordia's ophthalmologists provide 24-hour on-call services. 

Misericordia is also home to the Misericordia Eye Bank medical lab, where eye donations are used for transplantation and education. This medical lab is supported by the Eye Bank of Manitoba and Northwest Ontario.

For more information about ophthalmology programs and the Buhler Eye Care Centre, visit the Misericordia Health Centre website.
0 Comments

Emergency eye surgery saved my vision!

3/24/2015

3 Comments

 
PictureTyler is grateful that his vision today is perfect, thanks to the care he received at the Buhler Eye Care Centre
It happened too quickly, like so many freak accidents do. 

While inspecting a repair, Tyler Marks pierced his eye with a wire from an aircraft cable. 

“I treated my injury at work cleaning my eye at an eyewash station but did not realize the extent of the injury. I knew I had been “poked “in the eye by something but did not know that it had pierced my cornea.”

Not sure what to do, Marks visited a walk-in clinic.  Fortunately, the doctor at the walk-in knew that urgent and specialized eye treatment was needed quickly, and Marks was sent to the Buhler Eye Care Centre, where MHC Ophthalmologist Dr. Rodney Kellen immediately performed surgery to repair a tear in his cornea.

“When an eye is pierced with a sharp object the injury should be regarded as an emergency. This kind of injury must be treated as soon as possible,” explains Dr. Kellen.

Vision loss would have greatly impacted Marks’s life, as a father, a snowmobile enthusiast, and a rural resident with many outdoor hobbies.

Fortunately, today Marks has perfect vision in both eyes. 

 “I am so grateful for the doctors at the Buhler Eye Care Centre who have given me the gift of sight,” says Marks of his experience, “I can’t imagine how my life might have changed without their expert care.”

The Buhler Eye Care Centre, which opened officially in January of 2015, is the place where Manitobans go for specialized eye care, including emergencies, surgery and treatment for diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and cancers of the eyes.  It is the largest comprehensive surgical and treatment program in Western Canada, with 26 surgical ophthalmologists on staff, many with subspecialty training, serving Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario, the Territories and Nunavut.

The Buhler Centre also hosts the University of Manitoba Ophthalmology Residency Program, which hosts a resident clinic and mock operating room to train budding ophthalmologists.  The Buhler Centre is also home to the Misericordia Eye Bank medical lab, where eye donations are used for transplantation and education. 


3 Comments

A Rural Manitoba Fundraiser with a Winter Twist - 

3/17/2015

0 Comments

 

Snowmobilers Raise Dollars And Awareness For Sight

PictureSetting Lake, Manitoba
Journey for Sight is an annual snowmobile fundraiser, with 30-50 Manitoba riders travelling as far North as Thompson and Flin Flon to collect donations in support of the Lions Eye Bank Foundation of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. The Lions Eye Bank Foundation has generously supported the Misericordia Eye Bank for 30 + years through funds raised by initiatives like Journey for Sight. 

Ian Mullin is the Chairman of the committee for the event, and has participated for 20 + years on the ride.

“We are proud to say that as participants, we cover our own expenses, so that 100 per cent of the money we collect goes straight to charity.” 

Riders help to pay their own way, and rural sponsors cover expenses such as hotel lodgings and gas.  On top of collecting donations, a snowmobile is raffled off every year to raise additional funds.

The ride, which takes place every year in the third week of January, is not just a fundraiser but a time of good fellowship and jaw-dropping Manitoba winter scenery. 

We are so grateful to the Journey for Sight for all that they do to raise money and awareness for eye health.

Do you know someone who loves to snowmobile?  To learn about how to participate in the 2016 ride, visit their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/JourneyForSight


Picture
The Pas, Manitoba
Picture
Pisew Falls Manitoba, just some of the scenery on Journey For Sight!
0 Comments

Ten Reasons to attend our Eye Ball gala!

2/17/2015

4 Comments

 
Will you join us at our Eye Ball?  
You can buy tickets and sponsorships online, just visit our gala tickets page
4 Comments

Barb's story: ocular histoplasmosis

1/14/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
For much of her adult life, Barb Moon has been a world traveler, avid reader and award-winning photographer. It says a lot about Barb that her passion for these hobbies only grew when she discovered she was losing her eyesight.

Barb had an increasingly difficult time doing the things she loved after she lost the sight in her left eye in 1979 due to ocular histoplasmosis. In the years that followed, she had to cope with slowly degenerating sight in her right eye due to cataracts.

It was only after her driver’s license was taken away in 2009 that she knew it was time for surgery. Barb made the visit to Dr. Lisa Gould, one of the 20 surgical ophthalmologists at the Misericordia Health Centre’s Buhler Eye Care Centre.

Barb’s eyesight was all but gone and she was wearing glasses as thick as coke bottle bottoms. She couldn’t enjoy her life in the same way anymore. She couldn’t read. She couldn’t travel. And she couldn’t take photographs.

“I felt that I waited as long as I could,” said Barb. “I could no longer read – and I live to read.” She was unable to even see the price of oranges at the grocery store.

Thankfully, Barb was able to turn to Misericordia’s Buhler Eye Care Centre , which has become recognized across the country as the largest surgical and treatment program in Western Canada. It serves more than 24,000 patients every year from around Manitoba and as far away as Nunavut.

As the MHC undergoes its latest redevelopment, eye care will become even more important as it will become home to Manitoba’s residency program in ophthalmology. This will mean that doctors will get the chance to become educated in the province and use state-of-the-art equipment. The residency program will meet the changing needs of health care as our population ages and it will help prevent a shortage of specialized doctors.

That’s great news for people like Barb: “My hope for the future is that the vision I have at the moment stays with me. The people that work at Misericordia couldn’t be better,” said Barb. “They’re everything you’d ever want from people at a health centre. They are wonderful, knowledgeable, caring and very humanitarian people.


Picture
Back behind the camera, life is good!
0 Comments

Staff Stories: Dr Charles Lekic's Story

1/14/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
When Dr. Charles Lekic DDM, MSc, PhD, FRCDC first became a doctor, his intention was to become an oral surgeon. “After one month I realized this was exactly where I didn’t want to be… I couldn’t distance or detach myself emotionally from my patients. So I decided to work [in a medical field] where I could be in a more emotional position with my patients, and I went into pediatric dentistry.” Once he began working with children, he knew immediately that this was what he was meant to do.

Dr. Charles Lekic is proud to be a pediatric dentist at Misericordia Health Centre.
Lekic – whose credentials include Section Head Pediatric Dental Surgeon at MHC (with the WRHA Oral Health Program), Pediatric Dentist at Children’s Dental Worldand the Head of Pediatric Dentistry in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Manitoba – has true passion for his profession. “Since Day 1 of entering the program, it’s been the happiest time in my life,” he said. “Kids are special because they’re honest and trustworthy. Deep inside I feel a great gratitude to hear where they’re coming from, and I try to be as honest to them as they are to me.”

Getting down on the same level as the children, Lekic makes sure that his patients understand their health conditions. “I explain to them that they’re not alone and it makes them feel better. This is the first ingredient to success when dealing with kids: to not be enemies.” He finds that the toughest part about treating children is when they have health conditions that we don’t yet have a cure for.

After working as a pediatric dentist for 25 years, Lekic is still thrilled to be doing his work. “I’ve had four back surgeries and my thought is always, when can I go back to work? When your heart is in something, how can you be taken away from it?” He comes from an entire family of dentists, too: his father, his wife, and his two children are all dentists. They each have an infectious passion for their work.

“It’s all about the kids,” Lekic said firmly. “Their smiles after getting treatment are worth a million dollars. The warmth and joy that their smiles bring is overwhelming… this is what makes me a happy person, proud to call myself a pediatric dentist” 



0 Comments
<<Previous

    Share Your Story:

    Do you have a story with Misericordia to share? We'd love to hear it!
    Visit Share Your Stories to get started!

    Archives

    September 2017
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    September 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Categories

    All
    Angel Squad
    Buhler Eye Care Centre
    Donor Stories
    Easy Street
    Foundation Stories
    Legacy Gifts
    Long Term Care
    Long-term Care
    MHC Foundation Board
    Patient Stories
    Pediatric Dental Surgery
    PRIME
    Staff Stories
    Videos
    Volunteer Stories
    Your Fundraisers

    Never miss a story! Subscribe to our blog feed:

    RSS Feed

Mailing Address

Misericordia Health Centre Foundation

99 Cornish Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 1A2 Canada
Tel: 204-788-8458
Fax: 204-774-0766
Email:

mhcfoundation@misericordia.mb.ca
Charitable Registration Number: 11904 2174 RR0001


FAQ's

Stay in Touch With Us

Picture
Picture
Picture

    sign up for our email newsletter

Submit
Picture
Visit the Misericordia Health Centre Website