The Burntwood Regional Health Authority's (BRHA) annual general meeting was held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Thompson on Nov. 25. The event was a chance for the board of directors to share the work they've done this past year with the public and for chief executive officer Gloria King to explain the strides the organization is looking to make in the future.
Danielle Adams, representing Churchill riding NDP MP Niki Ashton, Bobbi Montean, representing MLA Steve Ashton, Thompson Mayor Tim Johnston and representatives from Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and Keewatin Tribal Council all echoed the same sentiments that the BRHA's "Northern Health in Northern Hands" philosophy is important to the North. They also expressed understanding of the challenges the BRHA faces, including a shortage of doctors and nurses who are willing to work in the North and stay in the North.
Marie O'Neill, associate deputy minister of Manitoba Health and Healthy Living, who served as head of the BRHA from October 2006 to March 2008, expressed her enthusiasm about the accomplishments the BRHA has made in the 2008-2009 year, including acquiring new funds to support he reopening of beds in the hospital, the opening of evening clinics in March at the Burntwood Community Health Resource Centre, and the toll-free phone number the BRHA implemented for health information. She also mentioned the fact that the Thompson General Hospital's acquired brain injury unit has reached 100 per cent occupancy and the partnerships the organization has had with Lynn Lake and Leaf Rapids to provide dental and retinal services to the remote communities.
Duke Beardy, whose term as chair of the board of directors ended on Dec. 1, talked in his report about the impact that the H1N1 influenza has had on Northerners this year.
CEO Gloria King started off her annual general report by discussing the success the BRHA has had thanks to Dr. Hussam Azzam, who moved to Thompson in August 2008 to take a position as vice-president of medical services and chief of staff while also working two days a week as an obstetrician/gynecologist. She says it's thanks to Azzam that the BRHA was able to partner with the faculty of medicine at the University of Manitoba to have the Thompson General Hospital a university appointed site with university appointed lecturers for training purposes.
Rajinder Thethy, the chief financial officer at the BRHA, gave the financial report at the annual general meeting as well. Capital assets of the BRHA this year totaled $58,688,497, as compared to last year's $57,948,690. The balance of net assets at the end of the year added up to $5,800,998 in net assets invested in capital assets; $196,375 in restricted donations; $2,346,258 in unrestricted donations.
Revenue for the year ending on March 31 amounted to $81,179,234. The excess deficiency of revenue over expenses for the year was at $463,301. The BRHA's total operational costs for the year totaled $80,715,933.
After Thethy's report board members, BRHA staff and guests were regaled with stories from keynote speaker David Courchene, an elder and spiritual leader who has been promoting traditional aboriginal values and healing for over 20 years.
