A reception was held Friday in honour of 30 Sunrise Health Region employees, some of whom have retired, and the rest have reached milestones in their lengths of employment.
The Kamsack Employee Recognition Awards reception was one of about 20 such receptions being held across the Region to honour a total of about 550 employees, including 14 doctors, who have retired in the past year or have reached years-of-employment milestones based in five-year increments.
Held at the Kamsack Seniors’ Centre, the reception, with Lorelee Davis as emcee, began with a meal catered by Craig Kosowkosky of The Iron Grill restaurant.
After welcoming everyone to the reception, which is held annually, Davis introduced special guests: Dr. Philip Fourie of the Region’s medical staff; Lorelie Stusick; Dave Schappert, board member, and Sharon Clark, the director of health services south.
“It’s great to acknowledge all of you here,” Suann Laurant, president and CEO, said in a video message. “We have so much to celebrate.”
Laurant thanked “each and every one” for their contributions to the Region’s health care and thanked them on behalf of the other staff and clients. Addressing the retirees, she said that it had been well deserved.
“We are all responsible for the changes we want to see,” she said.
The video included congratulatory comments from patients, including a new mother and an elderly resident, and committee members.
Following the meal of barbecue ribs and chicken, “Katrina,” the district’s best-known comedian as portrayed by Nadia Reibin, kept the crowd laughing as she delivered a series of jokes, in a broad old-country rural accent, at the expense of her “husband” Metro and included the topics of aging, societal changes and sexuality or the lack of it.
Assisted by Marion Matechuk, Davis introduced each of the employees recognized who were attending the reception and a gift was presented to each.
Employees who were to have been recognized for five years of service were: Christy Auchstaetter, Barb Barton, Santana Cote, Lionel Dutchak, Amber Leis and Pamela Vorstermans Agar.
Those who have worked for 10 years are: Dwayne Bebenek, Breanna Morin, Carol Paul, Penny Rezansoff and Laurie Zbeetnoff.
Recipients of 15-year service records were: Karen Chutskoff, Loretta Erhardt, Gail Koreluik, Sharon Monich, Margaret Tysowski, Patricia Yagelniski and Shellene Zolkavich.
Marilyn Chubey and Dawn Krawetz were honoured for 25 years employment.
Sonia Hordichuk, Wanda Kazakoff and Janet Klapatiuk were the recipients of 30-year awards.
Deborah Cottenie received an award for having worked 35 years.
Ernest Hordichuk and Patricia Kryklywicz were introduced for an employment record of 40 years, and Dr. Michael Bishop was to have been recognized for a 50-year career.
The retirees were Frances Bowes, Deborah Cottenie and Arlene Tataryn. Each of them, in addition to hearing a testimonial regarding her career, was presented with an Inukshuk ornament to serve as a symbolical reminder of “our dependence on one another and the importance of strong relationships.”
