Miramichi Blog

FREE Screening of

Master and Commander
The Far Side of The World

DATE: Sunday, July 29th, 1pm at Empire Theatres in Douglastown

Free admission! Door Prizes!

Join us to watch this Academy Award Winning movie starring Russell Crowe. Presented by the Tall Ships Festival Committee

Natoaganeg – Eel Ground First Nation Pow Wow
July 19th – 22nd, 2007
More Info: view pdf poster

Thursday, July 19th
5:30 am: Sunrise Ceremony, Lighting of Sacred Fire. Talking Circle, and Blessing of Pow-Wow grounds.
7 am: Breakfast at the Community Centre.


Friday, July 20th
5:30 am: Sunrise Ceremony. Talking Circle – Pow Wow grounds.
7 am: Breakfast at the Community Centre.
9 am: Set up camp sites and concessions
4:30 pm: Supper at the Community Centre
7:30 pm: Pow-Wow Bingo
8:30 pm.: Social (Pow-Wow Grounds)

Saturday, July 21st
6:00 am: Sunrise Ceremony (Pow-Wow Grounds) – Talking Circle 7 am: Breakfast at the Community Centre
12:15 pm: Registration (dancers and drummers)
1 pm: Grand Entry – Prayer – Opening remarks
4:30 pm: Supper at Community Centre
6 pm: Retiring of Flags (Pow-Wow Grounds)
8:30 pm: Social (Pow-Wow Grounds)
10:30 pm: Fireworks Display (Pow-Wow Grounds)

Sunday, July 22nd
6:00 am: Sunrise Ceremony (Pow-Wow Grounds) – Talking Circle
7 am: Breakfast at the Community Centre
11:30 am: Registration (dancers and drummers)
12 pm: Grand Entry – Prayer
3:30 pm: Give-away
4:30 pm: Retiring of Flags – Closing remarks
5:30 pm: Feast at the Community Centre.

* A Pow-Wow is an alcohol and drug free event.
More Info: view pdf poster

Miramichi Medical Day Clinic Doctor moves office to private practice

As a means to expand his practice and meet the health care needs of the community, Dr. Amos Kpogo will be relocating his medical practice from the Miramichi Medical Day Clinic to a private office located in the Newcastle Jean Coutu building in Miramichi effective Tuesday, July 3^rd .

“I would like to expand my practice to new patients within the next few weeks as well as continue to provide care to my patients from the Miramichi Medical Day Clinic,” says Dr. Kpogo. He says the flexibility of his own practice will help meet the health care needs of the Miramichi population. He says he has also accepted the Miramichi Regional Health Authority’s Telephone Patient Registry list. “My support staff will be contacting these individuals in the near future to determine if they are still in need of a family doctor,” says Dr. Kpogo.

“The relocation of Dr. Kpogo will not disrupt or interfere with care of patients registered and seen at the Miramichi Medical Day Clinic,” says Marilyn Underhill, vice-president of professional services who is responsible for overseeing the health clinics in the region. She says the only difference is that they will be seeing Dr. Kpogo in his own office rather than the clinic.

“The collaborative practice between Kr. Kpogo and the two nurse practitioners working at the Miramichi Medical Day Clinic will continue,” says Underhill. She says that patient charts of those under the care of the nurse practitioner will remain at the Miramichi Medical Day Clinic and they will continue to see the nurse practitioners at the clinic.

Patient charts under the care of Dr. Kpogo will be transferred to his new office location.

Underhill says that a physician has been secured to work in the Miramichi Medical Clinic on a part-time basis effective July 3^rd. “This doctor will support the nurse practitioners.”

For further information, patients of the Miramichi Medical Day Clinic can contact 627-7529 and individuals requiring a family doctor whose name is not on the Telephone Patient Registry List can call Dr. Kpogo’s office at 836-0189.

Labels: hospital

Mango names first child ‘Champion of the Community’


Grade 2 student Dylan Howe has been named Mango’s latest Champion of the Community. Dylan has Type 1 Diabetes. He was diagnosed when he was five years old.

“We are pleased to recognize Dylan with our Mango Champion of the Community recognition,” says Mango coordinator and dietician Jacqueline Noseworthy. Dylan has had to make lifestyle changes because of his diabetes, she adds.

Mango’s latest initiative, Mango Champion of the Community sees Mango recognizing and profiling members of the region who are living as Mango encourages the community to live: eating well and being active.

Dylan’s Story

Dylan attends Croft Elementary School. He is a Type 1 Diabetic. Type 1 diabetes occurs when certain specialized parts of the pancreas, known as islet cells, are destroyed and no longer produce insulin.

When first diagnosed, he used to need five needles per day. Then he received a new insulin pump. Now, he has a needle every three or four days to change the site of the pump.

His days are filled with watching what he eats. “Every day I count my carbs (carbohydrates) and my mom gives me so much insulin for the carbs I eat,” Dylan says. “It is important for me to eat a balanced diet that includes starch, protein, fruits and vegetables, and milk.”

It also helps for Dylan to be active, but when very active, he does have to continuously test his sugars to avoid them going low.

Dylan’s mother, Lisa, says he takes his diabetes very seriously. “He doesn’t complain and likes to talk to groups and others about what he is going through,” Lisa says. And Dylan’s future is simple for him. “I hope someday there will be a cure for it, but for now all I can do is try my best to keep it under control.”

Mango’s Champion of the Community is brought to you by McDonald’s restaurants: working with Mango to recognize healthy champions in our community.

Mango is a population-health based community program that promotes healthy eating and active living throughout the region. Its’ goal is to decrease overweight and obesity by 10% by the year 2008 through initiatives such as this one.

Labels: Mango, youth

Ian Bailee students make donation to pediatric unit


Children admitted to the pediatric unit of the Miramichi Regional Hospital will never be bored thanks to a group of grade three students from the Ian Bailie Elementary School. Katelynn Lebreton, Caitlin Malley, and Emily Watling from Mrs. Hill’s grade three class wanted to do something for the community and approached their teacher Natalie Corcoran.

“They wanted to help the community and more importantly help children so through discussion, it was decided they would organize a toy drive for the pediatric unit,” says Corcoran. She says the girls developed the memo that was sent home to parents and prepared the donation boxes. “The response was overwhelming.”

The girls proudly presented their donation which included movies, personal items such as toothbrushes, hairclips and socks, books, puzzles and activity books. “We are very thankful for this generous donation and congratulate the students on their initiative to help sick children,” says Marybeth MacArthur, nurse manager of the pediatric department. She says these items will make a sick child smile.

Labels: hospital

Summary of June 25, 2007 Board and Annual Meeting

The Miramichi Regional Health Authority Board of Directors held its monthly and annual general meetings June 26, 2007 at the Miramichi Regional Hospital. The following are highlights of the meetings:

1. Financial Summary

The Miramichi Regional Health Authority ended the 2006-2007 fiscal year with a deficit of $136,904 after amortization, endowment fund and provision for working capital funding.

The main contributors to the deficit include locum fees, recruitment costs of new physicians, impact of high patient acuity and bed occupancy, high medication costs and the continued implementation of transferred approved programs. The shortfall in the overall approved funding is also creating pressure on the deficit.

The Miramichi Regional Health Authority is committed to providing quality care and services in the region while continuing to be fiscally responsible through its comprehensive budgeting and financial management processes.

The 2005-2006 financial statements of the Miramichi Regional Health Authority were audited by KPMG LLP Chartered Accountants. The contract with KPMG Chartered Accountants has expired and a request for tender has been issued to obtain an auditing service for the next three years.

Enhancements to this year’s operational budget

The Board approved enhancements to its health and business plan that address the health authority’s service and human resource needs which are based on population health statistics and service requirements. The additional $1.3 million will be added to its operational budget.

2. New Chairperson appointed at Annual Meeting

Following the regular Board Meeting, the Annual Meeting of the Miramichi Regional Health Authority was held. Chairperson, Russell Whitney highlighted the many accomplishments achieved during the past year. As outgoing chairperson, he said it was a privilege to lead the Miramichi Regional Health Authority in partnership with a dedicated Board and senior management team during a year of so many achievements. “I would like to thank all of the staff at the Miramichi Regional Health Authority, physicians and volunteers for their untiring work for health care on the Miramichi. Your contributions do make a significant difference. It is you that put the ‘care’ in healthcare.” He gave special thanks to past Board chairperson and outgoing member Patrick Finnigan for his commitment to health care; to Gary Foley, president and CEO for his dedication, honesty, hardwork and commitment to ensure patients are always put first in decision making; and to the Board for their support, guidance and their volunteer commitment to the betterment of those living in the Miramichi.”

He said the Board was pleased with the health authority’s many successes and are enthusiastic about working with their partners and the community to achieve their vision of healthier people, healthier communities.

Georges Savoie was elected the new Board chairperson, replacing outgoing chairperson, Russell Whitney. Mr. Savoie, a resident of Néguac has served on the Regional Health Authority’s Board of Directors for the past seven years and last year held the position of Vice Chairperson. His executive committee includes Ian Grant, vice chairperson, Tilly Gordon, secretary, and Judy Morrison, treasurer.

Patrick Finnigan from Rogersville did not reoffer his position and a replacement has not yet been named.

Other members of the Board include Russell Whitney of Whitneyville, Joseph McIntyre of Baie Ste. Anne, Roland Walls of Blackville, Mike Coster of Miramichi, Serge Robichaud of Néguac, Jim Jessop of Bartibogue, Joseph Thompson of Miramichi, Christine Augustine of Eel Ground, Omer MacKenzie of Blackville, and Gérard Robichaud of Néguac.

Outgoing Board chairperson, Russell Whitney was thanked for his tireless dedication to improving health services in the Miramichi and his commitment to the Miramichi Regional Health Authority.

3. Recruitment Update

Gary Foley, president and CEO updated the Board on physician recruitment. He was pleased to inform them that an urologist will be arriving in August which will increase the compliment of urologists to two. Emergency medicine physician, Dr. Genevieve Forest will also be joining the health authority in July. Discussions are ongoing with an internist and a radiologist.

Labels: hospital