Nurses at Cariboo Memorial Hospital and coworkers enjoyed lunch provided Tuesday by Williams Lake City Council in honour of National Nurses Week.
Coun. Marnie Brenner, who is a nurse herself, said providing lunch was a great initiative for the nurses who work so hard in the hospital and a good example for other organizations where nurses are employed.
Mayor Walt Cobb, who returned to work on Monday part-time after recuperating from a heart attack in early April, thanked the nurses.
“I don’t see anyone who was here when I came to emergency a month ago, but I certainly have an appreciation for the work that you do,” Cobb said. “This is the first time that we’ve ever been involved with celebrating nurses week and I don’t think I can say enough on behalf of council about the work that not only the nurses but all the staff in the hospital do.”
Cobb described CMH as a special organization with very dedicated staff.
David Matear, executive director for IH west clinical operations acknowledged the nurses for the work they do to take care of people both in the hospital and out in the community.
“Thank you for your nursing skills and what you do for the community,” Matear said, acknowledging everyone’s efforts for working through some of the challenges the hospital has been facing. “I am delighted to be here to show my appreciation and on behalf of Interior Health.”
Maternity nurse Kristen Megyesi from Vernon, has been working at CMH on a temporary assignment, and said it has been a very positive thing to see the maternity unit re-opened on April 30.
Read more: Maternity ward at CMH reopens
“I arrived before it re-opened and you could feel the tension,” Megyesi said before she enjoyed her lunch. “It has been a difficult transition, but everyone is pleased it is opened again.”
Originally from Quesnel, Megyesi worked in the maternity ward in CMH for three years before relocating to Vernon.
“It’s nice to be back,” she said, noting four babies have been born since the maternity unit re-opened.
Matear said it has been a collaborative effort with the nursing staff, aministration and physicians to see the ward open again.
“We still have temporary nursing staff coming in from other areas in IH and Alberta. It shows the willingness of others to help us. I have been very pleased.”
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