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Each month, we will introduce you to members of the Family Centred Care Council and NICU Family Advisory Care Team. This month we feature one of our longest serving staff members on the NICU FACT, Amanda Schroeder, Social Worker.
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MEMBERSHIP CORNER - AMANDA SCHROEDER
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 | | NICU Social Worker, Amanda Schroeder with Bella |
What brought you to FACT?
I've been a member of FACT since I was approached by Denise Clarke, one of the founding members of FACT, when the committee was in its early stages. The whole concept of FACT sounded very intriguing and as a big believer in family-centered care, I knew that Social Work (from both the Royal Alex and David Schiff sites) needed to have a voice on the committee. As my primary work as a Social Worker at the David Schiff NICU is supporting the families of our little patients, I loved the idea of being involved in a group of other disciplines and NICU parents that all have the same goal of making the NICU a better place for patients, parents, and families. It's been wonderful to witness and be a part of some of the amazing initiatives that FACT has already completed.
What is one thing that you would like network members to know about you?
Many people may already know this about me, but my favorite way to unwind is to bake and cook. A few years ago, I started a food blog called Once Upon a Recipe where I cook/bake, take pretty photos, and share the recipes. My dream is to open a bakery or write a cookbook one day. I recently traveled to Thailand where I took a cooking class, and I can't wait to try to recreate all the recipes I learned at home! My kitchen is my happy place.
What is something that FCC has done (past or present) that you are most excited about?
I am consistently amazed by all that the dedicated members of FACT have been able to accomplish over the past few years. I think the peer support initiatives that are happening in various areas are wonderful. I help to run Parent Coffee Hour every week for the NICU/PICU/PCICU at the Stollery and have witnessed the positive impact of the parent volunteer role. I am very involved in the antenatal consults process, as many of the babies require transfer to the David Schiff NICU after birth. I am looking forward to seeing what comes of the perinatal peer support initiative, as I think many families could benefit from this support. Keep up the great work, NICU FACT!
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As you are probably aware, the Government of Canada has introduced new legislation to discourage spam. We want to make sure you keep hearing about the great work being done in Family Centred Care at the Stollery Children's Hospital. You may soon receive a request to confirm you wish to continue receiving this primer and other communication from Family Centred Care. Watch for it and click it!!! We don't want to lose you!
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Did you miss a couple editions of the Stollery Family Centred Care Primer? Do you want to re-read about some the great accomplishments families, staff and physicians have been able to make working together?
We are pleased to bring to an archive of all of each edition of the Primer since January, 2013.
To view previous editions, just click on this link:
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ONLINE FCC NETWORK MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
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Do you know anyone who would be interested in being part of the FCC Network? We've made it easier than ever to join!
Forward this primer by clicking:
Interested members can apply online or on their Smartphones or tablets by clicking on the following link:
Or by scanning the bar code above!
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 | Parents, Susan and Jesse Haddock, discuss the Baby Milestones calendar with Marni Panas on Global Edmonton
Wednesday, June 11, 2014. |
Susan and Jesse Haddock shared how important the new Baby Milestones Calendars and stickers have been to their family since their twin girls arrived at 30 weeks gestation with Health Matters Reporter, Su-Ling Goh, on Global Edmonton on Wednesday, June 11, 2014. The news story also included a visit to W. P. Wagner High School to see and hear from students who were involved in this great initiative of the NICU Family Advisory Care Team.
Here is the story that appeared in our May, 2014 Primer which introduced this initiative to you:
Most families of newborns are very familiar with the "Baby's First" type books and calendars out there. But for a family with a baby in the NICU, their "Firsts" are much different.
Families face much stress and anxiety day to day in the NICU. So much is happening that milestones might pass without them realizing the significance of the moment. To recognize and celebrate the important achievements that the babies make during their journey in the NICU, the NICU Family Advisory Care Team (FACT) came up with a brilliant initiative. Students of the W. P. Wagner High School Design & Communications 20 & 30 class (Instructor: Leona Bjarnason) took on the task of designing graphics for 48 stickers representing these milestones. Families apply these stickers to a specially designed calendar to highlight these special moments. Marni Panas, Coordinator, Family Centred Care, worked with the students in their classroom where they learned about the NICU environment and what is involved in caring for our babies and their families.
Congratulations to NICU FACT on a truly collaborative community initiative. Especially to the "Baby Milestones Working Group" family member and Co-Chair, Alan MacDairmid, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, Tara Follet and Denise Clark, on your creativity and leadership on this initiative.
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We look forward to seeing many NICU Graduates, Families and colleagues at the 2nd annual Northern Alberta Neonatal Program Fun Run in the Park! The support we recieved in 2013 was overwhelming, raising more than $20,000 for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation. This year's event takes place from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Saturday, September 20 at Gold Bar Park (10955 - 50 Street, Edmonton).
To register to participate in either the 5KM fun run or 2km walk, please click on this link:
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INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITY: NICU FELLOWS ORIENTATION, TRAINING & OSCE PREPARATIONS
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Are you interested in having a real impact on how future Neonatologists communicate with families?
Engaging families in the training and development of NICU Fellows has proven to be a very positive experience for the Fellows while also being rewarding for the families who have participated. The Stollery's leadership in this area has been acknowledged nationally and internationally.
There are three ways you can participate.
NICU Fellows Orientation
This event involves a 90 minute presentation to and discussion with first year NICU Fellows during one of their academic half days. The next event is scheduled for Thursday, August 28 (11:00 - 12:30). We are looking for two family members to participate in this presentation.
NICU Fellows Communication & Role Playing
Four family members take part in role playing various scenarios with NICU Fellows. You will collaborate with a Neonatologist to evaluate the role playing engagements. The next role playing event will take place on the morning of Thursday, October 16.
NICU Fellows OSCE Preparation
Unique to the Edmonton NICU Fellows Education program is providing them with the ability to practice their examinations. These examinations involve the Fellows rotating through various stations within a specific time limit. Consults with families make up two of the stations. Your evaluation goes a long way to help steer the education of the Fellows through the rest of their experience in the Edmonton NICUs. The next OSCE preparation session will be scheduled in January, 2015.
Families who have participated in any of these events have found them to be very rewarding. You receive coaching and plenty of assistance preparing for these engagements so the only experience you need ... is the experience of being a parent in the NICU.
If you are interested in participating in another of these events, please contact:
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INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITY: PICU/PCICU QUALITY IMPROVEMENT UNIT COUNCIL WORKING GROUPS
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Families are invited to be part of one of the new Quality Improvement Unit Council working groups in the PICU/PCICU! These working groups will begin working on:
- Hand Hygiene/Infection Control
- Medication Management
- Early Mobilization and Pressure Ulcers (Wound Care)
- Central Line Infections
The family perspective in these and many other areas is crucial to improving the quality and safety of care provided to children.
If you are interested in participating in any of these working groups, please email:
StolleryFCC@albertahealthservices.ca
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INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITY: PARENTS OF PREEMIES FOCUS GROUP
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An important opportunity to make a difference in the future for children and families following discharge from hospital:
Participants (parents of infants born preterm, <38 weeks gestation) are needed for focus group interviews discussing parent support following discharge home from the hospital.
Parents with children born prematurely can have a challenging time during the transition from the high intensity hospital environment to the more isolated home environment.
We are recruiting families to fill out a brief questionnaire and share their experiences and opinions with us in order to help us understand more about what type of direct parental support would be most helpful in this transition period.
If eligible for the study, you will be required to attend one 2 hour focus group session in Edmonton with other parents of preterm infants.
This study is being conducted by the Northern Alberta Neonatal Program and has received approval from the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board (Pro00044432).
To find out more about the study and your eligibility to participate please contact:
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SNELP (Pediatric Nurse's Orientation)
Family members Karen Klak and Christina Herbers spent Monday, June 23rd role playing many scenarios with 19 new pediatric nurses. These sessions always inspire engaging conversations of both families and staff.
Wee Wonders Workshop
Family member, Jennifer Hanrahan, returned for the fifth time this year to present "Tiny Treasures in a Big Big World" to NICU nurses during what has proven to be a very popular education day. Jennifer's engaging story about her family's journey has become a big highlight of this event!
We have many exciting opportunities for families to make a difference by sharing your story. If you are interested in presenting at a future "Family Talk", please email:
marni.panas@albertahealthservices.ca
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