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MDR Week Oct 12-18

MDRANS would like to acknowledge Medical Device Reprocessing Week and all Medical Device Reprocessing Technician’s for the excellent service they provide in patient care.

Most health care workers have heard about the MDR department but have very little knowledge of the work that occurs behind closed doors. This week is about raising awareness and appreciation for all the work that is preformed by MDR to reduce the spread of infection, keep our patients safe and assure quality products are delivered.

We hope all MDR Departments across Nova Scotia get the opportunity to celebrate and showcase the hard work that goes into reprocessing medical devices, so our patients receive the care that they need.

MDRANS executive would like to send out a special thank you to all Medical Device Reprocessing Technician’s and teams across Nova Scotia for their excellent service!

2019 Nominations

President- Unopposed Incumbent

Debbie Church

Since November 2018, I have held the position of MDR supervisor at the IWK Health Centre

I began my career in the Medical Device Reprocessing Department at the QEII Health Sciences Center at the Halifax Infirmary Site in 1997. I was the Resource person for MDR for seven years, and in that capacity worked very closely with the Nursing Units and Clinics. Being a Resource for MDR led to the responsibility of training all new staff that started as Technician’s in the department and from January 2008 to March 2009 I was the dedicated Charge person – and as such dealt with the day to day operations of our unit. In March of 2009, I began a new role as the MDR Staff Developer, where I was responsible to provide education, training and competency testing for all MDR Staff within Central Zone. In the past I chaired the Policies & Procedures for Capital District Health Authority and am presently working with many of our Provincial Managers to develop provincial policies & procedures. I also Chair the Provincial Standard Operating Procedures for NSHA and IWK, as well as collaborate with Infection Prevention and Control to complete yearly audits throughout the district as well as educational sessions to staff throughout the Central Zone.

I have been an active member of MDRANS, formerly known as the CSANS for close to 20 years. In 2008 I joined the executive committee where I was the Secretary until I was elected in 2013 as the Vice President for two terms and then in 2017 as President. During my 11 years on the MDRANS Executive, I have been part of planning conferences, education sessions, and helping with the selection process for awarding scholarships.

I am very dedicated to providing education and learning opportunities for all Member of MDRANS.

The past two years I have enjoyed my roles as President of MDRANS and would like to have the opportunity to serve as president for another term.

Vice President- Unopposed Incumbent

Becky White

Rebecca White has worked in MDR for the Nova Scotia Health Authority for the past 25 years. She is currently the Technical Supervisor for the MDR department at the Halifax Infirmary. She has been a member of MDRANS for approximately 20 years and has been active on the MDRANS Executive filling the roles of Secretary, Treasurer, President, Vice President & Past President.

She also is a member of Canadian Association of Medical Device Reprocessing (CAMDR) and currently sits on the board as the Secretary. Rebecca is an avid runner and can often be seen participating in various running events around Nova Scotia and is currently training to compete in the Disney Princess Challenge in February 2020.

Treasurer- Candidates

Tracy Laba

I began my career at Nova Scotia Health Authority in 2014 in Food and Nutrition. After stumbling upon the Sterile Processing Department in a back hallway on the way to the hospital cafeteria, I was immediately intrigued, I had no idea the preparation required for surgery. I started my journey as a tech in training in 2015, completed my training through Perdue University and became a member of Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Nova Scotia. I continued my studies to become certified through IAHCSMM in February 2017.  As my interest grew with medical instrumentation,   I pursued my certification as a Certified Instrument Tech in November 2017. Currently I am studying to become a Certified Endoscope Reprocessor.

I am completely hooked on the science of our industry and love to share what I learn.  Currently I hold the resource position for General and Plastics at the Halifax Infirmary were I have had the opportunity to train new staff and serve on the Standard Operating Procedure Working Group.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of the MDRANS group and help bring opportunities for training and education to my fellow Medical Device Technicians.

In my free time I enjoy playing softball, and spending time at the beach with my family.

 

Angela Whitney

I began my career with the Medical Device Reprocessing department at Valley Regional Hospital in January of 2004. I completed my Vancouver Community College technicians course,CSA CMDRT course and the Purdue CSR Leadership course.

I have been the Team Leader at Valley Regional Hospital for 8 1/2 years.

I serve on the Standard operating procedures committee and Quality board. I have trained many staff over the years.

I participate in as many educational opportunities as possible. I have taken a infection control course along with many other certificates.

I have attended all of the MDRANS conferences for many years. I attended a scope conference in 2014 along with other educational sessions in Halifax.

I co-hosted and helped organize the 2009 conference held at the Old Orchard Inn.

I had the opportunity to attend the CAMDR conference in Halifax. I really enjoyed meeting colleagues from all over Canada and the USA.

I presently serve on the board for the Fundy View community centre in Halls Harbour,where I help organize and work on community projects.

I live in Halls Harbour with my husband of 31 years. I have a daughter and a son who are married to two wonderful people. I have a new Grandson who lights up my life. I love spending time with my family,friends and two beautiful Bernese Mt dogs. I also enjoy my walking and biking groups and spending time on the beach.

Secretary Candidates

Allison Cleveland

I began my career in Medical Device Reprocessing in the fall of 2014. Less than a week before I was due to begin my second year at Saint Francis Xavier University I was presented with information about a career in MDR. I was instantly fascinated and immediately switched my career path. I completed my MDR Technicians course through Saskatchewan Polytechnic by 2016 and by February 2017 I was a certified MDRT through CSA. I have just recently completed the “Central Service Leadership” course through Purdue University. I am absolutely fascinated by my profession and am always looking on ways to build on my education and stay up to date with this ever-changing career path.

I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to be part of the MDRANS executive as Secretary from September 2018-September 2019—I got to learn just how much work goes into planning conferences and other events hosted by MDRANS.

Currently, I am the Team Lead for MDR at the SSRH site on the South Shore.

I currently live in Lunenburg and in my free time I enjoy spending time with my dog (Peanut), hiking, and travelling.

Shelley Bennett

15 years ago I began my career in Medical Device Reprocessing when I completed my Sterile Processing Technician Course through Purdue University.

I spent 2 years working as a casual at the Victoria General Hospital until I found my home at the IWK Health Centre M.D.R Department. I am now the Vice President of our Education Committee, where we raise funds to send M.D.R staff to conferences and fund M.D.R related courses.

I am also a member of our Quality Planning Committee with the responsibility of updating training modules and being a preceptor for new staff. I recently became the Unifor Union Stewart for the M.D.R department at the IWK.

When I’m not at work I love spending time with my two children, 11year old son and 3 year old daughter on our many adventures as we wonder through life.

Call for Nominations

On September 21-22, 2019, the MDRANS Biennial Conference and General Meeting

will be held at the Atlantica Hotel and Marina, Oak Island on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.

An Election of the MDRANS Executive will be taking place on Sept 22/19.

As stated in the MDRANS Bylaws:

Terms of Office – President, Vice President, Secretary and

Treasurer of the Executive Committee shall be elected. An

elected officer of the MDRANS shall hold office for two (2)

years from the date of election at the Biennial General

Meeting. No member of the Executive shall hold the same

office for more than two consecutive terms. Both President

and Vice President Position shall be separate identities.

As required in the By-laws, there will be elections for the following:

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Please refer to the MDRANS Bylaws for duties of the Executive Officers.

If you are interested in nominating a current MDRANS active member in good standing, please submit your nomination in writing to:

Danny LeBlanc – MDRANS Past President

Medical Device Reprocessing Department

Valley Regional Hospital

150 Exhibition St. Suite 1608

Kentville, NS B4N 5E3

danny.leblanc@nshealth.ca

THE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS AUGUST 21, 2019

Save the Date

Planning is well underway for our Biennial Conference. It will be held on Sept.20-22, 2019 at the Oak Island Inn in Chester Basin.

Stay Tuned for more details…….

MDR in the news

* Team members promoting our profession *

Through the outreach of two CMDRTs (Barry Pickrem and Wanda Warwick) at the VG Site, Jenn Coleman-Ford, communications advisor with the QEII Foundation worked with CTV news House Calls to produce a small segment highlighting the great work done by the department and how they support the surgical teams.

The segment airs this Monday, March 12, 2018 on CTV News Live at Five, Housecalls segment (it’s usually on between 5 and 5:30).