Spirit River Pharmacy Team:
Dionne Hjelsing, Kris Cruikshank, Divying Patel
Community: Spirit River
A trio of pharmacists from Spirit River are known for going the extra mile to ensure community members receive their appropriate prescriptions.
In recognition of their efforts, Dionne Hjelsing, Kris Cruikshank, Divying Patel were recently nominated for a Rhapsody Rural Healthcare Heroes Award, an annual award established by RhPAP to recognize rural healthcare providers that demonstrate superior commitment to their patients, healthcare team and community.
“It is not beyond our pharmacists to drive a medication out to a remotely located patient if they have no transportation or are home on self-isolation,” doctors from the Central Peace Health Centre in Spirit River wrote in supporting the nomination.
Hjelsing works as a hospital-based pharmacist, while Cruikshank and Patel each work at different retail pharmacies in town. All cooperate to ensure patients’ medication needs are met and on time.
John Schramm had trouble getting his heart arrhythmia under control. He eventually found a medication that worked but ran low before a weekend. Cruikshank discovered there were none available in the Peace Country.
“Kris drove to Mayorthorpe [376 km south] after work Friday and met the courier van coming from Edmonton so John could have his proper meds in the morning,” says his wife, Kim.
“Then Kris worked Saturday—always above and beyond.”
Goldie Ross was impressed when Patel was able to help her son with a severe foot issue. He didn’t hesitate to dig deeper into the type of infection and dosage with the physician before tweaking the prescription.
“We just love having Div with his wealth of knowledge and friendly demeanour,” she writes. “His staff are always so welcoming and knowledgeable.”
Laura McCullough works with Hjelsing as a registered nurse in emergency and acute care at the healthcare centre.
“Dionne is a very important part of our healthcare team in the hospital. She is available for questions not just for clients but for staff. [She’s] knowledgeable, willing to ‘let me look into that’ whenever asked. I have called or texted with questions when she isn’t even working and always gotten a response.”
McCullough also interacts with Cruikshank and Patel regularly.
“For me, these [three] individuals are a dependable, solid team that form part of the backbone of this community.”
Check out the full list of Rhapsody winners and nominees here.