The North East Local Health Integration Network awarded seven groups and people with its Healthy Change Champion award this year.
The LHIN compiled a year-end list of individuals who improved patients’ experiences across the northeast and several of the recipients are residents of the region including Donna Stewart of Espanola.
Stewart is the Director of Integrated Social Services at the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board.
Stewart spearheaded an initiative that provides mental health supports to people who are tenants of the board’s social housing.
The LHIN says Stewart’s project led the way to better serve a vulnerable group of people.
The LHIN also recognized three people who successfully introduced health care services in the Webbwood Public Library.
The three are Jake Marion who works at the library, John Brunetti of the Espanola Family Health Team and Aimee Belanger with Public Health Sudbury and Districts.
One service allows patients to remotely connect with doctors from the library using the Ontario Telemedicine Network which reduces the need to travel to the healthcare providers’ location.
The model the three introduced also allows for exercise classes at the library plus it also added cooking programs.