Mobile Health Van Expands Public Health Outreach
Fort McMurray, Alberta – On Monday, September 10th, the Northern Lights Health Foundation and Alberta Health Services North Zone Public Health were presented with a major gift from the Suncor Energy Foundation.
Suncor held its annual community reception at MacDonald Island and the Health Foundation was pleased to be noted as the recipient of one of the community gifts to mark the completion of the Fort Hills project. The funding is targeted to increase access to public health services in our region through the purchase and outfitting of a Mobile Health Unit.
The Mobile Health Unit will bring additional health care services to the rural communities of Wood Buffalo. Operated under the direction of Population Public Health, the unit will be outfitted to add capacity in oral health, community health, sexually transmitted infection testing, immunizations, infant/child wellness and health promotion activities.
AHS area manager for Population Public Health Jennifer Splaine and AHS Northern Lights Regional Health Centre director of patient care, Jordanna Lambert, were on hand with Health Foundation Board of Directors to acknowledge the funding.
“We are so pleased to be able to expand our services into the community with the acquisition of a mobile unit,” said Jennifer Splaine. “We have been using a cancer screening van which was scheduled to leave our region and now this funding allows us to purchase, refit, and utilize the van specifically for public health services.”
To help communities achieve greater sustainability, Suncor and the Suncor Energy Foundation invest in integrated initiatives that allow unconventional solutions to surface which are key to developing vibrant, sustainable communities — now and for generations to come. They support the development of people, organizations and processes needed to address community challenges.
“As part of the community, we are incredibly proud to support the great work that is being done to improve patient care,” said Lori Hewson, director of community investment, Suncor Energy Foundation. “Adding more mobile health services will benefit all residents and help enhance overall healthcare, contributing to a stronger Wood Buffalo region.”
“We want to commend the Suncor Energy Foundation for its commitment to healthcare in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo,” says Dr. Sandra Corbett, AHS Zone Medical Director, North Zone. “AHS is focused on community health and wellbeing and providing access to services to people in their home communities is critical. Suncor’s support to create the Mobile Health Unit will have a great benefit to the region and helps to fulfill our healthcare mission. We look forward to continue working with Suncor and the Northern Lights Health Foundation to improve care in this community.”
Melanie Antoine, board chair of the Northern Lights Health Foundation adds “We are very pleased to acknowledge and celebrate this gift from the Suncor Energy Foundation. Their leadership gifts are vital to maintain and improve the health of everyone in the region and we can clearly see the impact of their donations. We are helping to build strong, healthy communities. Together.”
Suncor’s Fort Hills mine is expected to directly employ 1,400 people, have a lifespan of 50 years and will be a major contributor to Alberta’s economy for generations.