Akasu Palliative Care Society Creates new Initiatives

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

The Akasu Palliative Care Board has worked very hard for the past year, creating a safe place for palliative patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital, offering educational opportunities, and fostering community connections, were the words of Chairperson Charlene Melenka at the Akasu Palliative Care Society Annual General Meeting at Senior Citizens Sunshine Club of Vegreville.

There were 749 volunteer hours for the 2024/2025 Fiscal Year.

Melenka went on to express that the community benefited from several new initiatives. New furniture was purchased for the Palliative Care rooms at St. Joseph’s Hospital, sheepskins were bought for comfort for the patients, and a great relationship between St. Joseph’s Hospital and Akasu has been created. 

A new relationship between Mundare Mary Immaculate Hospital and Akasu has been formed, with the help of the new Chaplain Dwayne Buhler. “We hope to create a palliative suite in Mary Immaculate Hospital. Generous donations from the community at large have enabled Akasu to do some amazing comfort care for palliative patients within the Vegreville/Mundare area. The new Terms of Reference have created a strong focus for the group and ensure member safety when volunteering.”

Melenka closed by saying that she is wanted to express gratitude to the Board of Akasu Palliative Care Society. “This group is such a blessing to the community. The ability to see what needs are in the community and then to take action is the strength of this board. As a group the commitment to patient care and comfort is the primary focus due to the caring nature of you all. This year we lost a very close and dear friend, Barb Bienvenue. The silence from her corner of the table has been noticed, but I believe she is still supporting us in her heavenly role.”

After this were the Executive and Board Member Elections were held, where Charlene Melenka was acclaimed as Chairperson, Ardythe Butler as Vice-Chairperson, Anita Wilson as Treasurer, Charlene Melenka as Facebook Manager, and Website Manager.

Fern Giebelhaus was appointed as Secretary, and Tracy Benoit agreed to be a new member.