The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance doled out the funds to finance a series of innovation efforts recently.
Last distributed in early 2020 pre-pandemic, the innovation grants are something president and CEO Lori Marshall loves to see.
“These grants are something we implemented a few years ago to give staff, physicians, volunteers and patient advisors a way to help make changes at CKHA that can benefit patients or the work life at CKHA,” she said. “I am always amazed at the submissions.
Grants this year were handed out for items such as Indigenous art, a proposal to reduce the number of visits to emergency departments by Alzheimer’s patients, and a “Whoot-Whoot Wagon.”
Brandon Ball of the Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent’s idea for subsidized respite care for patients with dementia won the $10,000 grant category.
Additional tools and resources will be provided to be better able to assess and treat clients that the Alzheimer’s Society of C-K serves, and will ensure ASCK is better equipped to help their client’s manage avoidable visits and admissions to hospital.
It was one of nine ideas submitted for the $10,000 grant. All seven submissions for the $1,000 grants were approved.
Included in these categories was the submission for Indigenous art, as well as the Whoot-Whoot Wagon.
According to a media release, “this cart of kindness, recognition and spirit will travel around the hospital randomly recognizing our staff, volunteers, and physicians.”
As for the artwork, Marshall sees it as a great initiative.
“Indigenous art at both sites fits well with equity, diversity and anti-racism,” Marshall said.
