Recently we passed two somber anniversaries, the first being March 5/2021, which is the day the first case of COVID 19 was confirmed in Alberta. The second date was March 11/2021, when WHO, World Health Organization announced the Global COVID Pandemic.

I mention these anniversaries to say we’ve come a long way since the unprecedented health issue started possibly late in 2019.

Never before has it been so true to say, “we got this” and we will come out of it on top.

Healthcare has proven once again that “Together is Better” and because we are a team, we have each other for support and we will create opportunities to move forward each and every day.

I’m proud and honoured to say I’m part of a team who have stood up to the challenge to ensure the safety and health of all going forward.

This summer will mark forty years I’ve worked in Healthcare. The last twenty-seven working at Foothills Hospital as a nurse, first as an LPN, Licenced Practical Nurse up to 2000 at which time I went back to school and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 2004.

I’ve had the privilege to work on teams such as the Neuro and Emergency portfolios. It was on those teams that I grew up as a Nurse. It was there that we learned the true meaning of teamwork.

Many people have heard me say that I’ve never had a full bad day. Sure, I’ve had had brief moments where things didn’t go quite the way we would have hoped but these times were far in between. I always left thinking I made a difference in some way. That is what my job as a Registered Nurse did for me.

In the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of a different team, that of the Local Union team. Although the focus was away from the bedside and more of a support for our colleagues it was no lesser of a team atmosphere. The support we offer our members is   because we have a tight group. Again, we enjoy what we do for the members.

I can actually say that the staff I’ve worked with over the years may be colleagues but a great deal of them have become friends. For this reason, I feel honoured to have worked with you all in the health care team. Thank you to each and every one of you for what you do and how proud you made me feel being on the Healthcare team.

Finally, I’m glad and sad to say I’m retiring at the end of September 2021. It’s been an amazing ride. Please remember I will always be on your side and at your side.

Yours truly.

Wayne Stopa RN BN

Local 115 Vice President