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Health Services Committe History
Health Services Committe History
Return to Health Support Committe Page
The “Health Services Committee” was an original committee for the benefit of Residents, presented by the WCL Staff and information provided was somewhat of a repeat of information provided to the Board of Westminster Canterbury. After several years, it was felt that Staff repetition of this information was not sufficiently beneficial to continue and it was abandoned. At the Residents Council meeting of June, 2020 Chuck Steffen was asked by then Chair Wylie Wright to consider putting together a health committee that could provide information and be functional in an educational manner for residents. This was brought up at the July 2020 Council meeting. It was suggested that the role of the revived Health Services Committee would be an action committee aimed at acquainting new residents with what health services were offered at Westminster Canterbury and how to access them. This was adopted by the Resident Council. Other medically qualified and non medical residents were asked to join.
One of the first projects developed was to be aware of those who live independently and alone and were considering some type of “buddy” system in case they needed help. This process was able to be done. Another suggestion was to have urgent medical information readily available in order to facilitate emergency care for the IL Residents. This was modeled after the “Vial of Life” , a National Program. Updated medical information would be in a provided magnetic identifiable folder in a visible spot in their household upon entrance. A copy would also in the clinic so whomever is on call will have access to it. If an individual needed hospital transport, the important Next Of Kin (NOK), CPR status, medications, allergies, insurance, etc. will be available in the plastic envelope to be in a visible place. In general, it was also the purpose of this committee to provide more information to the residents through the Weekly updates, Monthly publication, Confab meetings and other notices to inform residents, answer questions, address health issues raised at Resident Council listening sessions, and provide as much help as needed regarding any changes at WCL.
The committee created a form that was approved and now provided to all residents when they enter WCL. Residents are asked to fill it out with necessary medical and contact information, medications, CPR status and a brief medical history. This form is kept in the plastic envelope and a copy to Resident Live & Wellness.
The Health Services Committee has been renamed The Resident Health Support Committee. The group meets monthly and is now composed of Chuck Steffen, Charlie Driscoll, MD, Kent Webster, Bill Gayle, MD, Janet Lancaster (Nurse anesthetist), Wayne Coleman, DDS, Linda Paulson, RN, Tricia Price, DO, Joe Pond, MD, Eric Sorenson, MD, and Lisa Martin, Staff Director of Resident Wellness and Life.