On November 4, 2015, Parkland at the Gardens hosted the annual Heart Heroes event, a fundraiser which recognizes those who touch the hearts of Maritimer’s and work to make a difference in supporting heart health. The proceeds of this event support the efforts of the Maritime Heart Centre; an organization dedicated to advancing heart disease prevention programs and treating those who suffer from heart disease. This is the third year that the event has been held at Parkland at the Gardens and the Parkland team couldn’t be happier to support such an important cause.

Dr. Camille Hancock Friesen, President of Maritime Heart Centre, was present for the event and gave a touching testimonial about past Parkland at the Gardens resident, Roy Steed, who passed away in August. Mr. Steed’s contributions to the Maritime Heart Centre were fundamental in advancing the organization to where it is today.

There were many laughs, tears and applause during the Heart Heroes testimonials. Heart Heroes who were recognized throughout the evening included: Eric Banks, Pamela Davidson, Ralph and Shirlee Medjuck and Dr. Howard Wightman, all who shared touching stories about their experiences with the Maritime Heart Centre and the impact the organization has made on their lives.

This event is so near to our hearts here at Shannex and we are happy to support such a wonderful cause. Thank you to all who attended and we hope to see you at next year’s annual Heart Heroes event![:fr]Désolé, cet article est seulement disponible en anglais.

On November 4, 2015, Parkland at the Gardens hosted the annual Heart Heroes event, a fundraiser which recognizes those who touch the hearts of Maritimer’s and work to make a difference in supporting heart health. The proceeds of this event support the efforts of the Maritime Heart Centre; an organization dedicated to advancing heart disease prevention programs and treating those who suffer from heart disease. This is the third year that the event has been held at Parkland at the Gardens and the Parkland team couldn’t be happier to support such an important cause.

Dr. Camille Hancock Friesen, President of Maritime Heart Centre, was present for the event and gave a touching testimonial about past Parkland at the Gardens resident, Roy Steed, who passed away in August. Mr. Steed’s contributions to the Maritime Heart Centre were fundamental in advancing the organization to where it is today.

There were many laughs, tears and applause during the Heart Heroes testimonials. Heart Heroes who were recognized throughout the evening included: Eric Banks, Pamela Davidson, Ralph and Shirlee Medjuck and Dr. Howard Wightman, all who shared touching stories about their experiences with the Maritime Heart Centre and the impact the organization has made on their lives.

This event is so near to our hearts here at Shannex and we are happy to support such a wonderful cause.

Thank you to all who attended and we hope to see you at next year’s annual Heart Heroes event!

Nova Scotia is spending more and more money on health care, but Nova Scotians aren’t getting any healthier. This is a big challenge and the health system can’t solve this problem alone. We need your help!

Shannex has partnered with the Nova Scotia Health Authority to host a series of conversations that will give you the opportunity to share your opinions. Join us for Talk About Health, where you can join a conversation about the health of Nova Scotians and what that means for us as individuals, communities and as a province.

Location: Parkland at the Gardens 5732 College Street, Halifax
Date: January 13, 2016
Time: 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
For more information contact Elliot Kavanagh at 902-497-0729 or ekavanagh@shannex.com

Clients and members of the public are invited to attend an important discussion about healthcare in Nova Scotia.

The province is spending more and more money on health care, but Nova Scotians aren’t getting any healthier. This is a big challenge and the health system can’t solve this problem alone. We need your help!

Shannex has partnered with the Nova Scotia Health Authority to host a series of conversations that will give you the opportunity to share your opinions. Join us for Talk About Health, where you can join a conversation about the health of Nova Scotians and what that means for us as individuals, communities and as a province.

Clients and members of the public are invited to attend.

Location: Parkland Cape Breton, 118 Kenwood Drive, Sydney
Date: March 3, 2016
Time: 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
For more information contact Nadine Oliver at 902- 567-6912 or noliver@shannex.com

Shannex has partnered with the Nova Scotia Health Authority to host a series of conversations that will give you the opportunity to share your opinions. Join us for Talk About Health, where you can join a conversation about the health of Nova Scotians and what that means for us as individuals, communities and as a province.

Nova Scotia is spending more and more money on health care, but Nova Scotians aren’t getting any healthier. This is a big challenge and the health system can’t solve this problem alone. We need your help! Clients and members of the public are invited to attend.

Location: Parkland Clayton Park 118 Fairfax Drive, Halifax
Date: Friday, March 11
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For more information contact Sharron Martell at 902-404-4042 orsmartell@shannex.com

HALIFAX – The Annual Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia’s Walk for Alzheimer’s is slated for May 1, 2016, and Shannex is proud to be the presenting sponsor again this year. The walk will be held at the Cunard Centre in Halifax, Centre 200 in Sydney and new this year, Wolfville’s Waterfront Park.

Sadly, more than 17,000 Atlantic Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia. This heartwarming event aims to raise awareness and funds for programs, services, education and research, all of which will help support the families and loved ones suffering from these debilitating diseases.

“Walk for Alzheimer’s is an annual fundraiser that is near and dear to the hearts of many people at Shannex,” says Jason Shannon, President and COO. “Every day, we see first-hand the challenges of living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia. We understand how difficult it can be, so we’re extremely happy to support this wonderful cause.”

Again this year, Shannex is putting together an impressive corporate team and they are eager to make a difference. The goal is to have an even bigger showing than in past years and they have their hopes set on surpassing fundraising efforts from past years.

Getting involved in the Walk for Alzheimer’s is easy! Each A-Team member who raises a minimum of $20 will receive a free gift to distinguish them as part of the A-Team during the walk.

For more information, to register, or to make a donation, please visit our team page on the Alzheimer’s Society website.

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Inquires:
Heather Hanson
Director, Communications and Community Affairs
hhanson@shannex.com
(902)446-8005
[ess_post]

May 18, 2016 (Halifax) – On May 11, more than 120 individuals from across the organization attended the first annual Shannex Awards Gala. It was an exciting evening filled with inspirational and touching stories about the great people who work at Shannex.

“This awards ceremony was long overdue,” said Jason Shannon, Shannex President and COO. “We’ve come so far since my father purchased his first nursing home in 1988 and we know great people are the foundation of our success. An annual event like this is the perfect way to recognize the commitment, dedication and passion our employees display every day.”

During the Gala, we recognized long service milestones and retirements; managers who completed the Striving for Greatness or Achieving Excellence portions of the Shannex Leadership Development Program; and 19 Excellence Awards for volunteers, environmental sustainability, safety, sales achievement, service excellence and leadership.

The Shannex Awards Gala will continue to be something to look forward to every year. Nominations for the 2017 Shannex Excellence Awards will be open in January and we expect to receive even more nominations next year.

Shannex Incorporated has been in business since 1988 and is a leader in seniors’ accommodation, service and care, providing home care, retirement living, assisted living, memory care and nursing home care in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario. The Employee Recognition Program provides several ways to recognize and celebrate our great people for going above and beyond at work.

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Inquiries:
Heather Hanson
Vice President, Strategic Partnership & Brand
hhanson@shannex.com
(902)446-8005
[ess_post]

HALIFAX, NS – Shannex is proud to be the premier sponsor for the Atlantic Canadian leg of Doctor Bill Thomas’ Age of Disruption Tour. One of the most innovative and creative thinkers working in medicine today, he will make a series of stops across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in June.

Created by Dr. Bill Thomas, the Tour brings a radical new approach — and conversation — to growth and aging. The 2016 tour features two parts: Disrupt Dementia, a community-based workshop disrupting stereotypes around dementia; and a signature non-fiction theater performance, Aging: Life’s Most Dangerous Game, featuring an engaging blend of myth, science, original music and storytelling, with musical guest, Nate Silas Richardson.

Shannex is pleased to be the premiere sponsor for Doctor Thomas’s event focusing on changing the conversation around the aging community. See the event listing below to see when the tour is stopping in your area:

June 13: Kennebecasis Valley High School – 398 Hampton Road, Quispamsis, NB
June 14: Kinsella Auditorium – 9 Duffie Drive, Fredericton, NB
June 15: Bella Rose Arts Centre – 283 Thomas Raddall Drive, Halifax, NS
June 16: Membertou Trade and Convention Center – 50 Maillard St, Membertou, NS
June 17: Salle Jeanne-de-Valois, Université de Moncton – 68 rue Notre-Dame-du-sacré-Coeur, Moncton, NB

At each tour stop Disrupt Dementia will be offered from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Aging: Life’s Most Dangerous Game will be offered from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For ticket purchase and event information, visit the event page.

For more information on Doctor Bill Thomas, “The Age of Disruption”, or to buy tickets to an event near you, visit drbillthomas.org.

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Inquires:
Heather Hanson
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Brand
hhanson@shannex.com
902-446-8005
[ess_post]

Today, February 22^nd, Shannex employees are wearing pink shirts (or scrubs) in support of Pink Shirt Day. We know that bullying is not only a problem on school grounds—it happens around boardroom tables, in lunch rooms and in many social settings. Everyone deserves to be respected and we want everyone to feel safe, supported and understood at work.

Shannex strives to maintain a healthy work environment for all employees. Ensuring our homes, buildings and offices are fair, inclusive and void of bullying is a shared responsibility, and Shannex employees are guided by the Respectful Workplace and Anti-Harassment Policy.

Employee wellness is important to us and we believe it positively impacts work and home environments. We are proud to show our support for Pink Shirt Day.  Encouraging a positive, safe and comfortable environment every day is a priority for Shannex.

For the last two years Brad Dykens, a CCA from Orchard Court, has led Team Shannex in participating in the Coldest Night of the Year, a fundraiser for hungry, homeless, and hurting individuals and families across Canada.

The Shannex Team went above and beyond this year and exceeded their fundraising goal by raising approximately $4,000.

Team Shannex included Brad Dykens, Deborah Baxter and her son Hayden and friend Oliver, Nora Newcombe, Helen Nickerson, Jenn Comeau, Cassie Lynn and her husband, Janelle Penner, Jennifer Penner and two of their friends.

Thank you to everyone who supported and participated in this campaign. And a big thank you to Brad for his great leadership with this fundraiser!

The above story was also featured in our April 2017 issue of Connections. Click here  to read more great stories from our corporate publication. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in, donated to, or supported the Walk for Alzheimer’s events this year. This was our first year as presenting sponsor in New Brunswick and we continued the tradition of sponsoring the Nova Scotia walks as well.

Alzheimer’s and other dementias impact so many of us. We know how important strong support systems, education, research and community programming is in our communities which is why we continue to support the Alzheimer Society.

This year across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Shannex raised more than $14,000. These funds will stay in our communities and provide essential programs and services that work to effectively alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

The above story was also featured in our July 2017 issue of Connections. Click here to read more great stories from our corporate publication. 

June 21 each year marks National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day to honour and celebrate the traditions, customs and contributions of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and learn more about their history.

Last year, 12-year-old Mi’kmaw youth, Landyn Toney, made headlines as he walked over 195 km in honour of First Nations children and people impacted by Residential Schools in Canada. In Landyn’s “Journey of Awareness,” he raised over $46,000 to support Indigenous communities.

Following his walk, Landyn, his sister Mataya and his mother Marsha stopped by Parkland at the Gardens to speak with the residents. Yesterday, one year after their first visit, Parkland at the Gardens was honoured to host the family once again.

At 2 p.m., Landyn and his family led residents in a Treaty Walk as they walked down College Street in downtown Halifax. Following the walk, Marsha spoke to the residents about Freedom Day, the former Indian Residential School grounds in Shubenacadie, N.S., where Indigenous children from all over the Maritimes attended until the school closed in 1967. One of the survivors was Landyn’s great-grandmother.

Leading up to their second visit to the community, Parkland residents came together and raised $772 to donate to Landyn’s Journey of Awareness. Maureen Banyard, a resident at Parkland at the Gardens, led the efforts and presented Landyn with the cheque. Following the cheque presentation, residents and team members took part in a smudging ceremony performed by Landyn.

Wela’lioq Landyn, Mataya and Marsha for connecting with Parkland residents. We look forward to hosting you again next year.

For more information on First Nations, visit your local Friendship Centre. Find a location near you, here.

Shannex Enhanced Care

This year, we joined our sector partners to recognize Long Term Care Day in Nova Scotia (June 23) and Nursing Home Week in New Brunswick (June 6-10).

We are proud of our Great People who work to improve the lives of residents in long term care communities every day. Thank you for your ongoing commitment and dedication.

Three Shannex team members were guest speakers at the Centre of Excellence for Health to share their career paths and why they chose to work in long term care.

Bruce Lutes – Recruitment Specialist, New Brunswick  

Bruce Lutes has been with Shannex for almost three years and is a Recruitment Specialist, Bruce is involved in many projects from working to attract team members to our new communities to supporting recruitment events that happen across the province of New Brunswick.   

As an expert in recruitment Bruce shared information on our different service lines, the many roles available at Shannex, our Employee Total Rewards Program, professional development opportunities and the benefits of working in long term care, like: 

• Working to your full scope of practice  
• The meaningful connections with residents and families  
• Teamwork environment – always someone willing to lend a hand  
• Career progression opportunities 

“Working in a long term care community is a rewarding challenge, and the people that you meet become your family,” says Bruce. “If you are interested in working in a nursing home, volunteer with us and see what it’s all about.” 

View Bruces’s presentation at: https://centresofexcellencenb.ca/health/?speaker_series=ltc-week-exploring-opportunities-in-long-term-care-with-a-shannex-recruitment-specialist  

Watch LTC Week – Exploring Opportunities in Long Term Care

Morgan Lambert – Work and Learn Educator, Fredericton  

Morgan Lambert has been working at Shannex for nearly nine years in a variety of roles. Her path with Shannex started as a Personal Support Worker, where she worked for a year and a half while she studied to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). After graduation, she started caring for residents as an LPN right away. She then became a Rehabilitation LPN and she enjoyed this position for three and a half years before moving into her current role as an instructor. 

Morgan feels that the possibilities are endless when it comes to the nursing field and encourages people to try as many things as possible when navigating career opportunities. 

“When I was younger, I always wanted to be a nurse as I had a lot of nurses around me in my family,” she said. “The thought of another career path truly never crossed my mind. My mom was an LPN and was my career mentor.”  

View Morgans’s presentation at: LTC Week – Rehabilitation Licensed Practical Nurse with Shannex | Centre of Excellence for Health (centresofexcellencenb.ca)

Watch LTC Week – Rehabilitation Licensed Practical Nurse with Shannex

Alex Gagné – Activity Coordinator – Pavillon Richard, Faubourg du Mascaret 

Alex Gagné is an Activity Coordinator at Pavillon Richard, a licensed nursing home located on the Faubourg du Mascaret campus in Moncton, NB. She has been a part of the Shannex team of Great People for seven years. Alex initially joined Shannex as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) in 2017, and quickly realized that this is where she wanted to be.  

“It was one of my work placements that introduced me to the idea of working in a nursing home,” she said. “After that experience, I realized that I love working with the seniors.”  

As an Activity Coordinator, Alex is responsible for creating engaging, interesting, and eventful activities that keep residents active and social. She works with residents, families, loved ones, and team members to make everyone’s day fun. 

She adds, “If you are looking for an exciting and engaging job that fills your day with amazing people, this is the position for you. You get to make a real difference in others’ lives. I love what I do.”  

About the Centre of Excellence for Health 

The Centre of Excellence for Health is a learning platform for children from K-12 to learn about career opportunities by connecting the classroom with real-world experts. To celebrate Long Term Care Week guest speakers were invited to share their expertise in caring for residents in long-term care communities.