The Rock Creek Community Medical Society annual general meeting was held Thursday, June 4.
The elected board is as follows: Harald Zinner is taking over as president, Gail Maclean remains secretary/treasurer and the directors are Emilio Martinez, Stephen Kirkham, Terry Keough, Norma Tilgner, Shannon Kelly-Keough, Hazel Self and Wolfgang Schmidt.
Outgoing president Terry Keough touched on the work that was accomplished over the past two years, which included upgrading the parking lot and adding concrete guard barriers donated by the Ministry of Highways and installed by Emcon, the exterior of the building was given new paint, new flower boxes were purchased installed and planted each year, and wages were increased for support staff.
The society gained funds from the Speakeasy Community Theatre performance by Boundary players for close to $2,900, and grants were received from the Phoenix Foundation for another $2,900 and from the RDKB for $3,000. These funds were added to $2,200 in reserve set aside for the historic park and the park was expanded to add perimeter fencing, new trails and four fitness stations were installed selected to support physiotherapy and recuperative exercise.
New building signage was installed, the Health Matters publication promoting community health was created and distributed for 12 months, operating costs and insurance was lowered and the society gave two bursaries out to local graduating students entering the health related field.
The society expanded its support of the Kettle Valley Seniors group allowing usage of the meeting room whenever vacant, and also offered free space to the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy adult literacy training.
During the first year, Dr. Henry Ajaero closed his practice and the clinic was left without health care services so the society arranged for locum coverage while a permanent solution could be found.
After months of meetings, calls and negotiations an agreement was made with Interior Health to hire and fund a nurse practitioner for the clinic to work three full days per week, doubling the number of health care service hours with Dr Ajaero.
Celia Evanson began practicing in late January 2015 and has been a fantastic addition to the community. The society also worked with Dr Simpson, Internal Medicine Specialist to assure she could continue practicing from the clinic part time.
All in all it was a busy two years and a lot got done, but the society needs more people involved to assure its long-term success and the continuance of health care services at the health centre in Rock Creek.
The society and clinic do not receive any support from government or public funding and exists only through the rental of space and the operation of programs such as the CAPC and Country Kids Playschool.
It is not about meetings, it is about offering as little as an hour a month to take on one small task, usually from home. If there were a few more people willing to give just a little time for something important it would make all the difference in the world.
Next on the agenda for the RCCMS is the 8th annual Canada Day celebration at the health Centre property July 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This event grows each year and starts with the Discover Rock Creek parade, which ends at the health centre where the medical society provides free burgers and hot dogs cooked by the Lions Club members.
There are also desserts supplied by the Rock Creek Women’s Institute, games by the 4H club members and a lot of fun for everyone. A work bee is planned for June 28 to get the grounds ready.