A KinVillage Health Care Hero

We’re delighted to announce that on June 27, 2016, Dr. Christine Gemeinhardt, Medical Coordinator of KinVillage’s Long-term Residential Care Home, received the Health Care Hero Award from the Health Care Employers’ Association of B.C.  (HEABC)The BC Health Care Awards were created in 2007 to celebrate successes and achievements in BC’s health care system and to recognize people providing outstanding care and support.  Seven Health Care Hero Awards are presented annually, with just one winner chosen from among the 250 affiliate providers in the province, one of which is KinVillage.Dr. Gemeinhardt is a Family Physician who has dedicated herself to improving the care of elder individuals who are frail and living in the community, and, in particular, those in residential care.  She has served as Medical Coordinator of KinVillage’s Long-Term Residential Care for over 8 years, contributing in countless ways to improving the lives of Residents, families and her colleagues.  She is compassionate and dedicated to our Residents, unwavering in her commitment to offer support to their family members; a valued team member, she’s an inspiration and a mentor to her colleagues.Notably, KinVillage is recognized for its success in significantly reducing unnecessary transfers of Residents to emergency rooms and for reducing the number of medications KinVillage Residents take by focusing on most appropriate treatments, goals of care and quality of life. Dr. Gemeindhardt encourages her co-workers and colleagues to view their work through a different lens, to challenge the status quo, and to relentlessly strive for improvement in care.  She initiates and provides effective leadership for quality improvement projects at KinVillage aimed at ensuring high quality of care of frail older adults. It’s hard work at times, though as Dr. Gemeinhardt says “We have fun and love what we do.”Dr. Gemeinhardt provides leadership locally, regionally, and beyond in her efforts to advance care of the elderly.  She is the Residential Care Physician lead with the Delta Division of Family Practice, actively participates in regional and provincial care initiatives, and regularly presents to her peers at medical conferences.She is recognized as a dedicated leader and an outstanding example of someone who spares no effort in seeking out the highest quality of care for seniors, and particularly for those who are frailest in our society.  Said Dr. Larry Gustafson, former Regional Medical Director of Residential Care in Fraser Health: “Dr. Gemeinhartdt exemplifies the skills, qualities and commitment that demonstrate unique and exemplary competence in Care of the Elderly in the community, hospital and in residential care.  Notable is her readiness to share learnings to inspire, encourage and enable others.”KinVillage is committed to excellence in providing person-centred care and we know this can only be achieved through a strong team approach.  In residential care, an area in which physician engagement has historically been challenging, we feel very blessed to have Dr. Gemeinhardt’s involvement and leadership on our team.  While we are grateful to and celebrate each and every member of our team, we are all delighted that “one of ours”, Dr. Christine Gemeinhardt, has been recognized with this very special award.   She IS our Health Care Hero!For more information, you can watch the B.C. Health Care Award’s inspiring video about Dr. Christine Gemeinhardt and her work at KinVillage.