Kelly Hassall, RRT FCSRT MEd
Stephen Buziak, RRT MA
The Leadership Committee made the challenging decision to pause meetings for December and January due to the ongoing demands secondary to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the RTs across this province for all of the amazing work you are doing during this chaotic time. Even now, a year into these unprecedented times, RTs continue to face new challenges, obstacles and situations on a daily basis. Across the continuum of care, we continue to see our colleagues stepping forward and doing their best to meet the needs of the public. As RTs across Ontario in varying leadership capacities, the members of the Leadership Committee want to take this moment to acknowledge your heroic efforts, your dedication to your profession, and your commitment to doing your best in an impossible situation. We see you, we appreciate you, and you are not alone.
Of the many initiatives that the Leadership Committee has undertaken over the past few years, the need for mental health and wellness resources for RTs has been at the forefront. That has never been more apparent than now. In a recent COVID-19 Bulletin, the CRTO shared the link for Pause 4 Providers (https://www.pause4providers.com/), a link to free drop-in mindfulness sessions for all health care providers. Five hospitals in Ontario have also partnered with Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence to provide health and community care workers impacted by COVID-19 with free access to a variety of mental health and wellness supports as well https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-support-workers#section-5. Through the Ontario RRT Support Facebook Page, Fatima Foster took some time on Bell Let’s Talk Day to introduce members to Boots On The Ground (www.bootsontheground.ca), a peer support program for first responders in Ontario that is completely anonymous and staffed 24/7 by paramedics, military, firefighters and former police officers, at no charge.
The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists has developed a mental health hub to support RTs’ mental health and well-being during and beyond the pandemic. This bilingual resource connects respiratory therapists to a wide range of supports including: crisis and support lines across the country, national and provincial/territorial mental health programs and initiatives, mental health resources for workplaces and entry-to-practice RT programs, information on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and resources to help RTs manage grief and bereavement. You can find this resource within the CSRT Supports for Practice section of their website: https://www.csrt.com/csrt-mental-health-resources/
Another ongoing initiative within the Leadership Committee is our aim to raise $3700 for FeedOntario, and we’re just over halfway there! If you would like to contribute to this cause you can donate directly at Respiratory Therapists of Ontario Give Back (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/feedontario/p2p/covid19response/page/rts-of-ontario-give-back/). Another option is to purchase a trendy RT shirt and have $5 of your purchase go towards this great cause (https://stores.torontotees.com/rtso/shop/home). Thank you to everyone who has participated in this fundraiser to date.
As the Leadership Committee prepares to meet again, there will be some adjustments on the horizon. Steve Buziak and Kelly Hassall have decided to step down as the Co-Chairs of this outstanding committee. Fatima Nathoo has graciously stepped up to become the Hospital Leadership Liaison and will work with the Committee and the Board to take some time to review and refresh the committee Terms of Reference. Ongoing work such as resources for frontline RTs as well as the Pulmonary Diagnostic working group will resume, and the Committee will continue to support the strategic goals of the society. Steve and Kelly would like to thank all of the members of the RTSO, the Leadership Committee and the RTSO Board (both outgoing and incoming) for their incredible support over the past year. Together we have moved mountains.
Take care and stay safe.
Kelly and Steve
