Community networking always benefits residents, staff: Pierce
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 -- Michelle Strutzenberger
Linda Pierce has taken on several new roles to ensure she keeps informed and involved as Ontario’s health-care system is restructured. She says that ultimately it is the residents and staff who benefit from these activities.

The administrator of Village Green is a member of the South East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) project team, the Chronic Disease Prevention Management leadership team and a LHIN lead for the Ontario Long-Term Care Association (OLTCA). Pierce is also a member of Omni’s Engagement Team, initiated to ensure the Omni is strategically positioned to be involved in the LHIN process.

Pierce is passionate about engaging in the LHIN process. “I think this is the focus everyone has to take,” she says. “We have to move forward, to be actively involved. We have to be prepared to look at new opportunities and to help other stakeholders. It’s a very collaborative process, which I think is very good.”

Pierce says that the strengths and challenges of Village Green, Omni Health Care and long-term care in general can be brought forward through engaging with the LHINs.

Attending LHIN board meetings is one way to become more involved. “I encourage people to play a more active role so that they can continue to develop a relationship with the board,” she says.

Pierce says that her own experience with the LHIN board have been very positive. “There are wonderful people on the board. They are so open to listen to any comments.”

She notes that the only way to ensure that long-term care and the residents and staff of long-term care are represented as Ontario’s health-care system is restructured is to keep visible and verbal. “We have to be proactive. We have to be accountable. We have to be in attendance at these meetings.”

Networking with other health-care providers also reaps benefits for the residents and staff.

“It’s a ripple effect,” she says. “Any contact that I have, I’m always advocating for the residents and staff. My question always is, ‘How can I, through this venue, bring back to the home something that will enhance the quality of life for the people there?’.”

Through her involvement with the various LHIN groups, Pierce has connected with various community stakeholders. “If somebody has something that is working better -- it can be as simple as a policy, or an educational program, or a service for supplies -- ultimately it flows back to the resident, who benefits,” she says.