Who We Are
Killam and the surrounding communities are fortunate to have the Killam Health Centre, complete with Acute care, Emergency services and Continuing Care to meet the health care and living needs of the community.
When supporting the Killam & District Health Care Foundation, all money stays in the community. Therefore, when donating, you are investing in a happy, healthier future for everyone. We thank all of our donors for the generous support shown to the Foundation. You make an immense difference for residents, patients, families, and healthcare workers in the community.
Staff
Acute Care Beds
Palliative Care
Continuing Care Beds
The Sisters of St. Joseph – London, Ontario
Site Administrator: Lora Maygard
Board Profiles
Chair
Sharon Moser
Sharon has been a board member since 2013 and as of the beginning of 2022 accepted the position as Chair.
Sharon and her husband Jack farm in the Killam area where they raised their family of four. Her first volunteer position was that of Rodeo Secretary for the Killam Rodeo Association. When asked about taking on the position she commented that she was too busy as she was adjusting to farm life and had just had her first child. The president at the time said “I wouldn’t ask you if you weren’t busy, busy people get things done.” This was the beginning of one of many positions held throughout the years to help promote and build community.
In 1971 when the Killam Agriplex first opened Sharon became one of the first life guards at the Killam Pool while she was attending High School. 26 years later she accepted the position as the Recreation Coordinator of said facility and during that time the facility underwent major renovations which required considerable fundraising and dedication to the project. She has always believed in being active and in 2015 became a yoga teacher and continues to teach today. Currently she is involved in the Killam Chamber of Commerce and also a member of 100 Women Who Care.
In her spare time Sharon enjoys swimming, reading, travelling and time spent with her grandchildren, family and friends.
Board Member
Mabel Thompson
Mabel was born in Killam and grew up on a farm south of town. She enjoyed her growing up years in the country prior to going to Toronto to take her nurse’s training. She missed the prairies, so after graduation, she returned to Killam as an RN for her first job. The next 20 years would find her working in various places in BC and Alberta. In 1990, she said goodbye to nursing and went to work full-time for her husband in his accounting firm until it was sold in 2016.
When Mabel returned to the Killam area in the 1980’s, she became involved in various organizations, so when she was approached about becoming a board member for the Hospital Foundation it was an easy yes. She felt it would be a good way to give back to the community in raising funds for items that could be needed for the smooth and efficient operation of the hospital.
Board Member
Terri Rombough
In March of 2018, I joined the volunteer board of the Killam & District Health Care Foundation. A key responsibility of the foundation is fundraising to support and enhance acute care and long term care facilities, programs, services, training, resources, and priority needs.
My goal, as a volunteer board member, is to help serve the health care community, encourage potential new board members, and help contribute to the sustainable future of our much needed health care facilities.
Board Member
NORMA JEAN BIELENY
Norma Jean was born and raised in the Killam area and spent most of her nursing career working in all levels of rural health care from frontline to management. Along with her husband, she feels very fortunate to have been able to raise 4 children in the small but vibrant community. After retirement Norma Jean chose to continue to support rural health care by joining the Killam & District Health Care Foundation and Community Board. The Bieleny family is actively involved in the business of farming and ranching; their favorite pastime is enjoying the spirited antics of their grandchildren.
Rural healthcare has so many challenges – it is important to maintain the link between community needs and the “business” of providing health services. Membership in a community board serves this purpose, while membership in a foundation puts focus on the costs of healthcare and how we can better our own community by helping allay those costs. Norma Jean hopes that one day rural healthcare will be recognized and rewarded for the “specialty” it truly is.
Board Member
Pat Mackinnon
Pat was born, raised and educated in Flagstaff County where she and her husband raised their 4 children on the farm. She chose a nursing career at the early age of 5 after experiencing nursing care firsthand at the Killam General Hospital. This was accomplished at the University Hospital and Uof A where she obtained a Nursing diploma and Advanced Practical Obstetrics certificate. Throughout the years her nursing career and volunteerism has served her rural community well. This included running Prenatal Classes, Babysitting and First Aid Courses; memberships as Church Board chairperson, Quilting Guild committee chair, Nursing Class newsletter coordinator, Cake Decorating classes.
As a Board member she enjoys the fundraising events that lead to the culmination of projects for the patients and residents’ comfort and enjoyment. The fruition of the Campus of Caring project is a highlight; as well as the ongoing work to furnish the beautiful building. A new goal is Senior housing for our area.
In her retirement mode you can usually find her interacting with her 7 grandchildren, quilting, baking or reading.
Past Chair
Sharleen Chevraux
Sharleen moved to Killam at the age of 6 when her father became manager of the Killam Co-op. She took her schooling in Killam and Sedgewick before attending the U of A to become a teacher. Thereafter she taught at Central High in Sedgewick for 35 years. She married Stan Chevraux, a local Killam farmer, and together they raised 2 boys. Sharleen was brought up to believe in giving back to her community and over the years she has served on many community boards. In 2004 she joined the Killam Community Foundation Board. In 2009 Covenant Health was officially incorporated and the Killam & District Community Board was formed making all members of the Community Foundation Board also members of the Killam Community Board. In 2012 Sharleen took over as Chair of both boards and retained that role until December 31, 2021.
Through the years that she served, the Foundation raised large sums of money through raffles, bingos, galas, special events and silent auctions to purchase equipment for the hospital, their crowning achievement being the furnishing of the new Campus of Caring. In the meantime the Community Board oversaw the process, serving as community advocate to Covenant Health and interpreter of the Covenant Health mission and service goals to the community. In all the years of her service, Sharleen was thrilled to be able to work with dedicated volunteers who shared her passion for the hospital and who always worked very hard to make things happen. She also had the privilege of working with a dedicated and skilled staff. All of these people together have helped us retain our hospital and continue its vital role in our community.
Board Member
HEATHER CHEVRAUX
History of Killam Health Centre
In 1946, a much needed wing was added under the direction of Sister Loyola Donovan. There was no Government funding for hospitals until 1958. Community members supported the hospital during these early years, supplying vegetables from their gardens and covering their bills until money was received from the main ‘Mother House’ of the Sisters in London, Ontario. This served the people until 1960 when approval was obtained to construct a new 30 bed active treatment hospital.
The Killam Health Centre was opened in November 1963 by the Sister’s of St. Joseph of London, Ontario. The Sister’s were firmly entrenched in the community and they adapted their services to meet the changing health needs of Killam and surrounding area. In the spring of 1990, the Sister’s withdrew but still maintained ownership of the hospital until 2003 when the facility was operated by the Alberta Catholic Health Corporation. In 2009, Killam Health Centre became part of Covenant Health. Although the physical presence of the Sister’s of St. Joseph left the building, their influence and legacy is always present in the compassionate and loving care that is delivered to patients at the Killam Health Centre today.
In August 2016, a $13 Million redevelopment plan for the Killam Health Centre Continuing Care facility was announced. After many discussions and meetings, the dream came to a reality with shovels finally put into the ground to build a place where people could age in place with the dignity and respect they so deserve. The build was done in stages so residents could remain in their rooms until the new space was available. The first residents made the move into the newly developed Killam Campus of Caring wing in the fall of 2019. Today, the facility has 40 Supportive Living beds, 10 Long Term Care beds and 4 couple’s suites.
Killam Health Centre provides the people of Flagstaff County with individual and family health services including 24/7 emergency, Inpatient Acute Care, diagnostic imagining, Rehab, Adult Day Program and Continuing Care.
