Med Gala an opportunity to recognize people who ‘keep us all at our best’ says Boreal Healthcare Foundation CEO
Uko Akpanuko
Daily Herald
The Boreal Healthcare Foundation has announced the distinguished nominees for the 2025 Med Gala, an annual event celebrating excellence in healthcare and raising vital funds to support medical services at Victoria Hospital and healthcare throughout northern Saskatchewan.
Andrew McLetchie (Nursing Excellence Award), Roses Stewart-Stevens (Outstanding Achievement in Healthcare Award), and the Prince Albert Home Care Team (Collaborative Care Award) are this year’s winners. They will be recognized at the Med Gala on March 22 at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre.
“What is really impressive about all the award winners is every one of them, I think, would acknowledge that they are just one piece in the overall healthcare system,” Boreal Healthcare Foundation CEO Cody Barnett said in an interview with the Daily Herald. “They are part of that bigger team that makes sure that we all have the care that we need all through the entire spectrum of healthcare.
“This is a really great opportunity for us to recognize people that really keep us all at our best and able to live our lives,” he added. “Oftentimes it’s a thankless and very difficult job that our healthcare professionals have and it’s great to stop and think about all the work that they do.”
The Prince Albert Home Care Team provides a number of services, including nursing care for acute and chronic conditions, personal care assistance to support daily living activities, and respite and home management services for families and caregivers.
The team serves nearly 200 clients at any given time, providing quality of life care outside an institutional setting.
“The Prince Albert Home Care Team is a shining example of collaboration in action,” said Barnett. “Through their tireless efforts, they empower individuals to live independently while receiving the care they need. Their dedication, expertise, and commitment to patient-centered care truly set them apart.”
Andrew McLetchie leads the SHA’s Integrated Northern Health (INH) portfolio and serves as Chief Nursing Officer. The INH is responsible for all hospitals, long-term care facilities, primary healthcare clinics, and community health centres in northeast and northwest Saskatchewan.
Barnett said McLetchie is always putting patients and families at the heart of his work.
“Andy’s leadership has had a profound impact on healthcare in Saskatchewan,” Barnett said. “His vision, dedication, and passion for patient care have strengthened our healthcare system, ensuring that the needs of northern communities remain a priority.”
Roses Stewart-Stevens is a medical trailblazer in Prince Albert. She introduced the city’s first drive-thru prescription service, ensuring more efficient medication delivery for patients.
Beyond pharmacy services, Stewart-Stevens advocated for and supported programs that increased accessibility to healthcare medications, and developed mentorship programs for the next generation of healthcare professionals.
“Roses is not just a leader in healthcare—she is a visionary, an innovator, and an inspiration to all of us,” said Barnett. “Her commitment to making healthcare more accessible and patient- centered has changed lives and continues to shape the future of pharmacy in our region.”
The Med Gala highlights individuals and teams whose dedication, innovation, and service have profoundly impacted patient care in Prince Albert and Northern Saskatchewan.
It is a celebration of excellence, a fundraiser for healthcare, and an opportunity to bring the community together in support of our healthcare heroes. The night will feature a gourmet dining experience with handcrafted cocktails, live music from Saskatchewan’s own Gong Show and an exclusive live auction featuring once-in-a-lifetime experiences and prizes.
The event is also a major fundraiser for the Borreal Healthcare Foundation.
Barnett said the funds raised will be channeled towards “purchasing priority needs towards our healthcare facilities here in Prince Albert and throughout the north needs now.”
With Victoria Hospital, Barnett said they’re looking at pieces of equipment that have long enough life span so they can still be used when the new hospital expansion opens.
editorial@paherald.sk.ca
