3 honoured by Fraser Health for work in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows

Yukiko Tanaka sees herself as a delivery truck of love. 

And now the long-time volunteer at Baillie House has been recognized by Fraser Health for her efforts after receiving an Above and Beyond Award, along with two others from this community. 

Tanaka, who started as a volunteer at the long-term care home in Maple Ridge in 2013 received a Service Delivery Excellence Award.

Elissa Black, a clinical coordinator who is a leader with the Fraser North Substance Use Services Access Team, known for her compassion, empathy, and kindness and her willingness to help anyone at any time, was the recipient of the Fraser Health Hero Award. 

And addictions counsellor Nola Slade received a Service Delivery Excellence Award for her holistic and culturally safe approach for those entering the Maple Ridge Treatment Centre’s Substance Use Program. 

The Above and Beyond Awards were announced on Monday, Oct. 21, that included award categories: Innovator, Fraser Health Hero, Best Collaboration, Service Delivery Excellence, and Lifetime Achievement.

The awards recognize the remarkable accomplishments of staff, medical staff, volunteers and teams, who show dedication and compassion in their service to others. 

Winners were chosen by a Fraser Health selection committee which included representatives from members of the executive team, physicians, health services administrators (directors, managers), volunteer resources managers and clinical staff.

“Whether offering a smile, a song or a listening ear, she goes above and beyond to make a difference to others and is a role model of service delivery excellence,” said Carrie Stefanson, public affairs consultant and spokesperson for Fraser Health about Tanaka, who was inspired to give back to her community following the passing of a loved one. 

Tanaka volunteers with the Spiritual Health Program, where she provides emotional and spiritual support for residents.

“Yukiko’s passion for helping others is inspirational,” said Stefanson, noting that she uses each day to fulfill her personal goal to lift others up. She also takes the time to sit with residents in their rooms to simply chat or be in their presence. 

“Everyone has a very respectable life history. Even if they cannot speak it out. It is so important for us to listen to them,” says Tanaka.

Spiritual health practitioner Rhonda Davison explained Tanaka knows residents by name, and if they are not present at a program, she seeks them out to say hello. She also participates in the activities with residents to bring meaning to their lives, most notably the popular hymn-sing program, where Tanaka is always at the piano taking song requests from the residents. 

“The residents may not remember me, but being with them, somehow that afternoon, that moment, they are uplifted – that’s my purpose of coming here,”said Tanaka.

Black, who guided the Fraser Health Substance Use Services Access Team from its early beginnings, tirelessly supports individuals who use substances through outreach, advocacy and system navigation, explained Stefanson. Their work throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, ensures people who visit the emergency department due to risk of toxic drug poisoning or substance use concerns receive coordinated follow up care in their communities. The group also works in New Westminster, Burnaby, and the Tri-Cities. 

“I just want to work with people where they are at and understand their stories. My own lived experience drives my work – the empathy, compassion and understanding,” Black said, about how their interactions can make a lasting impact on a person’s life. 

And her commitment to innovative patient care solutions pushed her to support the development of the Substance Use Service Aftercare Team, a first of its kind in Fraser Health which offers long-term, recovery-focused care for people who need support with their substance use. 

Whether it’s calling shelters in search of a bed or providing accompaniment support to and from important appointments, she always walks alongside her clients, no matter where they are on their journey, explained Stefanson.

“Ultimately, I want to be sure I’ve done everything possible for someone. If it’s something I can do, why not?” said Black.

Justin Latos, a clinician on the Substance Use Services Access Team, said Black is always going above and beyond for the people she helps. 

“She’s a hero – she’s saving a lot of lives,” he said. 

Slade offers an Indigenous culturally safe space at the Maple Ridge Treatment Centre’s Substance Use Program, a program fro men experiencing problematic substance use. It’s an environment where all people can talk about their experiences, ask questions, and connect with others. The model of addiction recovery, noted Stefanson, is more diverse and holistic and includes Indigenous practices of healing.

The program at the centre is based on the philosophy of the Wellness Wheel, which addresses the physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual needs of each person who enters the program, explained Dawn Julien, clinical counsellor at the Maple Ridge Treatment Centre.

Through her workshops in the Spirit Bear Lodge, Slade takes her clients on a journey with the intention of embracing culture and showing them that change is possible.

“In the Spirit Bear Lodge, clients get to understand their world view, reflect on self-awareness, values – their beliefs. They get to talk about their own ancestors. It gives them the opportunity to embrace change through the sacred laws,” Slade explained. 

One of Slade’s greatest contributions to the centre has been her dedication to exploring her Indigenous ancestry and the impact that being grounded in cultural identity has on recovery.

Her passion for helping people heal through the program keeps Slade moving forward. 

“It’s my reason for getting up every day. I don’t have to go to work, I get to go to work and I love that. Staying spiritually grounded in my own recovery, staying spiritually grounded in everybody else’s – every day is a choice that I make to come and help others.”