Richard Jenkins
The one word that comes up the most in conversation with Richard Jenkins about his reasons for giving is "grateful".
"I'm grateful to the health system for taking care of my relatives — Aboriginal and otherwise. And that's why I want to support the Royal Alex."
Richard is Aboriginal Program Advisor to the Royal Alexandra Hospital's Aboriginal Health Program. This program supports increased access to health services for Aboriginal people living in Edmonton and the surrounding area, as well as 40 First Nation communities in central and northern Alberta. The Royal Alexandra Hospital also serves more than 2,000 Aboriginal patients from the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, adding to the diversity of its patients. Based on more than 10 years working with Aboriginal communities and organizations, the Aboriginal Health Program is just one of the many unique services the Royal Alexandra Hospital provides.
Richard is Cree/Métis with Indian Status. His main focus as Program Advisor is to support ways to integrate Aboriginal health practices into the mainstream medical approach. "A significant consideration is how to engage our programs, staff and physicians in becoming more culturally sensitive to Aboriginal peoples. We need to integrate traditional native medicines and ceremonies with modern medicine," says Richard.
For close to a year, Richard has been making regular donations to the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation through his paycheque. Hospital staff has the option of having a small amount automatically deducted from the last paycheque of the month which goes towards supporting the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Richard is glad to make a donation every month towards what he hopes will be increased spending towards Aboriginal health programming at the Royal Alex.
"I know that the Aboriginal programs really make a difference in the community, and that's what I'm grateful for."