Two Hope-based medical professionals have been recognized with Fraser Health ‘Above and Beyond’ awards.
Winners were announced June 14, 2022. Dr. Aseem Grover was one of four recipients of a Service Delivery Excellence Award.
According to a write-up on fraserhealth.ca, “Grover is known for consistently breaking down barriers to individuals with substance use and providing them with a network of meaningful support services. He co-founded the Fraser Health Region Addictions Network, which strives to work collaboratively to better advocate for vulnerable patients and provide beneficial resources.
“When he arrived in the area to practice family medicine, he observed a lack of support for people who used substances. He started working in clinics across Fraser Health, looking to bring knowledge back to his own clinic in Hope. He paid for a bus to bring patients from Hope to Chilliwack to receive Opioid Agonist Therapy and counselling until his clinic was equipped to provide this same support. He delivered naloxone kits on his own time to people’s homes and to places where he knew people used substances.
“Dr. Grover’s colleagues report being continually inspired and humbled by his collaborative spirit, one that comes from a place of deep caring, compassion and dedication. He has a relentless desire to make things better for patients – especially the most vulnerable.”
Grover says this desire to help comes from an understanding of what it is to have nothing. For someone who has nothing, even something small can make a great difference.
“I see every day that small acts go miles to help people in their lives, and that trauma informed care has us looking at patients in a different way,” he said. “In a small town, this really matters.”
Lynda Beecham also received a Service Delivery Excellence award.
A dedicated volunteer at Fraser Canyon Hospital and Fraser Hope Lodge, she’s described by her manager as “a tirelessly enthusiastic volunteer who inspires all who cross her path.”
According to her write-up, Beecham started volunteering after her mother moved into Fraser Hope Lodge. She started as treasurer for the hospital auxiliary in 2011. Five years later she took over the role of gift shop manager.
“Her passion to provide a better experience for those in the hospital and the lodge led her to recruit more volunteers in order to extend the hours of the gift shop. This improved accessibility to comfort items for hospital visitors, patients and staff. Taking it a step further, Lynda transitioned the gift shop to be mobile and popped up at local senior facilities to provide them the opportunity to purchase items they may not normally have access to.
“Upon taking over the role as manager, the gift shop sales quadrupled in four years. With the added funds, the Auxiliary has been able to purchase wish-list items for residents.”
When the COVID pandemic forced the gift shop to shut down, Beecham found other ways to contribute. She created an ordering system for the residents of the Fraser Hope Lodge to provide access to important treats and toiletries. The bi-weekly orders were a hit and soon Beecham and her husband were going on weekly shopping trips within the Valley.
“Some of these individuals have no one to get them things,” she said. “It was important that the residents of the Lodge had something to look forward to when they couldn’t see anyone [during the pandemic].”
Above and Beyond is an annual event celebrating the outstanding achievements of Fraser Health employees, physicians and volunteers. Nominations are accepted from February 1 until April 30 each year, with the awards handed out in a special ceremony in September.