Société santé en français: Innovation Award 2024

Innovation Award SSF 2024

RSA is proud to announce that the Innovation Award, presented by the Société Santé en français (SSF), was awarded to Dr Michelle Dion. The award recognises innovative and exceptional contributions in French-language health services or in disease prevention and health promotion in French.

From a personal initiative, Dr Michelle Dion brought together a team of contributors whose work demonstrated exceptional commitment to the development of French-language health in their community. She contributed innovatively by designing educational videos and workshops on various health issues and tools to improve the well-being of Francophones. In this way, future healthcare professionals (health students at the University of Alberta’s Campus Saint-Jean) improve their knowledge in the health field while developing their communication skills.

To date, the videos have reached more than 25,000 people. Topics covered range from vitamin D to insomnia in seniors to everything you need to know about shingles. The latter video received over 18,000 views (YouTube: Educ-franco-santé – Facebook: Educ-franco-santé).

Educ-franco santé successfully informs Francophones without funding. Everything is done voluntarily. Dr Dion works full-time at the East Edmonton Health Centre as a family physician. The popularity of the videos and workshops has also created demand across Canada. In 2022, 19 workshops were facilitated (mostly via Zoom). In 2023, 6 presentations were given, including 4 in person in Falher (430 km northwest of Edmonton). In addition, the 50+ group in British Columbia and the 55+ group in Saskatchewan continue to organise workshops with Éduc-franco santé.

Dr. Dion has also been a member of the RSA Board of Directors since 2018 and Vice-President since 2021. Her involvement on the Board is a strength for RSA.

“Without active offer of service, demand is suppressed,” a quote from the Supreme Court of Canada.