SMHC Staff Profiles

Click Page Number: Dr. David Young Page 2 Dr. Charles Barnes Page3 Alfred Barnett Page 4 Mary Alberta Hornibrook Page 5 John Martyniw Page 6 Gerald Pronyk Page 7 Dr. Edward Johnson Page 8 John Robert Burns Page 9 Joseph Winnemueller Page 10 Dr. Annette Thorimbert-Osted Page 11 Alice Inniss Page 12 Lorna Weiss Page 13 Dianne L Garboieau Page 14 Bonny Wynnobel Page 15 Dr. Michael Kovacs Page 16 1

Dr. David Young, MD Medical Superintendent 1871 to 1877 Dr David Young was born in Sarnia, Ontario on the 18th February, 1847, son of Archibald Young and Helen Reid. David graduated from medical school at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario in 1871. He moved to Manitoba in June 1871 and practiced medicine at St. Andrew’s Rapids, near Lockport. That same year he made his home at Hawthorne Lodge on the banks of the Red River. Dr Young provided medical services to the Manitoba Penitentiary at Lower Fort garry from 1871 to 1877. He was active during the scurvy epidemic that swept through the district following the grasshopper plague of 1875 and a year later was sent to fight an outbreak of smallpox that killed many Icelandic immigrants at Gimli. In January, 1877 he became the Indian Agent and Medical Officer for Clandeboye Indian Agency. In 1884, the Provincial Government appointed Dr. Young to the position as Medical Superintendent of the Selkirk Mental Hospital. He remained head of this Institution until his retirement in March 1912. David married Rosina Somerville in 1872 and they had 5 children. Dr. Young died in Winnipeg the 16th October, 1931 and interred in the Little Britain Cemetery near his home. He is commemorated by a plaque at Lower Fort Garry. The recpetion building at the Selkirk Mental Health Cenre was renamed the “David Young Building” in 2009. 2

Dr. Charles Barnes, MD Medical Superintendent Founder of the School of Nursing Dr. Barnes was born at Forest, Ontario on the 24 October 1878, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Andrew Barnes, he was educated at Forest Public School, London Collegiate, and Western University (London, Ontario), graduaĞng from the laĢer in 1902. He then served in South Africa with the 10th Canadian Field Hospital and returned to Canada where he pracĞsed medicine at Pinkerton, Bruce County and at the Homewood Sanitarium at Guelph for 15 years. In 1920, he came to Sekirk Mental Hospital as the Medical Superintendent. He served in this capacity unĞl 1943. During his tenure he insĞtuted numerous reforms which included creaĞng the first training program for nurses in 1921. By 1926 the first school of nursing was formally created and the nurses’ residence was built. He was a member of the Canadian Medical AssociaĞon, Manitoba Medical AssociaĞon, American Hospital AssociaĞon, American Psychiatric Society. In 1918, he married Susan Cassidy of MassachuseĢs, USA. They had no children. He later married Muriel Beresford at Winnipeg. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and an avid golfer. Dr. Barnes died at Victoria, BriĞsh Columbia on 19 February 1945. 3

Alfred barneĀ, RPN Founder of the Manitoba Registered Psychiatric Nurses AssociaĐon. Alfred was the founding member of the Cambrian Credit Union (Selkirk). a founder, planner and Director of Tudor House Personal Care Home, and founding President of the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Manitoba in 1960 and one of the founders of the Selkirk Row-A-Lung. He was also involved in many other community organizations including Christ Church Anglican, the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation Board, the Association of Community Living, male voice choir, Selkirk Glee Club and the Selkirk Senior Harmonicats. The profession of psychiatric nursing owes much to the vision and courage which Alf possessed. On November 27th, 2009, the Selkirk Psychiatric Institute (SPI) became the Alf Barnett Building (ABB) as a tribute to his memory and tremendous contributions he made to the profession. 4

Mary Alberta Hornibrook, RN Matron Mary Alberta Hornibrooke was the last person to hold the unique position of Matron at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre. Miss Mary Alberta Hornibrook, (RN graduate of the Montreal General Hospital), arrived at the hospital in 1946 and retired twenty-one years later in December 1967 from the position of Associate Director of Rehabilitation. She arrived at was then called the Selkirk Mental Hospital which had over 1200 patients. Miss Hornibrooke functioned as the head of the female nursing services as well as that of the nurse training school. During her time at the hospital she not only witnessed the advent of Electric Shock Therapy which was introduced in the early 1940s, but also witnessed the hospital performing leucotomies in the Infirmary Building operating suite in the 1950s. In the 1940s male attendants, with Miss Hornibrooke’s instigation, were permitted to join the nursing lectures with the female nursing staff. By the end of the 1950s, both groups of staff graduated together as psychiatric nurses. Although short in stature and kind in disposition she was a mighty atom who played a important role in the development of psychiatric nursing in Manitoba. Mary Alberta Hornibrooke whom prior to her death in April 1982, returned to the Centre for special events where she always received a warm welcome. 5

John Martyniw, RN, RPN Nursing Instructor John immigrated to Canada from England where he had qualified as a SRN and RMN and began working at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre’s School of Psychiatric Nursing in 1957. In 1958 he moved to Winnipeg to work as a nursing Instructor (Mental Health) at the Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing. In 1962 John moved to Saskatoon to study for his Diploma in Nurse Teaching and in 1963 returned to the School of Psychiatric Nursing at Selkirk. He taught anatomy and physiology to the first year students in 1963 as well as psychiatric nursing and was the appointed Instructor in psychiatric nursing for general nursing students affiliated to the Centre from the St Boniface Hospital School of Nursing. John was very active in the formation of the former Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Manitoba, now the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses Manitoba, and served as the second President of the Association from 1966 to 1971. He also served as the Chair of the Psychiatric Nursing Education Committee of Canada and in 1981 John was awarded a lifetime membership to the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Manitoba. Not only was John the founding board member of Tudor House Personal Care Home on which he stamped his philosophy for personal care he also served from 1989 to 1991 as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Selkirk and District General Hospital. John died in September 2005 and much of his nursing legacy still exists. Psychiatric nursing today is enriched by his perspicacity and tenacity for raising the professional status and independence of psychiatric nursing education. 6

Gerald Pronyk, RN, RPN, BScN, MBA Senior Nursing Officer Gerald Pronyk, graduated from Selkirk Mental Health Centre (SMHC) in 1964. He went on to obtain his nursing degree from the University of Saskatchewan. In 1968, Gerald returned to SMHC where he worked as the Education Director of the School of Psychiatric Nursing until 1972, and as the Senior Nursing Administrative Officer from 1972 until 1991. Gerald was a major proponent for professionalizing psychiatric nursing education. He worked to transform a three year service orientated psychiatric nursing program into a rigorous two year degree program with the University of Winnipeg. Further consolidation of three diploma programs in the late 80’s and early 90’s led to the Baccalaureate Program in Psychiatric Nursing at Brandon University. Gerald also played an active role in enhancing facility-based standards for mental health care across Canada through twenty five years of participation in the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation. This involved pioneering work in developing minimum standards and key competencies for care facilities in mental health, long term care, acute care, ambulatory care, community mental health, forensic services, prisons, addictions and other special care facilities. Between 1991 and 2005 he worked to strengthen provincial mental health services with the Manitoba Health Department. Major areas of focus included the provision of high quality mental health services as close to a person’s residence as possible; the construction and implementation of acute care mental health facilities and programs in each of Brandon, Dauphin, The Pas, Portage La Prairie and Thompson; implementing new Forensic Services at SMHC, and; in partnership with Justice, Family Services, Correction Service Canada and Canadian Mental Health Association, developing case management programs for high risk individuals in the community. Gerald is currently retired in Winnipeg, and remains active on the Boards of St Joseph’s Residence, Rossbrook House, the Catholic Foundation of Manitoba, and the Knights of Columbus. He and his wife Lydia have also become fervent travellers with recent trips to Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and South America. 7

Dr. Edward Johnson, MD Medical Superintendent Doctor Edward Johnson, MD, graduated from the Manitoba School of Medicine in 1928. He joined the staff of SMHC as a psychiatrist in 1928 and completed post-graduate studies in psychiatry at the Harvard University in Boston and the John Hopkins Clinic in Baltimore. He was initially the Assistant Medical Superintendent and eventually appointed Superintendent of the Institution in 1943; a position he held until 1959 when he was appointed Provincial Psychiatrist for Manitoba. In 1953 Doctor Johnson was awarded by the American Psychiatric Association a special merit for administration. Under Dr Johnson’s guidance, the SMHC received the first ever award granted by the American Psychiatric Association for the advancement of care and treatment of patients in mental hospitals. Dr Johnson was also the pioneer of the open ward policy. It is interesting to note that in 1939, Dr Johnson wrote a paper for the Canadian Medical Journal highlighting the tremendous benefits for Insulin Shock Treatment for Schizophrenic patients. This paper can be read on the Archive web site under “articles & links. From 1958 to 1959 he served as President for the Manitoba Medical Association. During his stay at Selkirk he was an active Rotarian, he bowled, took figure skating lessons and along with his wife Eleanor was a member of a square dance club. Over the years, his droll sense of humour served him well. At the age of ninety-two he was admitted to the hospital with a suspected hip fracture. Eleanor, his wife of sixty years sat at his bedside while the students assessed his “mental acuity.” He answered all their questions, then, aware that his wife was without her hearing aid, responded “I never saw her before in my life,” to the final question as to his knowledge of who she was. After a long and distinguished career Dr Johnson retired in 1967, worked in private practice in Winnipeg and died in October 1994 at age 92 years. As a note of interest; Dr. Mary Anne Johnson, the niece of Dr. Johnson, is continuing in the family footsteps and works at SMHC as a psychologist. 8

John Robert Burns, RN, RPN Director of Nursing John Robert (Bob) Burns arrived at the Selkirk Mental Hospital in 1960 to become the Nurse Tutor at the hospital’s School of Nursing. Bob completed his general nurse training at the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, UK and his psychiatric nursing at Hollymoor Psychiatric Hospital. He soon became head of the school and was the initiator of the curriculum revision which would be utilised by all the three schools of psychiatric nursing at Brandon, Portage and Selkirk. Bob also ensured that the final examination was the same for all graduates in order to obtain registration as a Psychiatric Nurse. In 1963 Bob was appointed the Director of Nursing services for the hospital. This was a new appointment as previously there was a Chief Male Nurse and a Matron. Bob’s new position consolidated the nursing services under one central control. In 1965, he was proud to be the initiator in preparing the hospital to become the first mental hospital in Canada to receive accreditation. During this time he also studied at the University of Manitoba and obtained his hospital administrator certification. In 1972 Bob took a position as Interlake Regional Director of Health and Social Development. He travelled the Interlake extensively and valued the many kindnesses extended to him by the people of the area. The last position Bob held before retiring, was Chief Program Consultant. Bob was an active member of the Kiwanis in Selkirk and in 1966 he and other members began the process of forming the Selkirk Kiwanis Pipe Band. The band played for the first time at the Canada Centennial parade in 1967. Bob also suggested and organized the Manitoba Highland Gathering where he, many staff members from the Selkirk Mental Hospital, and parents of the pipe band volunteered their help to run the Highland Gathering each year. One year after retirement, Bob took on the new challenge of becoming Director of Skills Manufacturing. He devoted his time and energy to proving that the facility could run profitably while those who had recovered from mental illness could retrain and work in the community successfully. He initiated many changes within the nursing and education services and as a consequence, not everyone was in favour of his “new broom” approach. However, he 9

Joseph Winnemueller, RN, RPN Night Supervisor Joe Winnemuller graduated from St Bavo Noordwikerhout Mental Hospital in the Netherlands. In 1963, with his new bride, moved to the Dutch West Indies. After the Second World War he returned to the netherlands with his wife Alida and 4 children, where he trained and received his diploma in general nursing, 1950. Joe and his family immigrated to Canada in 1953 and commenced working at the Selkirk Mental Hospital as night supervisor until his retirement in 1976. Joesph died in 2002. Joe was a Japanese prisoner of war for three years and was forced to work on the River Kwai railroad. Joe at St John De Deo Haarlem Hospital for his General Nurse Training in 1950. Joe played SMHC’s Santa during the 1970s’ Joe, 4th from left, with fellow student nurses in 1936 for psychiatric nursing 10

Annette Thorimbert-Osted, RPN, LLD (hc) Former Executive Director College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses Manitoba Annette Osted, an alumna from SMHC in 1967, retired from her position as Executive Director of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba; a position she held for over 35 years. Annette was the first Executive Director appointed by what was then called the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association. Annette has been a tireless contributor to the profession of psychiatric nursing and has lead the development and growth of the profession at local, provincial and international levels. Annette became a recognized voice for psychiatric nursing in Canada and frequently her adept ability to navigate and negotiate the complex Government committee structures with her usual skill, knowledge and competence. Annette played an invaluable role for leading the College not only for future developments but also to ensure the enhancement of psychiatric nursing by advocating for the establishment of the Bachelor of Science in Mental Health 1986, the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing 1995 and the Master’s Degree in Psychiatric Nursing that commenced in January 2011 at Brandon university. In 2004, Annette was the first Manitoba recipient of the Registered Psychiatric of Canada award for professional leadership. Annette has stipulated that the practice of delivering psychiatric nursing care involves a capacity not only to participate actively in care provisions but also to accept responsibility for the effective and efficient management of that care, practised within a safe environment. A key role was her assisting and guiding the College to set practice and competency standards for entry to the register and, therefore, for entry into employment into Manitoba’s health care. Now retired, she is still actively involved as a Board Director with Age and Opportunity for Manitoba and is also a Director on the Board for the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society. Annette plans to continue her activities with the various non-profit organizations as well as fulfilling her wish to travel. In June 2012, Annette was awarded a Doctorate of Laws Degree Honoris Causa by Brandon University for her contributions to psychiatric nursing. 11

Alice Inniss, RN, RPN Inservice Education Alice Ann Inniss, nee Maryniewicz, is a SMHC Alumna of 1965. Alice also graduated from the Miisericordia School of Nursing in 1974. In 1984, she obtained a Certificate in Infection Control in Health Care from the University of Manitoba and a Certificate in Adult Education from Red River College in 1986. As a member of the Workplace Health and Safety Committee, Alice participated in the development of practices that enhanced the health and safety of staff and patients. She participated in the annual fire safety officer inspections and on a daily basis followed up on reported injuries and incidents to determine ways to prevent their reoccurrence. Alice retired in 2002 and currently resides in Selkirk with her husband Ken, also a RPN Alumnus 1963 from SMHC. Alice became a licensed lay reader in the Anglican Church in 1985 and continues to be actively involved with her church in this role as well as being a member of various committees. Alice and Ken are proud grandparents of two and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren who live in British Columbia. Alice began her nursing career on the ward for the elderly with mental illness and attained in 1970 the position of Head Nurse. From 1971 to 1980, Alice taught in the SMHC School of Psychiatric Nursing teaching basic nursing skills to first year students and assisting the medical / surgical instructors in the classroom and clinical areas. During this time she took on the responsibilities ff Health Nurse for all the student nurses. In 1980, Alice assumed the first full time position of Staff Health and Infection Control for the Selkirk Mental Health Centre. As a member of the multi-disciplinary infection control committee, she played a major role in developing infection control procedures and practices for the Centre with the aim to reduce the spread of infection. These practices were incorporated into the in-service education program that was offered annually to all staff. Alice was a resource to all disciplines in establishing and implementing infection control practices as a level acceptable to the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation. Alice was available to employees for personal counselling and as a resource for referrals to other health care professionals and employee assistance programs. 12

Lorna Weiss Librarian and Founding Member of the Archives Committee Lorna Weiss retired at the end of March, 2012 having spent 30 years working as a Library Technician at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre. Lorna was born and raised in Selkirk and after high school she moved to Winnipeg. After a few years working in the city she attended Red River College and graduated with a Diploma in Library Technology. Thus began her career as a Library Technician. While fresh from graduating she was hired by the Flin Flon School Division to worked at the Ruth Betts School for children ranging with ages from kindergarten to grade 9. Lorna originally planned to stay one year but said that the people were so friendly she stayed for three. When she returned to Selkirk she heard that the Selkirk Mental Health Centre was hiring and immediately applied. She was hired to work in the School of Psychiatric Nursing’s library and remained at the Centre’s library for 30 years saying that she has had a wonderful adventure. From the inception of the SMHC Archive Committee, Lorna has served most diligently as its Chairperson. Lorna says that she came to SMHC with basic beliefs and the Centre had helped her to become the person she is today She hopes to be able to give back as much as she has received from the Centre and use her skills to help where needed. On the home front, Lorna loves to read, scrapbook and collect butterfly items. She already has a book list to read and also looks forward to trying out new recipes. She loves to walk and greatly enjoys playing with her Bichon Havenese Poodle called “Jewel”. Lorna expresses her gratitude to all the people she has met over her thirty years and is grateful to them for being a part of her life. 13

Dianne L Gaborieau, RN, RPN, BA(psych) Director of Nurse Education Dianne Richards entered into psychiatric nurse training in 1965 and graduated in 1968. Dianne met her future husband, Alphonse Gaborieau, while there were both students in the same class. Dianne continued her nursing education by completing her general training ar Red River College in Winnipeg and went to complete her Bachelor degree in psychology at the University of Winnipeg. She returned to SMHC to work as a clinical nursing instructor within the school and in 1989 was appointed to the position as Director. This was a turbelent time for the school as the Provinical Government of Manitoba declared the closure of the psychiatric nursing program at SMHC. Future prpearation of psychiatric nurses would take place within a university environment. Dianne continued as Director until the last class to graduate in 1992 and the closure of the school. 14

Bonny Wynnobel, RPN Re-development Coordinator Bonny Wynnobel is a retired registered psychiatric nurse with over 39 years experience. The majority of her career was leading SMHC through transformative changes. From educational services; continuous imprvement; Manitoba health policiy and planning to her unique role as redevelopment coordinator. Bonny lead changes to patients’ recovery and safety. Some of Bonny’s projects included the establishment of the Family Advisory Group, advisor in the contsruction of the Tyndall Building and Acquired Brain Injury residence as well as evaluating the psycho-social program and the implementation of a new pharmacy medication dispensing system. In 2017, Bonny was one of 150 Canadians chosen as a “Difference Maker” in mental health and addictions. In 2019, Bonny was awarded the Manitoba Government Service Excellence Premier’s award. Since, 2015 Bonny has been a Director on the Board of the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Foundation. 15

Dr. Michael Kovacs, MD Medical Director Dr Kovacs served with the Royal Canadian Armoured Corp during World Ward II. He worked tirelessly as an advocate in mental health and served as the Medical Director for Selkirk Mental Health Centre for many years playing a pivitol role in guiding the hospital with its fundamental reforms. He championed a comprehensive Bill of Rights for patients which codified the right to privacy within a patient’s room, the ability to keep and display personal property, the right to communicate with people outside of the Centre as well as the right to excerise their vote during Provincial and Federal elections. As the Centre transitioned to community care Dr. Kovacs authored the following plaque for the original building: “This building was erected in 1886 and does not reflect the current concepts in the care and treatment of the mentally ill. This relic from the past is due to be demolished and may the crushing blows of the demolition hammer be a symbolic victory for the rights of our mentally ill to be cared for and treated in settings commensurate with their needs.” Dr. Kovacs retired to Victoria BC but soon found himself working at the Victoria Mental Health Centre and the Swift Street Medical Clinic. Each Monday he would volunteer and attended to the homeless population in the downtown Victoria area. He discontinued his medical practice at the age of 88 years to enjoy actual retirement working in his garden. Dr Kovacs died on May 9th 2020. at age 99 years. 16