Annual PSW Conference to showcase participants' strengths
Organizer says it's a day of 'empowerment' in the industry


Monday February 28, 2011 -- Kristian Partington
The Preferred Health Care Services annual PSW Conference shows that Personal Support Workers(PSWs) from across the province are the back-bone of long-term care.

Event planner Meagan Whitehorn says the inaugural conference seven years ago was the first of its kind for PSWs. “We celebrate this day especially for such hard-working employees,” she says, “whether they work in a long-term care home or work in the community.”

Like-minded PSWs gather from across the province to learn from each other’s experiences, stories and best practices, she says.

Though the province is diverse and there are small differences between the roles of a PSW in downtown Toronto and more isolated communities, fundamentally, everyone’s job is the same, says Whitehorn.

“It really helps them realize that we all face the same challenges and when we come together to share best practices and funny stories we can really connect,” she says.

“It’s a very empowering day.”

Upwards of 150 people are expected to attend the conference where a major focal point will be the ‘personality dimensions’ sessions, led by Sharron Hart and other Preferred Health Care Services staff members.

Hart says session participants will examine how to get the most out of their workplace relationships and maximize the potential of their fellow PSWs.

One area that participants will look at, says Hart, “is what drives us, what makes us tick, what makes us happy, what makes us not happy, what makes it easy to work with some people and so difficult to work with other people.”

“The idea is that by learning more about ourselves, we learn more about others,” she adds.

When people have a chance to look within themselves they can visualize their inner gifts, says Whitehorn. This conference is about streamlining that process and helping PSWs build upon their wealth of strengths.

The conference will be held in Markham on May 4, 2011. For more information call 647-242-3840            647-242-3840      

If you have questions or comments on this story call 1-800-294-0051 1-800-294-0051      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, ext. 24 or email kristian(at)axiomnews.ca