Alumni Profiles
C
orinne (Holdal) Huedepohl, nurse practitioner at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and Stollery Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, was nominated for Canada’s Nursing Hero award and placed second. She is the first nurse practitioner authorized to perform sedated botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injections for children in an operating room (OR) without a physician present. These injections help manage spasticity caused by rapid growth during childhood.
Nursing Hero Corinne Huedepohl Corrine explains, “Children’s bones grow faster than muscles. So if a child has an underlying muscle problem, muscles tighten up significantly. Often children eventually require surgery to manage tight muscles and tendons and to correct bony deformities. Having Botox can delay the need for these surgeries.” One of Corinne’s patients is Liam. He was only 5 years old when a trampoline accident resulted in a stroke that left him a quadriplegic. That was in 2015. Corinne met him a year later when Liam started having spasticity in his legs.
Corinne’s independent OR work is precedent setting. No other programs in Canada allow nurse practitioners this designation. Nor is there an organization that grants permission or competency in injecting Botox. Corinne writes, “We needed to somehow prove competency, both to reassure families and to satisfy colleagues in the OR. Thus, we wrote up a two-year plan that designated the progression of skills over time. Top management at both Corinne (Holdal) Huedepohl, HS ‘92 the Glenrose and Stollery hospitals signed off on all documents. Dr. Yiu, CEO of Alberta Health, signed the Nurse Practitioner Role Description addendum.
Since Liam’s injury, he has needed 10 sets of Botox injections. He also received an implanted pump in 2018 that delivers baclofen, an anti-spasticity medication, directly to his spinal cord. Recently he had orthopedic surgery.
“Our protocol is not standardized as of yet, but certainly could be used as an example to any other nurse practitioners attempting to change practice in the OR or other environments. One advantage we have here in Edmonton is the wonderful access to the Stollery OR for doing these procedures.”
Corinne sees Liam frequently for pump refills, check-ups, and Botox injections. She says, “He will never mobilize without a wheelchair, but the goals are to keep him comfortable and pain free and allow him to tolerate his wheelchair and braces.”
Today, Corinne performs and supports 50 to 60 percent of monthly juvenile spasticity treatments in northern Alberta. Canada’s Hospital News reports, “Children experiencing pain are no longer limited by individual physician OR time.”
H
arold Reimche celebrated his 100th birthday on August 18. Burman University joins Harold’s many loved ones and friends in congratulating him on attaining this momentous milestone and wishes him much joy and great blessings as he begins another century of life. When Harold first arrived in Lacombe, he enrolled at Canadian Junior College (CJC). When he graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor’s degree in theology, he matriculated from Canadian Union College (CUC). One of the first eight students to receive a degree from what is now Burman University, Harold ministered in the Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, Greater New York, and Potomac conferences. His first assignment was to the Olds/Acme District. A few months after starting his pastoral duties, he married Mary Penner, a student at CUC. Together they raised two boys and two girls. Their boys, Al and Don, also graduated from the school on the Hilltop where their parents met. One of the highlights of Harold’s ministry was his ordination at the Peoria, AB, camp meeting. He loved his Lord and continued serving in various pastoral positions even after his retirement in 1986.
Harold Reimche Photo by Doreen Zyderveld-Hagel
Alumni and friends send best wishes on Harold’s 100th birthday!
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