On behalf of its members, the SGEU Health Providers express sorrow at the untimely death of Tom Thomas, a CUPE member and Continuing Care Aide from The Battlefords, who passed away this week after being diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this month.

“Our sympathies go out to Tom’s family, friends, and coworkers,” said Tracey Sauer, Bargaining Chair of SGEU Health Providers. “Like all health providers, Tom Thomas put others above himself, as he worked tirelessly to care for those in the two health facilities where he was employed.”

“Tom is an example of the kind of dedication and compassion we see from health providers right across Saskatchewan, who ensure patients, residents, and clients in the health system receive the support and services they need, and who have put themselves at increased risk during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Sauer added. “We want to recognize and acknowledge the grief and fear this situation brings to all health providers who continue to deal with COVID-19 outbreaks, heavy workloads, short-staffing, and the stress of contracting the virus or spreading it to their families or others in the community.”

Tom Tomas was originally from India where he worked as a nurse before coming to Canada in 2016. As a Continuing Care Aide in The Battlefords, Tom tested positive for COVID-19 on February 6 and passed away on February 15. He leaves behind his wife and 18-month-old daughter.

“I ask everyone to keep Tom’s family in their thoughts in the coming days and weeks,” said Sauer. “As we continue dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, I also want to thank all health providers for their work and dedication during this challenging time. I ask all residents of Saskatchewan to pull together and follow all pandemic protocols to keep each other safe and healthy, and to protect all health providers who are there to care for us when we need them.”

The SGEU Health Providers represent a wide variety of health providers in the former Kelsey Trail Health Region, Mamawetan Churchill River Regional Health Authority, and Keewatin Yatthe Regional Health Authority.

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For more information, contact:
Carolyn Rebeyka
Communications Officer, SGEU
Cell: 306.519.2903