Boissevain-Morton’s Head of Council Judy Swanson has taken on some new responsibilities and is now a member of the Prairie Mountain Health board.

Swanson said she was approached to consider taking on the new role and thought it was a good idea.

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) was officially formed in June 2012, following the Manitoba government amalgamation of the former regional health authorities of Assiniboine, Brandon and Parkland. It is one of five regional health authorities in the province.

The Region covers a geographically large area, around 67,000 sq. kilometres. It runs east-west from Saskatchewan/Manitoba border communities like Benito, Elkhorn and Russell to Waterhen Lake, Lake Manitoba and Treherne. From north-south, the region runs from the 53rd parallel north of Mafeking and close to Dawson Bay, right down to the United States border near communities like Melita, Deloraine, Boissevain, Killarney and Cartwright.

“I have an interest in the health of this area and I had an opportunity when I was asked if I would sit on the board for PMH. I did soul searching and wanted to know if I had the time to do it. So I’ve come off some other committees so I’d have the time needed to give to this. So as of this week I was appointed to the Prairie Mountain Health board.”

Judy Swanson has spent time on numerous boards and committees over the years and she’s excited to join the PMH board to see how health works. “We often make assumptions about health care and I know they have a lot of tough decisions to make and I hope I can now be part of that decision making process.”

Swanson knows she is on the board as a regional representative and not just for Boissevain-Morton.

“It’s always tough because my heart is hear and I will do my best for Boissevain-Morton but I know from my time on boards you have to look at things from a larger view and with a regional approach. I believe I can have a voice for this whole area and I’m delighted because I also know a number of people on council from this area and I feel I can represent them as well and not just me and my community.”

Swanson was motivated by the fact the existing board didn’t have a lot of people from south of the Trans Canada Highway.

“Decisions were being made without any input from this area and people who know me know that I will put my input in so I’m pleased and excited about this challenge” said Swanson.

Judy Swanson also checked to see if being an elected official sitting on the health board was a conflict of interest and she was told it wasn’t.

Her first board meeting will take place May 24.