Greater Sudbury Northern Life
The YMCA of Sudbury, together with YMCAs across Canada,
spent last week working to inspire and empower youth and adults
to make a positive impact on the world around them.
"In today's globalized world, we are all connected to each
other more than we may realize," said John Schmitt, YMCA
Sudbury CEO.
"By instilling a sense of global responsibility, compassion,
and justice in our friends, families and colleagues, we can
inspire each other to make the world a better place."
A special highlight of the week was the awarding of the YMCA
Peace Medal to an individual or group who, without any special
resources, demonstrates a commitment to peace through special
contributions made within their community or overseas.
This year's recipients were Lori Adams and Dr. Ray Wiss.
Lori Adams is a retired Rainbow District School Board principal
who has dedicated hundreds of hours in building awareness of
global peace issues.
Adams has worked with various United Church congregations, is a
member of the International Peace Prayer Society and is
spearheading the "Sudbury Minga for Massai" education
program which assists children in Kenya.
Adams helped co-ordinate the Sudbury part of the First Nations
touring art exhibit at Fielding Park, and has organized annual
peacemaker symposiums where children from area schools joined
in peace and leadership training.
Dr. Ray Wiss, who grew up in Sudbury, has had an incredible
path to medicine.
His accomplishments are numerous, and include stints as an
Infantry Officer in the Canadian Forces, director of recreation
in a maximum security institution, and a paramedic in a war
zone.
Wiss joined the staff of the Sudbury Regional Hospital in early
2001 after completing training in ED Ultrasound in Chicago and
assisted in the implementation of this technique at the
hospital.
Wiss is known throughout North America for his work using
ultrasound in emergency medicine. He spent three months this
year on the front lines patching up Canadian and Afghan soldier
casualties, often using a portable ultrasound.
