Psychiatric nursing in Saskatchewan has seen the emergence, from time to time, of individuals whose contributions were so exceptional and sustained, whose all around persona is so close to out image of the ideal psychiatric nurse, that the merit special recognition and mention in our history.
One such person is Arthur Gondziola. With roots in small town Saskatchewan, Art was well suited for his chosen career.
He entered the Public Service of Saskatchewan on September 12, 1957 by accepting the position of Psychiatric Nurses Aide at the Saskatchewan Hospital, Weyburn. He later entered the psychiatric nursing training program at that hospital and in 1961 graduated and registered in the profession.
During his career, that spanned nearly 47 years, he has remained dedicated to the field of Mental Health and the special support needs of psychiatrically disabled persons and their families. A timely and effective response to persons and families in psychiatric crisis was always his top priority.
Upon registration with SPNA, he was ready to take on the newest challenge available in the Mental Health Service. He accepted employment in the newly built Yorkton Psychiatric Centre in 1962. As one of the original staff, Art was instrumental in assisting with the implementation of North America's first comprehensive community based psychiatric service facility.
Under the scrutiny of the world professional community, this bold and innovative initiative provided him with a once in a life time opportunity to get a rare experience on the cutting edge of developments in both psychiatric inpatient nursing and community psychiatric care.
When Phase II of the Saskatchewan Plan for community services unfolded in the Prince Albert Psychiatric Centre, Art was the natural candidate to take over the administration of the center's nursing service. From 1970-1977 he serves this facility well, giving it a firm grounding in policy and procedure development and assisting the centre to receive its first accreditation status before moving on.
His next major assignment in his career was to be promoted to Director of Nursing at the Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford. Since the hospital experiences a major fire during the previous year, this assignment was seen as the most difficult and demanding position in the entire psychiatric nursing service in Saskatchewan, a job which many would not touch with the proverbial ten foot pole.
With quiet determination and good natured humor, Art was able to overcome considerable obstacles at this most traditional of facilities and proved to be up for the task of gradually realigning SHNB for its revised role in the modern era.
By 1981 it was apparent that there could be only on successor to the legendary Max Schreder, who took retirement from his position as the first Director of Psychiatric Nursing Programs for the province of Saskatchewan. So, Art entered the central office of Mental Health Service in Regina where his talents took him into fields far beyond nursing alone, and the list of his responsibilities and achievements in those years is too lengthy to expound upon. However, it is important to note that Art laid the foundation for the development of the early standards for Residential Services. He proceeded to standardize a regular orientation and ongoing training program for approved home operators and assisted in the introduction of a respite program for these caregivers as well. Before leaving this post, he prepared the history of the approved Home Program, co-authored the History of the Introduction of the Community Psychiatric Nursing Program in Saskatchewan and as well, documented the history of the Psychiatric Nursing Training Program in Saskatchewan.
This unprecedented progress or responsibilities throughout his career involved his living and working in five different mental health regions and occupying no less than thirteen different public service classifications. Thanks to the support and understanding of his wife, Corinne, he was able to maintain and admirable balance between these complex roles and his family obligations.
Following his early retirement from the Government Service in 1987, Art entered the CBO sector as a "full-time volunteer". Since Art first joined the CMHA, while a student as Weyburn, he was no stranger to volunteerism. Having served as provincial president, CMHA, in the past, he proceeded to co-found and develop an overall umbrella organization for all mental health related CBOs in the province called the Mental Health Coalition.
On November 1, 1990, Art took a major step in his commitment to the CBO sector by accepting the position of Executive Director for the Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan. As the society's first director, Art proceeded over the next 14 years to provide leadership in assisting the society with its development and expansion of its public education and awareness program on a province wide basis. He played a very important role in improving the outreach to rural families and in stabilizing the society's financial status. His nursing experience and administrative background enabled the society to develop and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with pharmaceutical companies, the health districts and government departments. It wasn't long before families in crisis from other provinces began seeking out his advice and counsel as well. Art would be the first in line to welcome new staff to other provincial societies and offer his help. Perhaps his support to newly developing provincial societies is the best example of the wide scope of dedication, influence and positive impact that Art has on the Schizophrenia movement across Canada. His other achievements that support this premise are; assisting with the development of the first handbook for families called Schizophrenia, Youth's Greatest Disabler; hosting of provincial conferences and planning several national events; promoting the introduction of information on Schizophrenia into the schools and eventually the school curriculum; and writing a brief history of the Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan, as well as preparing a history film for the 20th anniversary of the society.
Art has received several award and honorable mentions over the years:
Art is always modest, tactful and discreet. He can be counted on to take on the most difficult and challenging task and complete it on time. A consummate professional, gentleman and friend of the association deserving to receive the Excellence in Psychiatric Nursing Leadership Award.