“A lot of the team didn’t grow up here at The Pas. Each of us has different reasons for finding our way here, but the reason for staying is the same – it’s the team.” – Danielle Geddes, occupational therapist. Often times when we think of healthcare, the images that come to mind are a nurse holding her patient’s hand, or perhaps a doctor in a crisp white coat. It is less common to think of the hands that support a patient as they take their first steps after an injury, the encouraging voice that teaches a stroke survivor to relearn how to use their hands, or the reassuring face that guides a client through their new habits after an illness. These hands, voices and faces belong to vital members of the health care teams that support recovery and life after illness or injury for Manitobans. At The Pas Health Complex, these dedicated and skilled members of the complex’s rehabilitation team make meaningful and often life-changing contributions to the health and well-being of community members every day. “Our vision of a patient’s journey is different from other health care professions,” says Monique Levesque, physical therapist and addiction team therapist. “We see patients in many different settings, not just in a clinic or treatment room. As a physical therapist, I see patients from their first moments, from school, to their home and community, to the end of their lives. It’s a privilege to help people at every stage.” The dynamic team includes a combination of skill sets and professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, detox assistance and administration. Together, these allied health professionals work closely together to provide rehabilitation services for the 6,000 people who call The Pas home, as well as residents of the surrounding communities in the northern health region. Levesque started as one of only two therapists providing rehabilitative care at the health facility in The Pas after moving to the northern Manitoba community with her husband 23 years ago. “Our team has grown since then, but it is not unusual for communities here in the north to face challenges related to staffing and access to resources. But it allows us to collaborate, be resourceful and think of new and innovative ways to ensure a client gets the care they need,” says Levesque. “We also see more different cases than you would in an urban facility or specialist setting, and we care for patients in different settings, of many different ages and diagnoses. We really put into practice every thing we learned in school. Together, we are detox for patients.” Levesque’s colleagues consider her “the glue” that holds the now 12-person team together, identifying her as a strong advocate for improving the patient experience and educating other professions about what their team can do. This passion inspires other team members, such as Danielle Geddes, who is the team’s dedicated community occupational therapist. “He’s a pillar for our team — making sure we’re strong and supporting each other. He’s always thinking about what’s next, looking at what we can build and where the opportunities are,” says Geddes. “He actually helped recruit me when I was working with the team as a student.” It was during her placement at The Pas that Geddes saw firsthand how working in a smaller facility in the north exposes health care providers to a wide variety of cases and more opportunities to see care differently. It’s something she still values in her practice 10 years later. In her role, Geddes meets with clients in their homes to better understand the support she can offer them through their recovery. It helps them adapt to their daily routines to have the best quality of life while taking into account all factors such as internet connectivity problems or reduced access to resources. “We have to look at things much more broadly and train our minds to think about the bigger picture,” says Geddes. “You have to think about what this person can actually do at home, what their environment looks like and how we can really support them.” Every voice and perspective matters as the team comes together to provide the best possible care for their clients — consultation with rehabilitation team members or other providers. “Having more diverse lenses allows us to explore each case from all angles,” says Geddes. “If you’re just looking at a client in a medical way in a nursing facility, but you’re not thinking about how they can go to the toilet, how they can move or their diet, it may not help them holistically. There is a huge role for allied health professionals and interdisciplinary working to meet patient needs and make a difference for patients in the long term. I really love this.” Similarly, Levesque points to the opportunities that exist in the northern working environment. “We have a saying when it comes to working in the north. If you can work here and thrive here—in a place that is more remote and has less access to resources but more opportunity to innovate and expand your practice—then you can work anywhere,” says Levesque. From November 6 to 12, Manitoba’s health care organizations are celebrating the diverse and highly specialized skills of our province’s allied health professionals. Representing nearly 200 disciplines working in every sector and area of our health system, allied health professionals are vital members of our healthcare teams.
