Celebrating Allied Health Professionals

SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 6 Celebrating Allied Health Professionals By Sara Locke "Many members of the team didn't grow up here in The Pas. We each have different reasons for finding our way here but our rea- son for staying is the same — it's the team." – Danielle Geddes, occupational therapist. O ften, when we think of health care, the images that come to mind are a nurse holding the hand of their pa- tient or maybe a doctor in a crisp white coat. It's less common to think of the arms that support a patient as they take their first steps after an injury, the encouraging voice teaching a stroke survivor to relearn how to use their hands, or the reassuring face guid- ing a client through their new routines after an illness. These arms, voices and faces belong to vi- tal members of health-care teams who sup- port recovery and life after illness or injury for Manitobans. At The Pas Health Complex, these dedicated and specialized members of the complex's rehabilitation team are making meaningful and often life-changing contributions to the health and well-being of community members each and every day. "Our vision of a patient's journey is dif- ferent than other health-care professions," says Monique Levesque, a physiotherapist and the rehab team's charge therapist. "We see patients in many different envi- ronments, not just in a clinic or treatment room. As a physiotherapist, I see patients from their first moments, through school, in their homes and community, to their end of life. It's a privilege to help people through each phase." The dynamic team includes a mix of skill sets and professions, including physio- therapy, occupational therapy, speech lan- guage therapy, rehab assistance and ad- ministration. Together, these allied health professionals work closely to provide reha- bilitation services for the 6,000 people who call The Pas home, as well as residents of surrounding communities in the northern health region. Levesque started out as one of the only two therapists providing rehabilitation care at the health facility in The Pas, after mov- ing to the northern Manitoba community with her husband 23 years ago. "Our team has grown since, but it's not un- common for communities here in the north to face challenges related to staffing and access to resources. But it enables us to work together, be resourceful and think of new and innovative ways to make sure a cli- ent gets the care they need," Levesque says. "We also see more diverse caseloads than you would in an urban facility or specialized setting and we care for patients in different environments, of many different ages and diagnoses. We really put every single thing we learned in school into practice. Together, we are rehab for patients." Levesque's colleagues consider her "the glue" that holds the now 12-person team to- gether, identifying her as a strong advocate for enhancing patient experience and edu- cating other professions about what their team can do. This passion inspires other members of the team, like Danielle Geddes, who is the team's dedicated community oc- cupational therapist. "She is a pillar for our team — making sure we are strong and support each other. She's always thinking about what's next, looking at what we can build and where there is op- portunity," Geddes says. "She actually helped recruit me when I worked with the team as a student." It was during her placement in The Pas that Geddes saw first-hand how working in a smaller northern facility exposes health- care providers to a wide variety of cases and more opportunities to look at care dif- ferently. It's something that she still values in her practice 10 years later. In her role, Geddes meets clients in their home to get a clearer understanding of the support she can offer them through their re- covery. She helps them adapt to their day- to-day routines to allow for their best qual- ity of life, while considering all factors like internet connectivity issues or reduced ac- cess to resources. "We have to look at things much more broadly and train our brains to think about the bigger picture," Geddes says. "You need to consider what this person can actually do at home, what does their environment look like, and how we can we actually support them." Each voice and perspective is important as the team comes together to provide the best care possible for their clients — con- sulting with members of the rehab team or other providers. "Having more diverse lenses allows us to explore every case from all angles," Geddes says. "If you're just looking at a client in a medical way on an inpatient unit but not thinking about how they can go to the bath- room, how they can move or their nutrition, it may not help them holistically. There is a huge role for allied health professionals and interdisciplinary work to meet patient needs and a make difference for patients over the longer term. I really love that." Likewise, Levesque points out the oppor- tunities available in the northern work envi- ronment. "We have a saying when it comes to work- ing in the north. If you can work here and thrive here — in a place that is more remote location and has less access to resources but more opportunity for innovation and ex- panding your practice — then you can work anywhere," Levesque says. Together, we are Rehab ALLIED HEALTH STAFF SUPPORT RECOVERY IN THE PAS S UPPLIED PHOTO Back row: Ally Forrest, occupational therapist; Danny Halpin, physiotherapist; Danielle Geddes, occupational therapist; Tara Verklan, speech-language pathologist Front row: Renée Hayes, administrative support and intake co-ordinator; Monique Levesque, physiotherapist; Shelly Donaldson, administrative support Missing from photo: Victoria Drapete, physiotherapist; Simone Leclaire, occupational therapist Thank you to our Health Care Professionals Helping Manitobans breathe with ease, better manage lung disease, and improve their quality of life. To learn more or to donate: www.mb.lung.ca Toll-free at 1-888-262-5864 "We see patients in many different environments, not just in a clinic or treatment room." — Monique Levesque, a physiotherapist and the rehab team's charge therapist You need to consider what this person can actually do at home, what does their environment look like, and how we can we actually support them." — Danielle Geddes, occupational therapist

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