Home > Testimonials > Allied Health Providers

Laura’s Story

Our Stories

I’m thrilled by how easy it is to navigate both within the city and when leaving city limits, even on a busy weekend.

Laura

Clinical Psychologist

BACK TO ALL STORIES

<

Laura in a blue sweater smiling at the camera over looking a forest in fall.

Laura’s Story

My Manitoba journey has been an adventure from the start.

I’ve seen so much of the province already, taking advantage of how easy it is to get around and making every effort to get to know my new home.

From day one, I’ve taken opportunities to explore. When I first moved to Winnipeg from Toronto, I opted for a road trip, camping along the way in different provincial parks. I started my new job, working as a clinical psychologist at the province’s largest hospital – Health Sciences Centre (HSC) – and on that first weekend after my arrival, I made the journey to Churchill.

"Winnipeg has its own vibrant culture, with lots of new restaurants and bars to try, concerts to attend, and groups
to join."

Churchill is one of the most northern communities in Manitoba, only accessible by train or plane, and known for its incredible and unique natural beauty. While there, I was lucky enough to experience the “Churchill trifecta” – seeing Northern Lights, polar bears and beluga whales in a single weekend.

Living in Winnipeg, I’m thrilled by how easy it is to navigate both within the city and when leaving city limits, even on a busy weekend. One of my favourite things about Winnipeg is the ease with which I can head in any direction for a new experience. Within an hour, I can find a campsite, hiking trail, provincial park, or paddling experience. The accessibility of nature here has really fed my desire to explore!

And when I’m in the city, there’s no shortage of activities, nightlife and entertainment. After living in Toronto and Montreal for the last 15 years, I didn’t know how I would adapt or what to expect from a somewhat smaller city like Winnipeg. But in reality, Winnipeg has its own vibrant culture, with lots of new restaurants and bars to try, concerts to attend, and groups to join.

I’ve found the term “Friendly Manitoba” to ring true in my experience. I’ve only been here a year, but I’ve made so many friends already. Colleagues have introduced me to their social circles, and I’ve met so many great people through rock climbing, soccer, and hiking groups. People have been so welcoming and made it easy for me to make a home here.

As a clinical psychologist, Manitoba is a unique place to work, as we are considered both medical staff within the provincial health system and hold an academic appointment with teaching and research responsibilities at the University of Manitoba.

This job has provided me with excellent opportunities for training and professional growth, in a warm work environment that truly values psychologists as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. It is so rewarding to contribute to patient care, providing assessment and intervention to improve individuals’ everyday functioning and quality of life. I’m really happy to be working and living in Manitoba!

-Laura

Ian Hay

“Health Sciences Centre (HSC). is Manitoba’s trauma centre for the province, so there are many areas for advancement. The profession of Respiratory Therapy is evolving — at HSC, there are different roles and opportunities for involvement where I can learn new skills and expand my knowledge.

As a member of the Allied Health Research committee, I am connected with other members of allied health and the research projects that various professions are involved in. It’s also a great resource for assistance with any research ideas.”

Respiratory Therapist

Celina Wang

“I really enjoyed my time as a student at Health Science Centre (HSC). The team has been a great group to learn from — their passion drives them to increase their skills and knowledge to be the best respiratory therapists they can be.

They care about each other and this made me want to come back. I was happy to accept a job offer in the intensive care unit because the work keeps me constantly on my feet. The most complex and critical patients are cared for in this facility, so it’s very rewarding to look after patients who need it the most.”

Student Respiratory Therapist

Sebastien Tessier

“Manitoba is an active and growing place for RT’s. Moving from the nation’s capital in 2013 to start a career in Winnipeg was not a small decision. With many dense areas of the country offering limited opportunities for new graduates, Manitoba’s growth offers many. Winnipeg is a hub for a large geographic region of the country which is served by two large tertiary facilities and a children’s hospital, with one of the hospitals representing the strong French community in central Canada.

Since I’ve started my journey, I’ve had the opportunity to work with adults and children in critical care but spent most of my career working with pediatrics and neonates. The opportunities in both these scopes of practice are growing. RT’s are advancing their skills with training to perform ultrasound and intubate patients at the bedside. I now find myself working as part of the transport team for pediatrics and neonates. A small group of RT’s with advanced training that travels as far as Nunavut to care for sick kids. I never would have thought that flying in helicopters and airplanes was an option for me going into the profession and I love every bit of it. There is an adult team of RT’s that transport as well for those that don’t have the interest in pediatrics.

With the University of Manitoba offering a bachelor’s degree of Respiratory Therapy, you can complete your degree on a part time basis, its definitively something I would recommend anyone to do. Several RT’s in the province are also pursuing graduate studies as well which is a great opportunity. Research is another exciting area for RT’s. I received a small grant in 2020 from the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba for a clinical study in the field of aerosols. The opportunities are really endless.

While Winnipeg may not be familiar to many, it is a surprisingly vibrant city with lots of festivals and culture. Food festivals are definitively high on my list with poutine week having over 100 restaurants competing. The winters are only cold if you don’t dress for them and the summers are hard to beat. The easiest thing anyone can do is reach out with questions. The ones that have I’m lucky to call my colleagues.”

Respiratory Therapist

Skip to content