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Dr. James MacTavish

“Having grown in up rural Manitoba and being familiar with the friendly nature of small town living, it was an easy decision to pursue rural medicine. I have worked in Treherne for nearly three years and feel I was well prepared by Manitoba’s rural residency program for the work environment that exists in a smaller community. Our work entails a broad scope of practice, and we are challenged to problem-solve and enhance our knowledge on a daily basis.

My colleagues and I derive a lot of satisfaction from the opportunity to provide continuity of care to our patients. To develop a relationship and help them navigate the health-care system is truly gratifying.”

Family Medicine Physician

Dr. Denis Fortier

Dr. Fortier is the VP Medical Services/Vice-Président – Services Médicaux, Assistant Professor, for the University of Manitoba and works in Southern Health-Santé Sud.

He states that working and living in a rural community like Southern Health-Santé Sud allowed him to practice family medicine as it was always intended to be – the full spectrum from babies to seniors and everything in between.

Some of that involved offering primary care, emergency care and acute care services. Dr. Fortier indicates that,

“There is something really rewarding to fully understanding the patient in the context of their family within the context of their community.”

VP Medical Services / Vice-Président – Services Médicaux
Assistant Professor, the University of Manitoba

Dr. Carine Minders

South Africa was home to Dr. Carine Minders where she also trained and practiced Family Medicine along-side her father Dr. Louis Minders.

Carine, with her parents decided to move to Canada just over a year ago and looks forward to her younger brother relocating to Canada in the near future.

“Canada is truly an amazing country with multiple different cultures and nationalities working towards a common goal”.

Dr. Minders says it was easy to embrace Canada as her new home because she found there were no cultural barriers and English was her first language.

She chose Manitoba because she knew another South African doctor working in Brandon and as a result, Dr. Minders currently works as a full time Hospitalist at Brandon Regional Health Centre, which also includes some shifts in the Emergency department.

“I knew very little about the different provinces in Canada, but after living here for just over a year now, I would choose Manitoba again! I cannot say enough good things about the hospital and I consider all the people there as my new and opted extended family. There is a special atmosphere of camaraderie when you walk through the doors in the morning and I am happy to be at work every day.”

Dr. Minders looks forward to starting a new Trans Health Clinic in Brandon this spring, stating that she was extremely proud to be part of such a wonderful health system. She indicated that she was able to practice first class evidence-based medicine to all people regardless of their financial background. Dr. Minders can focus on providing the best healthcare for each and every patient without first checking if their health care plan allows me to do so. I am proud that we can also practice a lot of preventative care and we have proper screening guidelines.

“I think family practice in Canada has allowed me to do what I truly believe in: Holistic patient care. Manitoba has a reputation for being the friendliest province, and I can testify to that as ”being fact.”

Family Medicine Physician

Amber Chrisp

Amber Chrisp is a health-care aide working in Flin Flon’s emergency department. It’s a role that keeps her busy and fulfilled, providing her with a strong sense that she is making a difference in her community, each and every day.

Caring for others has always come naturally for Amber Chrisp. A single mother to three boys, she was looking for a career that was both meaningful and that would support her family. Born and raised in Flin Flon, Chrisp found the perfect fit working as a health-care aide (HCA). The role allows her to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families right at home in her own community.

“I’ve been a health-care aide for the past 24 years and would not change a thing. From the smiles on patient’s faces to the hugs I’ve received, it has always made me feel grateful for having the opportunity to work in such a fulfilling field.”

Health-care aides support many different areas within the health care system. Chrisp began her career working in a long-term care facility and then moved into a hospital setting, working in an acute medicine/pediatric unit. For the past five years, Chrisp has been working full time in Flin Flon’s General Hospital Emergency Department, an important member of a multidisciplinary team of Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Emergency Physicians and a Respiratory Therapist.

“No two days are ever alike, it’s such an exciting career.” I chose the emergency department to challenge myself in a new area of health care.”

Navigating the fast-paced and often high-pressure environment of an emergency department is challenging, but Amber remains a patient and calm support for those in need of care, offering a comforting word or a hand to hold as she goes about her daily tasks

“We see patients in all levels of acuity, and every day I am inspired to better myself to provide the best level of care I can to help my patients in their healing process.”

As a team player, Chrisp understands the value her role brings to a patient’s overall health care experience. Transporting patients, assisting physicians with procedures, preparing suture trays, sanitizing rooms for safety, and using her CPR training to perform chest compressions during emergency codes are just some of the activities that Amber is trained to support. While some days are more difficult than others, Chrisp always gives 110 per cent to her patients, helping them stay calm in stressful situations and ensuring they are well taken care of during their stay.

“I pride myself on being able to help the team and our patients anyway I can within my scope of practice to make each patient’s experience a positive one.”

Health Care Aide

Dagan Aymont

“It’s the patients, that relationship with them. Knowing that I helped encourage somebody, anybody, to push through and find their strength in a time where it’s near impossible to, because it’s easier to stay in the dark than it is to see the light.”

Health Care Aide

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

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