c a r i b o u h... t h e Announcements

the
caribou heard
2015, September
In this Issue
Announcements2
Years of Service
Your link to and from the North
Volume 13, No. 1
Announcements
3
Goodbyes Dr. Charles Ferguson
4
Dr. David Grewar
7
Dr. Thomas (Ted) Edward
Cuddy8
Dr. Ethan Rubenstein
9
Pauline Wood Steiman 10
NMU Reflections
Dr. Jeff Ivey
Dr. Clarke Wilkie
11
12
Dr. Roos Retires
16
Photo Ops
17
Library Services
19
You might have
noticed it has been
over 8 months since
our last Newsletter.
Unfortunately, I
had to be away
from work for a
few months. I'm
back now and with
this Newsletter
I've packed in 8
months worth of
announcments
and some very sad
farewells to a few
NMU alumni.
Julie Creasey
Google: J.A. Hildes Northern
Medical Unit
Dr. Chona Lim receiving her Diploma at the IMG Graduation Ceremony on the 24th of
February. Dr. Lim is now one of our physicians in Garden Hill. Since last spring she has
impressed both her colleagues and communtiy members with her professionalism and her
friendliness.
W
elcome to Dr. Chona Lim who
started in Garden HIll in mid
March.
canada/manitoba/university-ofmanitoba-program-produces-19new-doctors-1.2969917
Every year the NMU sponsers
one or two physicians in the one
year IMG (International Medical
Graduates) Program. This past year
we sponsored Dr. Lim. The Program
is designed to prepare physicians
trained outside of Canada to
practice here.
Dr. Bill Miller (Psychiatrist)
has decided to step down from
providing services to Coral
Harbour & Whale Cove. His final
visit was at the end of February
2015. We have had the pleasure
of working with Dr. Miller since
2008 and earlier when he
travelled during his residency. It
is with regret that we lose him
but wish him all the best for the
future and thank him for his great
work, support, and dedication.
The CBC and CTV News covered
the IMG Graduation and a cheerful
and enthusiastic Dr. Lim was
featured: http://www.cbc.ca/news/
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
the caribou heard
Announcements, cont'd
Dr. Francis Newman, who started with the
NMU in September 2014 and who (along with
Dr. Mike Harrington) provide service to Arviat
will be adding visits to Coral Harbour and
Whale Cove.
We welcomed
Sheona Miller
in February as
our new Medical
Transcriptionist.
Sheona
previously
worked for HSC
in records and at
the Grace as a
transcriptionist.
Sheona Miller
New Renal Health
Nurse, Andrew Din successfully completed
the Manitoba Neprology Nursing course in
February 2015 and began working part-time
at the Renal Health Unit in April. Welcome
Andrew.
Charleigh Ashton Lucy Miller was born on
the 18th of November 2014. Child number
2 for Renal Health Nurses, Deanna (Unit
Supervisor) and Alex Miller who started at
the Renal Health Unit in April 2011. Alex &
Deanna started their family in Garden Hill
with the birth of their 1st child, Chester born
in November 2012. Congratulations Deanna
and Alex.
Baby Boy Keon arrived on the 1st of February
to deliriously happy parents, Dr. Afshin
Mobarakeh and his wife, Azadeh. Big
Page 2
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
Congratulations Afshin and Azadeh. I wasn't
able to get a photo for the newsletter but
having seen 100's of pictures of Keon on
Afshin's mobile phone I can objectively say
Keon is one cutey-patootie!
Renal Health
Nurses,
Jennifer and
Kevin Esau
also had a baby
girl born on the
2nd of March.
Congratulations
Jennifer and
Kevin.
And on the 8th
of April, Allison
Chidley
(Occupational
Therapist) and
Allison Chidley & Niamh
Graham Wells
welcomed baby
girl, Niamh Elaine Wells. Congratulations.
Sylvia Sunstrum, our ever cheerful HR
Coordinator returned to the College of
Dentistry in late July. Sylvia started at the
NMU in January of 2006 making her way over
from Dentistry. The NMU has always been a
place of camaraderie but when Sylvia started
in 2006 she moved it up another notch. We'll
miss seeing you every day Sylvia. And
promise to keep up the legacy of fun and
laughter.
Sylvia Sunstrum
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2015, September
the caribou heard
Volume 13, No. 1
Years of Service
The NMU Acknowledged the Number of Years
of Service of the Following Physicians
5+ Years
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dr.
Dr.
Dr.
Dr.
Dr.
Dr.
Dr.
Ibraim Ismail
Sara Goulet
Danny Bisson
Ludovic Delabie
Hanka Hulsbosch
Keleigh James
Habib Vakilitahami
10+ Years
• Dr. Deidre O'Flaherty
• Dr. Lawrence Spring
• Dr. Kurt Jansen
Dr. Joan Swain
• Dr. Paul Roos
15+ Years
• Dr. Nicole Riese
20+ Years
• Dr. Perry Gall
• Dr. Joan Swain
25+ Years
• Dr. Wendy Smith
Dr. Wendy Smith
Dr. Perry Gall
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 3
the caribou heard
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
Goodbyes
by Julie Creasey
Dr. Charles Ferguson
19 August 1932 - 19 August 2014
"There were the Gods and then there was Charlie."
A statement made by a physician when I asked her
about Dr. Ferguson. Hearing that, I thought how
could I, who only met him once, at the NMU's 40th
Anniversary Dinner, write an article about him. A
person who (according to everything I read and
heard) was larger than life, had accomplished so
much professionally and personally, had an impact
on everyone he met, and who (as described in
his obituary was) " ...devoted to his patients, and a
knowledgeable mentor to his residents, each of whom
would come to treasure and emulate some aspect of
his approach and personality into their own practices.
Charlie became affectionately known as the 'Gentle
Giant'. He had a warm, patient, and generous
heart, a quick wit, and a great sense of humour. He
loved people, loved to talk, to share new ideas and
perspectives. News clippings, great stories, and witty
remarks were never in short supply. Once you met
Charlie, you were a friend and an admirer forever".
"It takes a thousand voices to tell a single story".
To be sure, there are a few thousand stories about
this extraordinary person, here are but a few:
To be or not to be Confused
by Dr. Peter Sarfield
Dr. Charlie Ferguson and I had interacted on
a few occasions when he visited hospitals/
nursing stations where I worked, and similarly we
interacted occasionally when I did several months
of paediatric training and observation in Winnipeg
in the late 1970s, but in reality we barely glimpsed
each other; two ex-Nova Scotians involved in
northern cross-cultural health care, and both
inclined to accuse the other of voluminous BS, but
with little else in common.
However, we did have one intense shared-time.
The NMU's wise and mischievous Jack Hildes
offered me the chance to accompany Dr Ferguson
on a clinical consultant trip, through Churchill
Page 4
About Dr. Ferguson
• as a colleague of Dr. Hildes, he
travelled north before the NMU was
created
• he and Dr. David Grewar were the 1st
two NMU paediatricians
• consultant from 1969 - 1993
• after he left the NMU he maintained
ties to other physicians who were also
dedicated to circumpolar and northern
health
• in 1973 published the first paper on
child abuse in Canada
• tireless advocate for abused children
and Canada's leading child-abuse
investigator
• worked with urban, rural, and
Aboriginal agencies and child abuse
committees within Manitoba
• Director and Co-Founder of the Child
Protection Centre
and then on to the Keewatin Region of the thenNWT (now a part of Nunavut), specifically to
Rankin Inlet, Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet, and Coral
Harbour. I was along to carry-the-bags, a skill I
had developed in both Labrador and Manitoba.
Watching Charlie with the children/patients
and their parents, as well as with the nurses, was
an educational and humbling experience as I saw
how I could have been doing it in Labrador and
Northern Manitoba but often hadn't; on too many
days in too many places. He was kind, gentle,
subtle, and skillful, a healer of spirit as well as of
body, and he was rarely directive or domineering
with patients or parents. He was also consistently
aware of community perceptions and demands,
without ever losing his guiding awareness of his
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
role (as he saw it) as unbending advocate for and
defender of the individual child patient.
We were on that trip for almost two weeks and we
talked a lot, both of us enjoying and coping with
the ongoing
proximity
to varying
degrees. At
one point,
after a lengthy
debate (these
were never
about diagnosis
or treatment,
nor about the
quality of care
or heart, but
usually about
politics, and
the causes of
causes, and
the necessity
and/or
possibility of societal prevention) Charlie said,
"I reserve the right to be confused." This was
possibly a reference to what he may have seen
as my judgmental and dismissive quasi-certainty
regarding political and social issues and their
impact on health, in what later came to be called
"the social determinants of health."
His steadfast "confusion" and caution did not
extend, in my limited experience with him, to
matters of diagnosis and treatment, nor to
protective child-advocacy. He was a true and
courageous advocate, always taking a strong
and principled stance, whether popular with the
community or not.
the caribou heard
We arrived late in afternoon. The nurse sat down
with us, with about 20 charts, and for several hours
we all went though the issues with those children
and also discussed general approaches. The
nurse explained the problems of each child and the
pertinent family
issues with
great care and
understanding.
The discussion
was unrushed
and focused.
Charlie and
the nurse
were humble,
respectful,
compassionate
in their
consideration
of the
patients, the
families, and
community,
and each other. I had not experienced this kind
of dialogue, this kind of partnership in care, in my
medical training in Toronto nor my year of clinical
practice post graduation.
The next day I sat with Charlie as he reviewed
patients in the small cramped clinic room. He
was the first doctor I ever saw who, when faced
with the inevitable, prevalent, and intractable baby
skin rash, would throw open the ointment/cream
cupboard and ask the Mum which one worked
best.
I admired, respected, and supported Dr Charlie
Ferguson, and I, too, mourn his death. I also now
often reserve the right to be confused, at least for a
helpful while, as he helped teach me to do.
I was astonished by this—imagine a doctor asking
the Mum about the appropriate therapy! I was
also astonished that the Mum never hesitated­—
she went immediately to a particular tube. This
scenario repeated itself many times over the day.
I watched and I learned. I felt that I had found a
place and a way of being that fit.
Mother Knows Best
Charlie Ferguson was humble. He was wise. He
was then, and remains now, loved.
by Dr. Pam Orr
Dr. Hildes sent me up to Red Sucker Lake with
Charlie Ferguson when I first joined the NMU. He
thought it would be a good way to introduce me to
northern practice, and he was right.
Enduring Support from Charlie
by Dr. Sharon MacDonald
I first met Charlie in his NMU role as consultant in
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 5
the caribou heard
1973-74. He was always there for us docs and
nurses, families, and children. My last formal
consultation with Charlie was in 2012.
For four decades, Charlie was there
to help and guide and his input was
always sage. He was a wonderful
advocate, mentor, and friend. Never to
be forgotten!
Blessed with an Incomparable
Memory
by Dr. Michael Moffatt
As with so many other colleagues, the
first trip I made for the NMU was in the
company of Charlie Ferguson. He took
me to Repulse Bay. At that point in his
career he was moving into Child Protection and
still Director of the Ambulatory Clinic at Children's
Hospital. He felt that I, as a young
general Paediatrician, would be able to
replace him on these arctic tours now
that I had relocated to Winnipeg.
I remember how he interacted with the
long term nurse who was a powerful
figure known for challenging young
physicians in the days of one-nurse
stations. He was patient and respectful
and she clearly trusted and admired
him and his advice. He treated the rest
of the local staff in kind; with respect
and collegiality.
But the thing I remember most was the
way he dealt with mothers and children. He was
non-judgemental and caring. But most impressive
was the way he could put together a pedigree from
memory. So-and-so is your uncle/aunt/nephew/
brother etc, without reference to notes. He knew
the stories of all the relatives and his recognition of
kinships was appreciated by parents. It was kind
and I think his knowledge made people feel that he
understood their way of life. I did assume the responsibility for Repulse Bay and
Coral Harbour trips, an experience which I have
enjoyed for the past 32 years. I think I was able
to emulate his non-judgemental approach and his
respect for the knowledge of mothers. But I have
been totally unable to replicate his knowledge of
Page 6
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
families - a skill that was unique and powerful.
A Progenitor of Community
Medicine
by Dr. Kay Wotton
Charlie provided my initial exposure
to, what is labeled in the developing
world as, Social Paediatrics. As
students we were expected to
locate the home communities of
aboriginal patients on the vast map
that covered the wall in OPD. Then
he would outline the health services
available there for us to incorporate
into our care plan.
When I was lucky enough to travel with him to
Inuit settlements I learned the importance of
time spent imparting skills to nurse
practitioners, the value of having my
own list of patient follow-ups, and the
art of remedying unsafe practices.
Even in fifty below temperatures
in Repulse Bay after a seemingly
endless roster of paediatric patients,
a daily community walkabout was de
rigueur. Charlie would talk to people
on the road, check the shelves in
the HBC store, visit local artists, and
drop in on old friends.
Charlie was one of the progenitors
of community medicine. Long
before there was such a specialty,
he stimulated us to look beyond clinical care
into issues such as twin mortality in the Arctic,
gas sniffing and the high rates of meningitis and
bronchiolitis in the North. He supported our first
efforts to engage the aboriginal community in
health issues at the 1st Churchill Health Conference
and assisted us in organising the Native
Approaches to Health Conference at the Health
Sciences Centre.
Charlie was a collector of arcane information
about medicine, people, and the North, and a
great raconteur managing to link it all together in
engaging life lessons. He is greatly missed.
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
the caribou heard
Dr. David Grewar
4 July 1921 - 30 April 2015
A
t the age of 85, fifty-two years after his
first visit north to Rankin Inlet Dr. David
Grewar retired. Not surprisingly he was still
putting in full days at his clinic at St. Boniface
Hospital as well as making two flights a month to
Northern Manitoba.
Grewar's first visit was under the proverbial
"baptism of fire". There was a blizzard, the
phone lines were dead, and he was treating a
young boy and needed advice from a specialist
ASAP. Grewar had to be taken by dogsled
through the blizzard a half mile to the Priest's
house. The clergy in those days were the only
people with two way radios and were the only
means of getting a message out when the
phones went down.
Throughout the years the child Dr. Grewar
treated during that first trip always stopped by
with his family to see Dr. Grewer whenever
he was in Rankin. This happened in many
communities over the years. Grewar felt that
being remembered by the children he treated
was the most gratifying part of his job. He in turn
had a fantastic memory for all the patients he
had had during the five decades he travelled to
the north.
When Grewar first came to Winnipeg from
Scotland in 1952 he expected to be here only
a few months. He was impressed with the
genuine friendliness of the people, intrigued with
the quality of medicine and the groundbreaking
work of Drs. Bruce Chown and Harry Medovy
on Rh factor. So much so that six months after
arriving in Winnpeg his wife, Dr. Joyce Grewar
(psychiatrist) and first child came over and the
family settled here.
You can well imagine a career fueled by passion
spanning 52 years would have influenced and
touched thousands of people. Over those years
he became a significant mentor to many medical
students and supported and encouraged many
to work in First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Health.
He, along with Drs. Hildes, Ferguson, and others
involved in circumpolar health in those early
years, were a part of the the driving force in the
creation of the NMU.
In recognition of his devotion to northern health
care he was named a recipient of the Order of
Manitoba in 2010.
The children of Manitoba (both north and south)
and Nunavut were well served by Dr. Grewar's
skill, dedication, passion, compassion, and hope.
Both Dr. Ferguson and Dr. Grewar were the
embodiment of the NMU's mission, before we
had a Mission Statement, that is to honour
relationships, inspire minds, and contribute to the
health and well-being of First Nations, Metis, and
Inuit children, families, and communities.
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 7
the caribou heard
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
Dr. Thomas (Ted) Edward Cuddy
10 June 1930 - 4 November 2014
U
nder "The legend that is Joe" (Dr. Joe
Doupe) and the Department of Physiology,
Dr. Hildes and Dr. Cuddy became colleagues
and friends. The Department in the 1950's was
a powerhouse of change under Dr. Doupe and
Cuddy couldn't have been at the U of M doing
his internship at a more exciting and unique
time. Dr. HIldes was then Director of the Arctic
Medical Research Unit and Dr. Cuddy was
Chief Resident at Winnipeg General Hospital.
In 1956 Cuddy received the Research Prize in
Physiology for work performed with Doupe and
also received the Chown Medal in Medicine,
representing the highest standing in internal
medicine.
Cuddy specailised in Cardiology and held a
number of positions throughout his career,
Professor of Medicine and Head of the
Section of Cardiology at the U of M, Head of
Cardiology at HSC (1962 - 1984), Director of
Electrocardiography Department for 34 years
and at the Holter Laboratory for 24 years. In
2000 he became Professor Emeritus and Senior
Scholar at the U of M.
As a medical student he took a summer job
at the Mantioba Follow Up Study giving him
the opporltunity to perfect his skills doing
electrocardiograms (in the old days it was an
art). The Study is the world's largest and longest
running investigation of cardiovascular disease. In 1948 the Study, housed at the U of M and
initiated by Dr. Frank Mathewson, began tracking
the health of 3,983 WWII Veteran Canadian
fighter pilots under. Around 350 survive today
and the study will continue as long as there are
original participants. That summer job led to a
life-long passion and in 1985 when the Study
was struggling and when Dr. Mathewson was
looking to retire, Cuddy stepped up, took over,
and kept it going. He held the unique postion of
2nd Director of the Study for 3 decades.
In addition he was the NMU's cardiology
consultant from the early 1970's until the late
1980's. At the end of his travelling days with
us he continued to support our NMU doctors
Page 8
through telephone calls and referrals. Like many who travelled with the NMU in the
early days and continued to do so for years, the
ties with the north and collegues never fade. He kept in touch with colleagues and friends
and always attended our annual Consultant's
Reception and the 30th and 40th Anniversary
Events. the
caribou heard
The Caribou Heard is published by the J. A. Hildes
Northern Medical Unit, Section of First Nations, Métis,
and Inuit Health of the Department of Community
Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
Submissions can be made to Julie Creasey at T162770 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg MB, R3E 0W3,
[email protected]
Phone: 204-789-3510
Fax: 204-774-8919
Opinions expressed on these pages may or may not
be the opinions of the Editors.
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2015, September
the caribou heard
Volume 13, No. 1
Dr. Ethan Rubenstein
1941 - 29 January 2015
W
hen Dr. Rubinstein came to Winnipeg in
2004 to head the Section of Infectious
Disease, Department of Internal Medicine,
Dr. Bruce Martin (then Director of the NMU)
enthusiastically recruited him as a consultant to
the NMU. It was a relationship that lasted 10
years until Rubinstein's last trip with us in May
2014.
Rubinstein was born in British Palestine in
1941, he received his medical degree from the
University of Basel in Switzerland in 1968 and
his specialist degree in internal medicine from
NYU. He later received a law degree from Tel
Aviv University in 1985 after which he moved to
Canada.
As well as seeing patients in the north his focus
on Indigenous research included:
•
evaluation of H1N1 immunisation of
aboriginal populations;
•
MRSA in norhern communities;
Photo Credit: John Wood for the Naional Post
•
etiology of diarrheal diseases in the north in
remote aboriginal commuities
He was also doing research treatments for
anthrax and MRSA (methicillin-resistant
staphylococcus aureus).
A gentle thoughtful man, a person would never
have know that viruses were not the only thing
Dr. Rubenstein had tracked throughout his life.
Thirty years ago he was (as a former Israeli
Paratrooper) recruited to be a part of a team to
capture and bring back to Israel for trial one of
the most despised and notorious people of the
Nazi Regime, Joseph Mengele. (See more at:
http://www.cjnews.com/news/canadian-was-partplan-capture-mengele#sthash.RpMNDrNt.dpuf)
The NMU and northern communities were
fortunate to have a person such as Dr.
Rubinstein on our team.
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 9
the caribou heard
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
Pauline Wood Steiman
31 July 1941 - 28 April 2015
S
ince the 1970's everyone who has worked in
the Island Lake communities or elsewhere
in northern Manitoba have either worked with,
knew of, and were inspired by Steiman.
Steiman, hailing from St. Theresa Point,
attended Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing
in 1974, studied as a surgical nurse at St.
Boniface General Hospital, Red River College in
1986, the University of Manitoba in 1993 (BA),
and the University of Saskatchewan (Health
Care Administration). She was a family practice
nurse with the U of M's Residency Program
in conjunction with the NMU, a health advisor
and rehab specialist in Winnipeg, Northern
Manitoba, Island Lake First Nation, and the
Canadian Paraplegic Assocation. She taught at
the Faculty of Medicine in the field of Aboriginal
Health And she was also a founding member
of the Board of the Manitoba Indian Nurses
Association which later became the Aboriginal
Nurses Association of Canada.
She was a driving force behind many programs
developed in the Island Lake area including:
Children’s Diabetes Camp and The Minoahyawin
Program in Mental Health with the Human
Resource Workers in Island Lake.
Pauline Wood Steiman left behind a strong
legacy of improving Aboriginal health and blazed
a trail for many to follow. Her loss was felt by
many within her home community and beyond.
The 16th International
Congress in
Finland held at the
beginning of June
was attended by:
Monica Achtemichuk,
Bonnie Tinker, Laura
Sutherland, Dr. Lindsay Duval, Scott
Sutherland, Kirsten Bourque. Not
in photo: Dr. Anne Durcan, Dr. Pam
Orr, and Janice Linton.
Poster Presentations presented by
Monica, Bonnie, and Kirsten were
well received.
Page 10
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
the caribou heard
NMU Reflections
Retired physician, Dr. Jeff Ivey
and gradually retiring, Dr. Clarke
Wilkie (psychiatrists) have been
with the NMU since the 1970's.
Both have provided us with some of
their stories and thoughts on their
relationship with the NMU. We are
grateful for these contributions to
the newsletter as well as to the
archival history of the Unit. As
two of the many who blazed the trail
for the NMU, their work throughout
the decades brought us to where we
are today and is the foundation we
continue to build upon.
By Dr. Jeff Ivey
N
ovember 2014, my last trip to Churchill.
Wow!! Difficult to believe it has been 42
years since my first trip to Churchill. My mind
goes tumbling back over the years—years that
seem not all that long ago
Boarding the old DC3 (a flying museum even at
that time) in June 1972 for my six week elective
as a clinical clerk with the Northern Medical Unit,
getting my first taste of the north as a soon to be
fledgling doctor was pure excitement.
The experiences I had of working at the old
military hospital, of life at Fort Churchill (which
was still an active Canadian and American Air
Force Base), of going on medical inspections of
foreign ships arriving in port from halfway around
the world, of evening excursions into town to visit
the old Churchill Hotel to partake of it’s distinct
ambience were all part of living in a different
historical era and a different era for northern
medicine.
The famous Dr. Jack Hildes was a favoured
mentor of mine and a character I shall never
forget. Referred to as “Flyin Jack” by some,
he had an innovative and independent nature
typical of men who were prominent leaders in
the North. With his wry sense of humour—many
of his stories could be told but only in suitable
environs.
The first time you stay up all night sitting on the
glacier smoothed granite coast of Hudson’s Bay,
on any June 21st, to watch the sun not set is an
experience never to be forgotten. It feels like
you are sitting on the top of the globe as the sun
barely dips below the horizon as it circles around
the coastline. The beauty is breathtaking.
Other memories (and feelings from that first trip:
June 16th, two feet of wet snow in Churchill with
eighty degrees F. in Winnipeg (envy); June 20th,
now 80 degrees F. in Churchill (great pleasure);
June 22nd, more mosquitoes per cubic foot of air
space than I’ve ever seen in my life! This makes
outdoor enjoyment a conflicted experience at
best—a reality of the north sets in.
As a recruitment strategy for the NMU medical
student electives to Churchill obviously worked,
at least it did in my case. Since graduating with
an F.R.C.P. in psychiatry in 1979 I have been the
ongoing psychiatric consultant to Churchill for
the ensuing 35 years, courtesy of the J.A. Hildes
Northern Medical Unit. I have stayed the course
through many changes in Churchill including
mastering the recent electronic medical records
system.
But now has come the time for me to move on.
The collegiality and camaraderie among the
physicians as we provided medical care to the
north in those fledging years are memories I
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 11
the caribou heard
will cherish. And I hope the good natured spirit,
that was so evident and necessary for survival
in those old days, will still live on in our younger
colleagues who take the torch to venture north in
the future.
Thirty-five years is a long time and it was filled
with many good times and much good work
in the name of helping the mentally ill and
otherwise troubled people that came to me from
Churchill and beyond. I hope you will forgive
me a little melancholia in this writing as a large
page of my life has turned for me. If my work in
Churchill had not been so meaningful and such
an important part of my being a doctor it would
be a lot easier to say goodbye to it all. I think
history is never as interesting for those who hear
about it, as it was for those who lived through it,
so I will spare you any more reminisces of the
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
good old days.
I will close with a paraphrase from an old EastIndian sage, Rabindranath Tagore. It is quite
autobiographical for me, (I wish I wrote it myself)
and may be helpful to you.
“In my youth, I slept and dreamt that life
was pleasure.
I awoke and saw that life was service.
I acted, and behold, service was
pleasure.”
I wish the J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit,
all the staff, and the management team great
things. Thanks for your support in letting me
have the honour of serving in Churchill all these
past years. It will always be a treasured part of
my life.
By Dr. Clarke Wilkie
C
hurchill 1977, my intern year and my first trip
with the NMU's Dr. John Crispin. Among
other highlights that inaugural trip was a dinner
hosted by two young GP’s – Drs. Sharon Cohen
and Brian Postl.
A year later after more trips with Dr. Crispin to
Hodgson and Norway House I agreed to start
work as a GP/Anesthetist on 1 January 1979 in
Norway House.
Norway House was a busy and exciting time.
I recall accompanying medivacs to Winnipeg
in a Cessna 185 on floats, patients coming to
appointments in yawls and snow machines,
challenging deliveries and emergency cases.
I enjoyed travelling to make rounds in Pinaow
Wachi Nursing Home in my canoe. I had done
additional training in anesthesia and recall
several times quickly dressing, running along
the boardwalk, up the stairs and across the
parking lot where long time night engineer, Rudy
Bouvier, would have the hospital back door held
open and on to the ER or delivery room to do
intubations.
The work was exciting and so was the
recreation. Before becoming Dean, Dr. John
Page 12
Wade did a two week general medical locum in
Norway House and along with his wife, Marilyn
and a group of docs we had an “eventful” and
memorable visit to the petroglyphs on Paimusk
Creek followed by lake trout fishing on Molson
Lake.
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
During our two years there I had the opportunity
to work with many wonderful people as patients,
co-workers and colleagues.
We arrived with a two-year-old son and left with
another son, delivered by Dr. Sharon Macdonald
and a daughter delivered by Dr. Peter Allen.
Our almost 10 lb son developed a pneumothorax
shortly after birth and Carol and I are eternally
grateful to Dr. Surendra Patel who aspirated the
pneumo and Sharon who flew with Joel on the
medivac to Winnipeg. The experience certainly
helped me appreciate the challenges people
living in remote communities face.
A number of medical students who went on
to work for the NMU later in their careers did
rotations in Norway House during that time,
including Lisa Lugtig, Lindsay Duval, Pam Orr,
and Linda Poffenroth.
After our 2 years in Norway House I spent 12
and half years in Dauphin as a family physician.
I did not work with the NMU but did intinerent
work for the then Medical Services Branch to do
fly-in clinics in the North Zone.
Looking back on my Dauphin years, it was a
great opportunity and challenge, but combined
with a busy office and anesthesia, ICU,
obstetrical and “ordinary” ER call in Dauphin, the
work took a toll.
the caribou heard
At the age of 40, I enrolled in the psychiatry
residency program at the U of M. During the
final year of my residency, with the support of
then NMU Director, Dr. Sharon Macdonald,
long time NMU psychiatrist Dr. Don Rodgers,
psychiatry Program Director Dr. Samia Barakat,
and MATC Director, Dr. Keith Hildahl, I was able
to arrange a unique elective. I travelled with the
NMU to Norway House three days monthly and
worked with then U of M social worker and longtime friend, Grant Queskekapow.
I arranged tours of a variety of agencies
including Native Clan, the North End Women’s
Transition Centre, Ma Mawi Wi Chi ltata, St
Norbert Foundation, Sagkeeng Treatment
Centres, Selkirk Healing Centre, Pritchard
House, Willard Monson House, and spent a
week at Shawenequanape Kipichewan learning
from elders and attending my first sweat lodge.
I also was fortunate to accompany Dr. Keith
Hildahl to Arviat, Baker Lake, and Rankin Inlet
(where Family Physicians, Anne Durcan and
Alec Macaulay (whom I would later bunk with
at the Seaman’s Hotel in Nuuk, Greenland at a
Circumpolar Health Conference) were working.
After finishing psychiatry training in 1997, I
began work at Selkirk Mental Health Centre
primarily with First Nation and Inuit patients. I
was fortunate to have an opportunity to begin
doing itinerant work with the NMU in Nunavut.
Keith and I travelled together — he was
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 13
the caribou heard
scheduled to go to Baker Lake and I to Rankin
Inlet. I forget the details but Keith preferred to
stay in Rankin Inlet and I travelled to Baker Lake
on his ticket and have been going there ever
since.
When Rankin Inlet required an increase in
visits, I began making two and then four trips
there annually. When Dr. Dave Hallat stopped
travelling to Sanikiluaq, Coral Harbour, and
Repulse Bay, Keith picked up Repulse Bay and I
began trips to Coral and Sani.
Over the years I started stretching myself again
and was making as many as 12 trips to Nunavut
in a year, I had been attempting to establish
itinerant psychiatric services in Cross Lake
through the NMU, and had expanded services
a SMHC at the request of Dr. Sandy McDonald
to also include inpatients from the Qikiqtaaluk
Region. We soon had as many as 15 patients at
a time from Nunavut at SMHC.
It seems fitting that after having begun my career
at the NMU it is where I am ending it. Since I
retired from SMHC in 2013 I have also been
slowly winding down the number of communities
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
I visit. I plan though for the next year or two to
continue making trips to two communities.
Many of the residents whom I enjoyed
teaching have gone on to work with the NMU
including Drs. Ryan Scott in Chesterfield
Inlet, Bill Miller in Coral Harbour and Whale
Cove, Katharine Charlton in Sanikiluaq, Mike
Harrington in Arviat, Maria Astorga in Arviat,
and Diana Sam is going to Rankin Inlet. I am
gradually looking for others to take over the
communities to which I provide services.
Even if students and residents do not go on to
working in the north the opportunity the NMU
provides is very valuable. The experience
results in better physicians. Physicians
who are much more able to make informed
decisions when assessing patients from these
communities at hospitals in Winnipeg.
I have enjoyed the work immensely and have
come to treasure the relationship with the
NMU. The support of my colleagues and the
staff (in particular Lori Thiessen) has been
tremendous. I am grateful for this wonderful
opportunity which has played a significant role
in my medical career.
If you have been flying to St. Theresa Point or Wasagamack anytime in the last 15 years you will
recognise this face. Jennifer Fortier, a pilot with Perimeter Airlines has left to pursue a career with
Transport Canada. Lots of tears were shed at a party (shared with everyone in the airport) the staff
in St. Theresa Point held in her honour. She may not be an employee of the NMU but she and the
other pilots are integral to the services we provide.
Page 14
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
the caribou heard
With respect, Dr. Clarke Wilkie submitted this photo a few years ago and I was intrigued by its origins.
Recently I asked Dr. Wilkie about it and he kindly took the time to write this for me. For those who are
not aware of these sites in Nunavut I thought I would share this bit of culture.
Julie Creasey.
The photo was taken on a canoe trip on the Quoich River in Nunavut and is typical of many Inuit grave sites
scattered throughout the Arctic. When hiking it is not unusual to spot tent rings, kayak stands, old food caches,
fox traps, and sometimes grave sites. At some there are personal belongings of the deceased such as needles,
kettles, old guns, and even a boat felt to help in the after life. Over time, weather and animals disturb the graves
and sometimes the only visible human remains is a skull. I have had the good fortune to make a number of canoe trips in Nunavut as well as some camping trips with
Inuit families. There is a special sense of awe and reverence and indeed respect for those that have come before
recognising their resilience in living in a very challenging environment. It is difficult to describe the feeling one
encounters coming across a site as in the picture. There is a sudden silence and sense of connection with the past
as those present experience their inner thoughts. Although there have been reckless and illegal removal of artifacts and disturbing of graves in the past, in my
experience the historical sites have been treated with great respect. One is always somewhat uneasy about taking
photos, however they allow sharing the experience with those, including local elders, unable to travel to the
remote locations.
Dr. Clarke Wilkie
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 15
the caribou heard
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
Thank You Dr. Roos
By Joanne L. McLean, Supervisor, Medical
Records, Norway House
I
was here when Dr. Roos and his wife, Maria
arrived in Norway House. When the Chief and
Council and Community Council learned the Roos'
were going to be staying for a long term a huge
celebration was held to honour and welcome them
and to introduce them to the community. The
celebration included a feast, local entertainment,
and square dancing.
Thus upon their leaving the ceremony was
repeated, this time to honour Dr. Roos and Maria
for their contribution, dedication, and committment
to the community. For the past 11 years Dr. Roos
has been an exceptional physician who had the
heart of all of his patients, staff, and community. I
was privileged to work with him.
He had compassion, patience, and stayed on
top of his work. Throughout the years his main
goal was to treat everyone fairly and looked after
despite being the sole physician in the community
during his first couple of years. He took the extra
load to make sure all patients were seen in the
clinic.
Overall he went above and beyond to meet
the expectations of his patients and fuffill his role
as a caring physician.
He will be greatly missed. We wish Dr. Roos and
Maria all the best and send to them our blessings.
By Renata Clark, Supervisor, Administrative
Services on behalf of the Staff of Norway House
Hospital
O
n the 18th of March the Norway House
Hospital and Clinic in conjunction with
Norway House Cree Nation and the University of
Manitoba’s, Northern Medical Unit held a Farewell
Dinner in honour of Dr. Paul Roos.
Such great teamwork from all Norway House
employees from all departments made the
celebration of Dr. Roos' contribution to our
community a huge success.
Over 150 attendees packed the Kinosao Sipi
Multiplex Auditorium, including our medical team
Dr. Herman Chow, Dr. Adrienne Morrow, Dr.
Malcolm McLeod, Dr. Syed Arfeen, Dr. Judy Kwan,
Dr. Ian Whetter, Soujanya Chavali PA, Pushpika
Page 16
Karunatilake PA, Corey McFarlane M3, and Carla
Gemeinhardt R2.
Dr. Roos and his wife, Maria arrived in Norway
House in late September 2005. At that time
Norway House had been having difficulty in longterm retention of physicians.
Dr. Roos set a precedent of exceptional healthcare
delivery expected in the community. During his
tenure here he exemplified the values of honesty,
honourable conduct, morality, virtue, unselfishness,
ethical ideals, dedication to serving others, and
leadership. His compelling drive to do well and
to advance his medical colleagues demonstrated
his highest standards of professionalism. We
also offer our gratitude and appreciation to Mrs.
Maria Roos. Her love and support for her husband
and the community has contributed to Dr Roos’
success.
Dr. Roos will be greatly missed by many. His
unique means of delivery will remain with
everyone. Whether it be a phone call to the
Pharmacy to ensure patient's scripts were properly
filled, following up with phone calls to patients
personally, promoting exercise, trying to see
patients while wearing other employee's glasses,
and his infamous way of saying: “You’re too fat!”
Now that your work is finished
We say good bye with sad yet grateful hearts.
We want to thank you for your dedication,
and being there from the very start.
Words cannot convey our gratitude
for your tremendous contribution.
Thank you Dr. Roos
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
the caribou heard
Photo Ops
For you non-CBC listeners, the NMU's, Ava Halpin, diabtic foot nurse standing with CBC"s, Sook-Yin Lee. Sook-Yin is the
host of DNTO (Definitely Not the Opera) and is one funny and thought-provoking gal. DNTO was in Pukatawagan during
the week of February 9th. The show aired on the 21st of February 2015: DNTOnorth: Stories from Pukatawagan. If you
missed the episode you can listen to it at: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/dnto/dntonorth-stories-from-pukatawagan-1.2950352
L-R. Dialysis Nurses, Delta Holte and Andrew Din, Nancy
Mentuck (housekeeping), Alex Miller (Dialysis Nurse and
Acting Nurse Supervisor), and Melanie Mason (Dialysis
Nurse).
Home from Trinity College, Dublin for Christmas Break
our former Hospital Co-ordinator, Mo Kadhim
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 17
the caribou heard
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
Postcard Sook-Yin wrote out to Ava.
Nurse Roberta Brotherston and St. Theresa Point Resident, Rose Rae discuss nutrition. Imitation food demonstrates portion
size and healthy choices.
M
aking healthy food choices can seem
daunting for people who do not have
diabetes; but for those recently diagosed
learning what to eat and how much to eat can be
overwhelming.
As we know, well-controlled blood glucose
is important to reduce the risk of developing
diabetes complications such as heart disease,
Page 18
stroke, kidney and eye disease, nerve damage,
and more.
FNIHB Nurse, Roberta Brotherston, a Certified
Diabetic Nurse Educator brings a lot enthusiasm
to her work in sharing with residents the foods
that are important to eat, foods to be avoided,
and portion size. Roberta has been going to St.
Theresa Point for a over a year now
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
the caribou heard
Library Services to the Kivalliq Region &
Sanikiluaq
Submitted by: Janice Linton
Aboriginal Health Librarian and Liaison Librarian for Community Health Sciences
Don’t forget that library services
are available all year round for
health care providers working
in the Kivalliq communities and
Sanikiluaq.
Roache C, Beck L, Sheehy T, Gittelsohn J, et
al. Healthy Foods North improves diet among
Inuit and Inuvialuit women of childbearing age
in Arctic Canada. Journal of Human Nutrition
and Dietetics 2014;27(SUPPL2):175-185.
New books shipped to Kivalliq
Health Centres and Medical
Rehabilitation Services in Rankin
Inlet. Books are being shipped in
June and in late summer, as they
are published.
3. Cheung J, Goodman KJ, Girgis S, Bailey
R, Morse J, Fedorak RN, et al. Disease
manifestations of Helicobacter pylori infection
in Arctic Canada: Using epidemiology to
address community concerns. BMJ Open
2014;4(1).
Library & Information Services
Include:
4. Findlay L, Kohen D, Miller A. Developmental
milestones among aboriginal children in
Canada. Paediatrics and Child Health
(Canada) 2014;19(5):241-246.
Literature Searches: To find the
information you need for patient
care, program development and
evaluation, continuing education
and professional development.
Document Delivery: Sending
you journal articles, reports,
and information wherever and
whenever you need it.
Contact: Janice Linton,
Aboriginal Health Librarian
[email protected]
5. Ford JD, Willox AC, Chatwood S, Furgal C,
Harper S, Mauro I, et al. Adapting to the effects
of climate change on Inuit health. Am J Public
Health 2014;104(SUPPL. 3):e9-e17.
6. Freeman T, Jolley G, Baum F, Lawless A,
Javanparast S, Labonté R. Community
assessment workshops: A group method for
gathering client experiences of health services.
Health and Social Care in the Community
2014;22(1):47-56.
http://libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca/
aboriginalhealth
7. Kaplan A. Canadian guidelines for acute
bacterial rhinosinusitis. Canadian Family
Physician 2014;60(3):227-234+e149e156.
A selection of new articles
relevant to patient care in
Canada and Nunavut
8. Magee LA, Pels A, Helewa M, Rey E, Von
Dadelszen P. Diagnosis, evaluation, and
management of the hypertensive disorders
of pregnancy. Pregnancy Hypertension
2014;4(2):105-145.
1. Athwal L, Marchuk B, LaforêtFliesser Y, Castanza J, Davis
L, Lasalle M. Adaptation of
a Best Practice Guideline to
Strengthen Client-Centered
Care in Public Health.
Public Health Nursing
2014;31(2):134-143.
2. Bains A, Pakseresht M,
9. McIsaac KE, Lou W, Sellen D, Young TK.
Exclusive breastfeeding among Canadian
Inuit: Results from the Nunavut Inuit Child
Health Survey. Journal of Human Lactation
2014;30(2):229-241.
10.Pakseresht M, Lang R, Rittmueller S, Roache
C, Sheehy T, Batal M, et al. Food expenditure
patterns in the Canadian Arctic show cause
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Page 19
the caribou heard
for concern for obesity and chronic disease.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition
and Physical Activity 2014;11(1).
11. Statham S, Ford J, Berrang-Ford L, Lardeau
M-, Gough W, Siewierski R. Anomalous
climatic conditions during winter 2010-2011
and vulnerability of the traditional Inuit food
system in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Polar Rec 2014.
12.Valery PC, Moore SP, Meiklejohn J, Bray F.
International variations in childhood cancer in
indigenous populations: A systematic review.
The Lancet Oncology 2014;15(2):e90-103.
2015, September
Volume 13, No. 1
Advanced Trauma Life Support®
Course for Doctors
This Course fills up
Fast - Register Early
The Advanced Trauma
Life Support® Course is
publshed by the American
College of Surgeons and
provides a framework for the
management of the injured patient. It is intended to
allow the single doctor in a rural hospital to effectively
assess and manage multiple trauma.
The Course teaches a systematic approach for the
effective assessment and resuscitation of the severely
traumatised patient. The 2 day course consists of:
Send us Your
Announcements,
Photos, and Stories
Please send us your announcements:
accomplishments, births, marriages,
engagements, and community events
Photos of staff (administrative and health
care providers) for the newsletter would be
greatly appreciated as well as photos of the
communities you work.
Also, if you have a story or experience you
would like to share in the Newsletter please
send it in.
When you submit a photo it is with the
understanding it might be put in the
newsletter and we do not require written
permission to use it. If we would like to use
it for promotional materials (eg: brochures)
a photo release form must be signed.
Photos of patients in a medical context and
children are not used without the subject/
guardian(s) written permission.
Julie Creasey:
Page 20
[email protected]
• pre-course test
• didactic and interactive core content
lectures
• practical skill stations
• surgical skill station
• triage scenarios
• initial assessment and management skill
station
• post-course test
Upon completion of the course physicians should feel
confident in the concepts and principles of primary
and secondary assessment, establishing management
priorities, initiating resuscitative measures and
demonstrating the practical skills used in the initial
assessment and management of patients with multiple
injuries.
A verification card is provided upon successful
completion of the course and is valid for 4 years from
the date of issue. a student refresher course must then
be taken to maintain ATLS® provider status.
The next advanced Trauma Life Support® Provider/
Refresher Courses will be held:
2015
- 14 to 15 November
- 15 to 16 November
Please contact ATLS Department of Surgery:
AE402 - 840 Sherbrook Street
Winnipeg MB R3A 1S1
Phone: 787-2394
Fax: 787-4618
Email: [email protected]
http://manitobacpd.com/teams/atls-society-ofmanitoba-inc
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine
Section of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication