This holiday season, we’re celebrating the dedicated healthcare professionals who provide life-changing care in our region. We’re proud to be part of a community that supports our healthcare workers as they go above and beyond every day. But to continue providing the highest level of care, they need more than just skills and passion—they need the right resources.

Growing up in a small town with limited access to therapy options, Lynda recognized a gap in her community’s resources with few, local providers to address mobility and rehabilitation needs. Inspired by her cousin, a physiotherapist, and driven by the desire to help, Lynda set her sights on a career in physiotherapy by the time she was in grade 10.

Lynda’s determination carried her from small-town roots to the University of Manitoba and eventually into a career that has spanned 32 years. Throughout her journey, she has embraced both the challenges and rewards of working in rural healthcare.

A big influence on Lynda’s career path was her grandmother, who suffered from severe arthritis, especially in her knees. During a visit, Lynda explained her plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Biomechanics. Her grandmother, deeply affected by her own struggles with limited mobility, offered simple yet profound advice: “Learn something more about the knee.”

This conversation stayed with Lynda. Her Master’s thesis focused on knee biomechanics, and much of her research has since been dedicated to improving understanding and treatment of knee and hip conditions. “I know that that contributing to the medical field in this area would have made my Grandma proud,” Lynda shared.

The Decision to Serve Rural Communities

Lynda has worked in urban centers, but her heart remained with rural communities. “I worked hard to create a rehab-oriented team in Eriksdale and Ashern,” she shares. “At this stage in my career, I feel that my experience allows me to offer so much to the residents of rural regions.”

Lynda’s work extends beyond treating injuries; she helps patients and their families navigate barriers to care, such as limited access to specialized equipment and services. “Rural healthcare allows for personal, client-centered care,” she says. “The connections we form with our patients make a world of difference.”

While rewarding, rural healthcare presents unique challenges. Facilities often lack specialized equipment or modern rehab spaces, limited accessibility, and patients having to travel to receive treatment. Staff get creative and work together to support their patients.

Recently, thanks to the generosity of the community, Eriksdale Hospital underwent a much-needed renovation, to transform a vacant space in the hospital to a space dedicated to therapy that is both functional and welcoming.

Prior to the renovation a small office space was shared by rehab staff, often times inpatient care was almost exclusively provided on the ward – limiting what therapists could do.

“Now, we have a beautiful space where we can see both inpatients and outpatients,” Lynda says. “It’s wheelchair and hospital bed accessible, and we’ve even incorporated areas to assess patients’ ability to safely perform tasks like cooking.”

These improvements wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of donors who understand the importance of investing in local healthcare.

With your help, we can ensure that rural hospitals have the resources they need to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

💌 This holiday season make a gift to support healthcare professionals like Lynda in providing care close to home. Together, we can bridge the gap and make a lasting impact on our communities. Donate today.