Posts Categorized: Patient Stories

Making health a priority, even during a pandemic

In the midst of social distancing and extra stress, it has been difficult for some people to manage existing or emerging health issues during the pandemic. Wally and Lorraine Hawryschuk, with the help of their family doctor and the Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network, have proven it’s possible to actually improve both your health and…

Edmonton Wellness Centre helps trans and gender diverse communities

One of the biggest challenges trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals face when it comes to health care is finding providers who are both welcoming and knowledgeable about their unique health needs. Edmonton’s Wellness Centre is working to fill that gap by delivering accessible services to individuals at every stage of their journey. Opened on…

Integrated Care: Adapting and Thriving

Paul and Denise Blakebrough are adaptable people. They began their married life in England, but decided to make their home in Canada in 1958. After two decades in Ontario, they moved to Calgary, and later to Thorsby, where they lived on an acreage for 17 years. It was their most recent move, to the town…

Integrated Care: It Takes a Team

The waiting room at Bonnie Doon Medical Clinic is standing room only this windy April morning. But the crowd gathered in this comfortable neighbourhood clinic isn’t here to renew prescriptions or have their blood pressure checked. They will be seeing the doctor, but in a totally new way. They’re here for Walking on Wednesdays (WOW),…

Happiness Basics: Invest in yourself

Sharon came to the Happiness Basics following success in other Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network programs. She had just been to an exercise workshop, and was looking into more classes, when Happiness Basics was mentioned. Happiness Basics was new at the time, as a program to teach individuals what happy people do differently, and she…

Health team provides full support for diabetic patient

When Jeff Symic discovered he had Type 2 diabetes, he also found out there was a team of health professionals to support him in his medical clinic. That concept of having all these services under one roof is known as a medical home, which helped Jeff take steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Jeff has been…

PCN workshop inspires patient to write a poem

Hendrik Albarda discovered what Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network has to offer after his family doctor referred him to a healthy aging nurse. He explains that his doctor, Dr. Sheela Duia, at Nova Medical Clinic thought that the PCN could help him with his aging. Mary Whale, the healthy aging nurse, visited Hendrik in his…

Workshop boosts brain health

Moving for Memory taught Carole and Archie Landals how important the relationship is between physical health and brain health. The eight-week group workshop, offered by Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network, focuses on physical activity and steps towards a healthier brain. Carole discovered the class through her family doctor, Dr. Tarini Siva, at the Summers Medical…

Clinic staff feel like a family

Mercy Odusote considers herself as part of the Good Samaritan Seniors’ Clinic family. Since seeing Dr. Bing Li as her family doctor for the last five years, she feels she can turn to any member of the clinic team for help. Mercy was referred to Dr. Li after having her second stroke and was rehabilitating…

Minimizing stress is key to a healthier life

At 97, Henry Schroder isn’t worried about his health. He still lives at home, shovels his own driveway and builds his own airplanes. Henry still remembers growing up during the Russia Revolution and can outline specific details of his childhood and his time in the Canadian Air Force during World War II. He was married…