Three new doctors tell us what they think about working at KMHC

Wa’tewatohseróhetste’, sénha é:so ne tékeni iawén:re asé:’tsi nihá:ti wahontáhsawen tehotiio’tenhs tsi nón:we ne tsi tehsakotitsén:tha - More than a dozen new medical staff have joined the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre within the last year, many on a part-time basis. This does two things: It allows the centre to offer a wider range of services to the community and it gives the new staff members a working experience they love. We spoke with three, asking them all the same questions.

Dr. Lillian Lee is chief of surgery at Hôpital Anna-Laberge in Châteauguay. She now provides general surgery consultations at the KMHC, as well as minor surgery procedures and follow-ups for her cancer patients (primarily breast and colorectal oncology). McGill iakoterihwaienhstá:ne – She went to medical school at McGill and did her residency training at Université Laval and has a particular interest in minimally-invasive laparoscopic surgery.

WHAT DREW YOU TO KMHC?

Dr. Lee Working at Anna Laberge hospital, I already had many residents from Kahnawà:ke under my care. They are some of my favourite patients, and I love how family-oriented and kind they are. I wanted to be able to provide a more streamlined service directly on the reserve to optimize their care and access to a general surgeon. During medical school, I trained on a Navajo reservation in Chinle, Arizona, for several months – tohkáre niwenhní:take. I was so humbled to learn about the complexity of the issues that Native men and women have to face every day. I also had the opportunity to learn about the KMHC during a tour of the premises on my last elective in Indigenous health, and it just seemed like fate that I signed on later to work next door at Anna Laberge after residency... so I knew I had to come and join Kateri hospital as well!

Dr. Romina Pace is a general internist who also trained at McGill. Skátne ieio’tenhs ne Onkwehonwe’shón:’a tánon ieia’tahsnié:nenhs ónkha’k rotinonhwáktani – She has been providing clinical consultations and working alongside Indigenous communities in northern Québec to develop initiatives to improve health outcomes and delivery of care. Pace is now working on laying the foundation for a program of quality improvement and cultural safety initiatives at the MUHC to improve care for Indigenous patients.

Dr. Pace I was drawn to KMHC after learning of the need for General Internal Medicine (GIM) services in the community. Having had contact with community members at the MUHC, I was excited –tewa’ksterihá:ton – to help and provide care closer to home for patients.

Dr. Siwen Jin is a family physician – ietétsen’ts – specializing in pediatrics, and most of the patients she treats at KMHC are children. Another graduate of McGill, she completed her residency at Hôpital Anna-Laberge in Châteauguay and continues to work there. She spends the rest of her time helping at a refugee clinic in Montréal’s Parc-Extension neighbourhood.

Dr. Jin Having done my residency in Châteauguay, I had the pleasure of meeting members of the community during my training. I was most impressed by the blend of traditional medicine and western medicine, as well as the community spirit that is going strong! It is great to see three or more generations interacting regularly together.

WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED MOST ABOUT YOUR CONTACT WITH THE COMMUNITY HERE?

Dr. Lee I love how committed the community is to embrace their history and traditions and to heal from the generational trauma they have lived. I’m seeing a lot of my younger patients determined to improve the community as a whole and return to their roots individually... they are so beautiful and strong – teiohonkwehserí:io tánon tion’shátste – , and I’m honoured to be able to witness even a glimpse of their journey. I’ve also enjoyed being able to explore Kahnawà:ke’s local businesses when I’m here!

Dr. Pace The community is so welcoming. It has truly been a pleasure working here! Everyone I have met has been kind and caring.

WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU ABOUT KMHC?

Dr. Lee All the providers, the health-care workers, and the administrative staff here really seem to have the same vision to adapt and respond to the needs of the community. I adore their commitment to incorporating both contemporary and traditional medicine to offer holistic care directly in Kahnawà:ke.

Dr. Pace How the KMHC staff goes above and beyond to care for patients. The team is incredibly dedicated! Tetewatia’takehnhá:’tshera – Everyone is willing to help each other out and ensure that KMHC runs smoothly.

Dr. Jin Kahkhwákon – The food is amazing! The cafeteria at Kateri Memorial is the best I have tried in all the hospitals in Greater Montréal.