Encompass Healthcare

04/13/2026

Please note that Katrina will be away April 14th-24th. Foot care will remain open for regular hours. Call (807) 622-5607 to book an appointment!

04/02/2026

We will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. We hope you enjoy some extra time with your loved ones!

In the meantime, you can still book appointments via encompasshealthcare.ca or voicemail at 807-622-5607

03/22/2026

Ontario behind the 8-ball again.

An April 1 deadline is looming for the province to set up funding for all nurse practitioners in Ontario. Pauline Chan explains, some have been working on a ...

03/10/2026

We are looking to expand our team with the addition of a Medical Secretary to help continue the goal of meeting individual needs on a personal level.

Responsibilities:
- welcoming patients
- managing telephone calls and inquiries, faxing, scanning
- scheduling appointments, taking payments
- consulting with Nurse Practitioners & other team members
- Inputting data into an electronic medical record
- Conduct light housekeeping tasks to maintain the clinic
- Other tasks as assigned/requested

Qualifications:
- Qualified to work in Canada
- Proficiency with the English language (easily understandable and able to understand)
- Friendly and well-organized
- Appreciates and maintains cleanliness
- Medical background and/or proficiency with medical terminology
- Familiarity with receiving payments and providing receipts
- Proficiency with electronic medical records. Accuro and JaneApp experience is helpful

Salary: $20-$30/hour dependent on experience

If this sounds like you, send your resume and cover letter to katrina.hill@encompasshealthcare.ca!

03/04/2026

Due to inclement weather and poor road conditions north of the city, Katrina is unable to make it to the clinic today. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause!

02/19/2026

So nice to be home & to see my family!

At home recovery began with some life adjustments: new medication, fatigue, sleep, pain management, appointments & figuring out how to get back to my second home at the clinic!

Lifestyle changes included exchanging some supplements for medications due to interactions. Another change was mood fluctuations, accepting them as they came versus fighting them.

One wise patient/friend told me to get out and walk. Solid advice to get the body moving, improving breathing, pain and outlook. I followed his advice and I’m glad I did!

One of the largest battles has been managing rib pain. I recall pre-op discussions about pain, typically more severe in younger persons. I have experienced pain post operatively in the past, but not on this level. It is getting better using various paramedical treatments. Second battle was fear of “testing the heart” even though my stress test was clear. Still working on this one, but I am feeling well and slowly but surely getting back to “normal”!

If you have any questions about my heart story, please send me a DM and I’ll do my best to answer!

02/17/2026

I honestly enjoyed the preamble of bypass day. Watching staff perform their roles, having IV lines and arterial lines placed, people everywhere. It reminded me of my tenure as an ICU nurse, which I loved, chaos and all! I recall the pre-oxygenation and then waking up in the ICU (standard protocol for cardiac surgery) with tubes everywhere and PAIN!

The cycle began; pain, repositioning, pain meds, spouse rubbing shin, ankle and foot, vomiting, sleeping. Later that evening, the nurse and my spouse helped me stand up. I have even more respect now for all of the organization it requires with tubes, lines, etc. to stand a patient. Naturally I vomited, but somehow, my oral medications remained in my stomach!

The next morning, all of the tubes were removed except for oxygen. I was transferred to the cardiac floor to be monitored for the next few days. It was exciting to shower on day 3! I was discharged from the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre on day 5.

Learn about my recovery experience in part 6 of my heart story!

02/12/2026

The minimally invasive bypass was scheduled for Monday due to a cancellation (normally the wait would have been a few days longer). I remained in hospital at the Thunder Bay Regional Sciences Centre until I was transferred to the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in Toronto by air ambulance on Saturday, accompanied by my spouse, a former colleague, and a flight paramedic.

My family; 3 adult children, our spouses, grandchild, mother and brother were as surprised as I, but, as always, supportive.

So, what’s a minimally invasive bypass? The surgery involves an incision between ribs, stretching the area to retrieve a mammary vessel (instead of a leg) and using it to bypass the artery that is compromised. The heart is not stopped to be placed on a machine and the sternum is not sawn open.

The anticipation was a very emotional time for me. As a clinician, I knew this was the best option. If I didn’t have the surgery, I would likely have a massive heart attack and die, as the blocked vessel is known as the “widow/widower maker.” Even though the surgery is minimally invasive, there was still a chance it could be converted to open heart or I could die. I was staring my mortality straight on. Still I had faith that whatever the outcome, it was going to be okay.

Learn about my bypass surgery experience in part 5 of my heart story!

02/10/2026

One week after my stress test, I attended the hospital for the angiogram. At this point, I assumed the test result would determine that I needed to have some stents placed just like my family members and then I would go on with life.

An angiogram is a sterile procedure whereby a camera is threaded through an artery in your wrist or groin to your heart. The vessels that feed your heart are then explored for narrowed or obstructed areas.

I found it interesting being a patient in the angiogram suite in comparison to my former role as an ICU staff nurse!

The interventional cardiologist noted the RCA vessel was clear but the LAD/left main had two narrowed areas and an area of calcification in between. He attempted to reduce the calcified area, which was the weirdest feeling in the world. Unfortunately, it wasn’t successful, therefore stents could not be placed.

The interventional cardiologist reviewed the events and photos with myself and my spouse. Due to the fact the main artery had two significant narrowed areas, he suggested transfer to Toronto for a minimally invasive bypass. My first thought was “PARDON???”

Learn about the bypass preparation in part 4 of my heart story!

02/05/2026

Following the ER visit and while awaiting the stress test, I did not tax my heart in any way, atypical of my exercise routine and the beautiful Fall weather.

A stress test is a procedure whereby there are cardiac wires attached to you, then connected to a monitor. A technician and a cardiologist are present in the room. As a patient, your role is to walk on a treadmill while the rate and rhythm of your heart are monitored as the speed and incline are increased through phases.

At the stress test, similar symptoms occurred: high blood pressure and heart rate with mild lightheadedness on phase 2. My blood pressure upon lying down was 255/115!!! After a short recovery period, I went back to work and waited for a date of an angiogram. Again, no real “heart attack” symptoms!

Learn about the angiogram in part 3 of my heart story!

02/03/2026

Last Fall, I had to close the clinic due to medical concerns. I thought I would circle back and tell the story for in hopes it helps others that may find themselves in a similar situation.

At the end of September, I had a really uncharacteristic “off, emotional day”. The next day, my heart rate was up and down without cause and my blood pressure was high. I had a constant sensation in the left side of my throat like I needed to swallow. So off to the ER I went with my spouse. I don’t visit the ER often, but my mother had a cardiac event at age 56 and had stents put in place. Her father had a couple of heart attacks and a triple bypass starting at age 57. Being 55 now myself and anticipating that the cardiac history was genetic, I have been extra cautious with my cardiac health.

The ER visit was uneventful; no heart attack, or heart rhythm changes, so a stress test was ordered. Learn about the stress test in part 2 of my heart story!

01/05/2026

At the end of January, we will say goodbye to Laura, a much beloved foot care nurse and colleague. As a team we will be working hard to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.

We are looking for a friendly, outgoing foot care nurse to help fill Laura’s shoes. If you or someone you know might be interested, the full job description is available on Indeed or applicants can submit their resume and cover letter via email to katrina.hill@encompasshealthcare.ca!

https://ca.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=a9a95ba74e39de41