“The We Are Here Podcast” offers a powerful and authentic look inside the allied healthcare landscape of Newfoundland and Labrador. Captured at the landmark 2025 AAHP Biennial General Meeting, celebrating 50 years of the association’s vital work, this podcast series features in-depth conversations with 20 allied health professionals. These individuals, representing a wide spectrum of disciplines including physiotherapy, social work, speech-language pathology, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, audiology, occupational therapy, psychology, and hyperbaric technology, provide firsthand accounts of their crucial roles within the healthcare system.

The podcast vividly illustrates the diversity and breadth of allied health professions, showcasing how these professionals are essential partners alongside doctors and nurses. They work across the entire lifespan, addressing a multitude of patient needs from infancy to senior care. Whether it’s improving mobility with physiotherapy, providing mental health support with psychology and social work, aiding communication with speech-language pathology, or delivering critical care with respiratory therapy and medical flight specialists, allied health professionals are indispensable to comprehensive patient care.

 

Throughout the interviews, several key themes emerge. A prominent concern is the challenges facing the healthcare system, including significant staffing shortages, leading to long wait times and impacting access to timely care, particularly in rural areas. Professionals also highlight the increasing complexity of patient needs, requiring greater expertise and collaborative efforts. Despite these challenges, the podcast resonates with a strong sense of optimism and determination.

 

The guests emphasize numerous opportunities for improving healthcare. Increased collaboration among different disciplines, allowing allied health professionals to practice to their full scope, and actively involving frontline workers in decision-making are seen as critical steps forward. The podcast underscores the importance of human connection in healthcare and the immense rewards that come from helping people overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Many guests share touching stories that exemplify the profound impact of their work on patients’ lives.

 

Advocacy is a recurring theme, with many professionals calling for better resources, greater recognition, and increased support for allied health. There is a strong desire for leaders and policymakers to listen to the voices of frontline workers, who possess invaluable insights into the system’s needs. The podcast also touches on the evolving role of technology in healthcare, particularly in enabling remote access and expanding services into community settings.

 

“The We Are Here Podcast” serves as a powerful platform for raising awareness about the vital contributions of allied health professionals, highlighting the challenges they face, and showcasing their unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

 

Allison Hussey – Physiotherapist Incoming Vice President AAHP: Allison Hussey, a physiotherapist in the community setting and incoming VP of AAHP, highlighted the diverse range of professions within allied health beyond doctors and nurses. She emphasized that these professionals provide care across the lifespan, addressing various needs like mobility and breathing challenges. Allison is passionate about physiotherapy, driven by the desire to help people and witness the positive impact of her work. With 21 years of experience in various settings, she now focuses on community work, addressing the shortage of physiotherapists in the province and encouraging new graduates and out-of-province professionals to consider opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador. She sees technology as an emerging factor in her field, especially for remote access, and values the collaborative spirit of the AAHP annual meeting to advance their union and advocacy efforts.

 

Gordon Piercey – Social Worker President of AAHP: Gordon Piercey, President of AAHP and a social worker at the Janeway, emphasized the association’s 50-year history and its 850 members across 25 occupational groups. He described allied health professionals as highly skilled and educated, often with master’s or PhD degrees, offering specialized expertise in areas like pediatrics, mental health, and senior care. Gordon, a social worker with 30 years of experience, shared his passion for helping people, inspired by his own guidance counselor. He noted current challenges in the healthcare system, including complex clinical presentations, time pressures, and communication issues, but also highlighted the problem-solving abilities and expertise of allied health professionals. He stressed the need for leaders to listen to and support their ideas, and expressed hope for positive changes, fueled by the energy and advocacy of AAHP members.

 

Paula Newhook – Social Worker: Paula Newhook, a social worker in cancer care, chose social work over engineering to follow her heart and help people. She finds her work rewarding, despite its challenges, and believes she gets back more than she gives, learning from people’s experiences. Paula wants the public to know that social work is diverse and not limited to child protection, encouraging people to reach out for help. She acknowledged staffing shortages and healthcare system challenges but remains optimistic about working together for change. Paula values the biannual AAHP conference for learning from colleagues and uniting to find solutions, advocating for leaders to recognize the varied disciplines within allied health and their essential role in patient care.

 

Kayla Evans – Speech Language Pathologist: Kayla Evans, a pediatric speech language pathologist, helps children with speech, language, and social communication difficulties, empowering families in the process. She finds her work rewarding, especially collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Kayla identified wait times as a major challenge, hindering timely early intervention, but noted the opportunities to improve the system and advocate for more resources. She appreciates the AAHP conference for its shared goal of providing quality healthcare and the collective motivation to improve care for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Kayla believes decision-makers should engage frontline workers for insights into what is working and what needs change.

 

Shelley George – Hyperbaric Technologist AAHP Board Member: Shelley George, a hyperbaric technologist and former medical flight specialist, described her daily work operating hyperbaric chambers for patients with various conditions, including carbon monoxide poisoning and wound care. Her past role involved retrieving and transporting critically ill patients, a high-pressure but rewarding job. Shelley sees challenges in the increasing patient volume and complexity, but also observes significant advancements in paramedicine and technology. She values the AAHP conference for collaboration and addressing healthcare issues, urging leaders to listen to frontline workers and their concerns.

 

Bonnie Tobin – Speech Language Pathologist Vice President Rural: Bonnie Tobin, a retiring speech language pathologist and VP Rural for AAHP, emphasized the passion and dedication required in leadership, advocating for rural members with unique challenges. She stressed that allied health professionals are caring individuals committed to helping people, a fact often overlooked. Bonnie described her fulfilling career aiding people with communication and swallowing issues, recalling a particularly moving experience with a patient regaining his voice. She expressed concern over the current healthcare system treating beds rather than people and advocated for increased long-term care beds, reduced wait times, and consultation with frontline staff. Bonnie will miss the human connection with her patients and colleagues upon retirement.

 

Cheryl Bailey – Respiratory Therapist: Cheryl Bailey, a respiratory therapist with over 30 years of experience, discussed the diverse roles of her profession, from oxygen setup to resuscitation. She found her path to respiratory therapy by chance but has found it very rewarding, now serving in a leadership role. Cheryl noted challenges in being a lesser-known profession compared to doctors and nurses, despite being present during critical patient moments. She sees opportunities in community outreach and preventative care but faces staffing limitations. Cheryl values the AAHP conference for uniting diverse professions with common challenges and goals, urging leaders to allow professionals to practice their full scope to benefit the province’s people.

 

Kim Maher – Occupational Therapist: Kim Maher, a pediatric occupational therapist, detailed her work helping children with various developmental issues from infancy to adolescence, including daily routines, play, school function, and transition to adulthood. With over 30 years of experience, her initial interest in hand therapy evolved into a passion for regulation and sensory issues, particularly in children with autism. Kim finds her work incredibly rewarding, especially witnessing children achieve their potential despite challenges. She highlighted the increasing volume of referrals, long wait lists, and the lack of school-based occupational therapists as major system challenges, but also identified opportunities for team-based approaches and health teams connected to schools and daycare centers. Kim hopes leaders recognize the value and autonomy of allied health professionals and their ability to provide solutions.

 

Aruna Thyagarajan – Psychologist: Aruna Thyagarajan, a psychologist working with children and families, emphasizes the importance of human connection and understanding human behavior. With 27 years of experience, including 16 in Newfoundland, she finds her work mutually beneficial, learning as much as she gives, especially from children. Aruna sees the biggest challenge in the changing world, which she feels is veering away from human connection towards materialism and power, affecting the children and families she works with. She believes solutions lie in rediscovering and prioritizing human connection over material things. Aruna values the AAHP conference for the opportunity to connect with colleagues on a human level, urging decision-makers to listen to allied health professionals and their insights for genuine solutions.

 

Brittany Churchill – Pharmacist Incoming Board Director: Brittany Churchill, a pharmacist transitioning from the Waterford Hospital to the new mental health and addictions facility, described her various roles, including verifying medication orders, counseling patients, and supervising other pharmacists. She is passionate about pharmacology and helping people, finding pharmacy to be a natural fit. Brittany sees the biggest challenge as staffing and resources, particularly with expanding clinical roles, but also notes opportunities in family care teams, harm reduction, and pediatric ICU involvement. She believes the AAHP conference highlights the common challenges and contributions of various allied health professions. Brittany urges policymakers to consider the needs of frontline workers and patients, ensuring adequate resources for the best possible care.

 

Dion Ross – Pharmacist: Dion Ross, a clinical pharmacist with nearly 32 years of experience, explained the evolving role of pharmacists, emphasizing their increased involvement in treatment plans and expanded scope of practice, including prescribing for minor ailments and administering vaccinations. He shared his passion for hospital pharmacy and his pride in his daughter’s choice to follow in his footsteps. Dion sees staffing shortages as a major challenge, particularly in rural areas, but highlights the opportunities for pharmacists to address healthcare gaps with their expanded scope of practice. He values the AAHP conference for promoting collaboration and advocates for policymakers to allow pharmacists and other professionals to work to their full scope and provide adequate resources for clinical work.

 

Lori Greene – Speech Language Pathologist: Lori Greene, a speech language pathologist, explained her dual role in helping people with communication and swallowing difficulties. Her journey to this profession was unexpected but ultimately fulfilling, leading her to work across various settings and populations. Lori noted the challenge of an aging population with increasing age-related health challenges, impacting her work in rehab. She believes the solution lies in raising public awareness of speech language pathology and its benefits, urging policymakers to recognize the role of allied health professionals as essential to keeping healthcare together. Lori values the AAHP conference for its shared sense of purpose and the opportunity to connect with colleagues.

 

Patti O’Keefe – Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist: Patti O’Keefe, an occupational therapist and team lead, described her work helping people with daily living activities and returning to their desired life, across all life phases. Inspired by her mother, Patti pursued occupational therapy from a young age and has enjoyed 26 years in rural practice. She finds it rewarding to see patients overcome challenges and return to independent living. Patti sees the challenge in an aging society with increasing healthcare demands and limited resources, advocating for more resources and more allied health professionals in decision-making roles. She appreciates the AAHP conference for advancing the goals of the union and improving the healthcare system. Patti urges policymakers to recognize the dedication of allied health professionals and the potential for improved care with adequate resources.

 

Carrie Vautour and Jane Bowering – Audiologists: Carrie Vautour and Jane Bowering, audiologists, explained their work at the Janeway, serving all ages from newborns to centenarians. They highlighted the broader scope of audiology beyond hearing aids, including tinnitus support and vestibular assessments for balance. Both find their work emotionally rewarding, especially witnessing people hear for the first time or clearer. They emphasized the importance of hearing for communication and overall well-being and advocated for greater public understanding of audiology’s role. Carrie and Jane value the AAHP conference for connecting with other healthcare professionals and recognizing shared challenges and goals, urging leaders to

 

Dr. Jodi Spiegel – Psychologist: Dr. Jodi Spiegel, a registered psychologist, always knew she wanted to help people in the medical profession. She found her calling in psychology during university and now works in outpatient adult mental health. Dr. Spiegel emphasizes the importance of collaborative care with other professionals due to the increasing complexity of people’s lives. She loves learning about people and new research, describing her work as solving a puzzle to understand individuals’ experiences and behaviors. She sees a major challenge in the lack of public and governmental understanding of each healthcare professional’s role and advocates for a team approach to address individual needs. Dr. Spiegel believes opportunities lie in utilizing existing models like stepped care and emphasizes the skills psychologists have in program development and assessment. She finds the AAHP conference energizing and a place to connect with passionate colleagues. Her message to decision-makers is to come to frontline professionals for solutions, as they are creative, innovative, and committed to evidence-based practices and professional standards.

 

Josh Fisher – Medical Flight Specialist: Josh Fisher, a medical flight specialist with NLHS, is essentially a flight paramedic or nurse with advanced critical care training. He is part of the 911 system for the hospital, primarily handling inter-facility transports of the sickest patients across Newfoundland and Labrador and even to other provinces. He works on various specialized aircraft due to the province’s diverse geography. Josh’s path to this field began with an ambition to work in healthcare, leading him to a degree in emergency medical services. He moved to Newfoundland the night of Hurricane Igor and has been working there for 20 years. He sees challenges in the province’s high demand and low supply of resources, an aging population and infrastructure, and the difficulty in planning for the future. However, he believes the greatest opportunities lie in the dedicated workforce who care about their patients. Josh finds the AAHP conference interesting for the variety of allied health professions and the significant roles they play. His message to leaders is simple: “Listen to us,” as frontline workers have the expertise and information needed to make necessary changes without relying solely on external reports.

 

Christina Sullivan – Occupational Therapist: Christina Sullivan, an occupational therapist who has worked in mental health throughout her career, recently moved to a new facility after spending significant time at the Waterford Hospital. She primarily works with the geriatric population in acute care, assessing their needs for support at home or a higher level of care upon discharge. Christina explains that occupational therapy focuses on “meaningful activities” and is very client-centered, aiming to help people do things better or differently. She returned to occupational therapy after initially pursuing other interests in high school. She sees major challenges in staffing and resources, especially with her own retirement imminent and a lack of new professionals entering the field. Christina believes opportunities exist in attracting young people to healthcare careers and supporting them through training and their careers. She values the collaboration at the AAHP conference and wants people to understand the value of occupational therapy. Her message to decision-makers is that making healthcare work requires a range of skills and expertise working together creatively to help people not just live, but thrive, and that recruiting and retaining more allied health professionals would provide a significant return on investment.

 

Megan Noble – Occupational Therapist: Megan Noble, an occupational therapist based in Clarenville, works mainly in acute care but also covers long-term care. She explains that occupational therapy is a broad profession with roles in various settings, including pediatrics, acute care, long-term care, palliative care, and community. Occupational therapists define “occupation” as anything a person does in their daily life and help people with these tasks, often focusing on discharge planning and making homes safe for patients. Megan initially considered teaching but was drawn to occupational therapy’s holistic approach and focus on changing the environment to help people. Working in a rural setting, she faces challenges with less support and fewer occupational therapists in the area, but values the collaboration with her team of allied health professionals. She has been an occupational therapist for three years and sees challenges in limited resources and support for allied health professionals, particularly in rural areas. Megan believes opportunities lie in advocating for different things and continuing conversations to find solutions that work for various locations. She finds the AAHP conference interesting for the different perspectives from various professions and the camaraderie among colleagues. Her message to decision-makers is to understand the roles of allied health professionals and how they contribute to the healthcare system, as they are often overlooked, and to offer solutions like better workload management and more positions to address long waitlists.

 

Dana French – Orthoptist: Dana French, an orthoptist at the Janeway Eye Clinic, is currently the only orthoptist there. She explains that orthoptists deal with people who have misaligned eyes and lack binocularity, assessing their binocularity and providing non-surgical treatment, measurements before surgery, and patching for decreased vision in one eye, primarily in children. Dana also treats adults with double vision, assessing if prisms can help restore normal vision and improve their lives. Her path to orthoptics began with a science degree and a desire to work in healthcare, leading her to train and work at Sick Kids in Toronto for 10 years before moving home to Newfoundland. She has been working at the Janeway for 18 years. Dana sees a major challenge in the current situation at the Janeway Eye Clinic, where they are only at 50% capacity due to having only one orthoptist instead of the usual two, significantly impacting pediatric ophthalmology services. This is a huge red flag that the public may not realize. Dana, a solution provider, believes opportunities lie in focusing on recruitment and retention, seeing the value of existing staff, and showing appreciation for their willingness to help. She finds the AAHP conference very empowering, bringing allied health professionals together with shared stories and a common goal to help people and improve the healthcare system. Her message to decision-makers is to listen to the frontline workers, who understand how the system works and know how to make it better.

 

Cheryl St. Croix – Respiratory Therapist: Cheryl St. Croix, a respiratory therapist with NLHS services for 27 years, explains that respiratory therapists help people with breathing problems and have diverse roles in various areas, including intensive care units, emergency departments, medicine and surgery wards, hyperbaric medicine, pulmonary function testing, bronscopy, sleep apnea, and community services, working with both adult and pediatric populations. Her pathway to respiratory therapy began with music education, but after researching and being intrigued by the field, she applied and waited four years to get in, eventually leaving university to pursue it. Cheryl sees several challenges, with staffing always at the top of the list due to the small number of respiratory therapists in the province and the increasing acuteness of patients. This often leads to long shifts and challenges in retaining staff, in addition to the emotional and physical demands of the job. Cheryl believes there are plenty of opportunities for the profession to expand and grow, and that the government needs to work with frontline staff and unions to find solid solutions, increase class sizes in schools, and promote the profession, as most people are unaware of what respiratory therapists do until they need one. She has absolute respect for all allied health professionals and is proud to be part of an interdisciplinary team. Her message to decision-makers is to open their eyes and realize that valuable, knowledgeable, and educated people are leaving the system, and not enough are coming in to sustain it, which will ultimately impact the people of the province.

 

Summary:

In conclusion, “The We Are Here Podcast” provides a comprehensive and compelling overview of the critical contributions of allied health professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador. It highlights their dedication, the challenges they face, and their vision for a more collaborative and supportive healthcare system. The podcast serves as a valuable resource for understanding the diverse roles within allied health and their vital importance to the health and well-being of the province’s population.

Why Health Care Providers should hire Gale Force Wins!