Alts’ik K’atr’anahtii Zheh Old Crow Health Centre

The Old Crow Health Centre, pictured left, was built in 1960 and later upgraded in 1985. This large building houses a clinic, offices for staff, a visitor's suite, two apartments, furnace room and storage space. It is staffed year round by Registered Nurses, a Clerk/Receptionist and a Custodial Worker. Health care in Old Crow is provided by the Government of Yukon, Health and Social Services, Community Nursing. The nurses, who have advanced training for working in isolated communities, provide emergency medical care, treat common illnesses, support people with chronic illness in functioning to the best of their ability and run programs aimed at preventing illness such as immunizations and cancer screening tests. They also work collaboratively with VGG's H&SP Dept on health promotion, Home and Community Care and community development type projects. The Health Centre supports medical doctor clinics 15 times a year. It also supports other visiting professionals such as the mental health worker, social worker and dentist in providing their services to the community. The clinic area consists of the reception area, examination rooms and several other rooms. To aid in diagnosing illness and deciding on a treatment plan, the nurses can take and develop x-rays of chests and limbs in the x-ray room. They also collect lab specimens such as blood, swabs and smears, which are specially packaged in the small lab room and sent to Whitehorse General Hospital. The pharmacy room contains a small stock of medications, which the nurses can dispense according to guidelines. Meetings and education sessions are held in the telehealth room. The playroom is very popular with young children. For information regarding the clinic schedule, click here: One nurse is "on-call" after regular clinic hours for emergency services only. Nurses interested in working here can find more information at employment.gov.yk.ca.

Brook Davis RN, BScN is the current Community Nurse Practitioner in charge.(CNP). She worked in northern Manitoba prior to starting the position here in September of 2005. She is responsible for direct client care and program delivery. Brook is an instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates and Red Cross Canada. She offers a variety of first aid courses through Yukon College, which is an additional service to the community.

Sue Lightford RN, BSN is the current Community Nurse Practitioner (CNP). She worked in Teslin prior to starting her position here on March 13, 2008. She is responsible for direct client care and program delivery.

Anna Holmes Holmes is the Clerk/Receptionist. She worked with Northern Store prior to accepting this position in May 2007. She performs reception, clerical and administrative assistant duties for the Health Centre. Her duties include greeting people and answering the phone, maintaining client records, setting up appointments, and arranging medical travel to Whitehorse for people who require tests and/or treatment not available in Old Crow. She is seen here with Barb Hood (on the left), a summer relief nurse who has been coming to the community for almost 10 years..

John Joseph Kaye is the Custodial Worker. He worked in a number of different places, including Inuvik General Hospital prior to accepting this position in July 2007. His duties include keeping the main level areas clean and hygienic, the floors in good condition and the outside areas clean and safe. He also delivers and picks up freight, changes the x-ray developing solutions, and performs other maintenance duties as required.

Past Nurses posted in Old Crow.
(Many are missing. Please contact us if you have pictures or bio information.)

Click thumbs to enlarge picture.

Pat Downey was the Nurse Practitioner in Charge of the Health Centre and arrived here in May 2002. The Practitioner in Charge is responsible for managing the Health Centre. Pat retired on January 16, 2008.

Old Crow Health Centre hours of operation (150kb).

For the latest announcements on the Old Crow Health Centre and dates of Physician visits, please visit Physician Vists & Announcements on the Gwich'in Forum.