Esk'etemc Health Services

Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8:30am - 5pm
Friday, 8:30am - 1:30pm

Phone: 250-440-5651

Mission Statement

"To provide a holistic community-based health program to foster the spiritul, mental, emotional and physical well-being of Esk'etemc."

Image

still shot from "Ctsenmewsctem re Stsmemelt" film by Jeremy Williams

Staff Members
  • Judy Ventry, Health Director - healthdirector@esketemchealth.ca
  • Freda Johnson, Office Administrator - fredaj@esketemchealth.ca
  • Raeal Chelsea, PT Administrator - raealj@esketemchealth.ca
  • Neil Paul, Receptionist - npaul@esketemchealth.ca
  • Renee Mckeown, LPN Maternal Child Health - reneem@esketemchealth.ca
  • Martina Evans, RN Community Health Nurse - martinae@esketemchealth.ca
  • Michélyn Whitford, LPN - michelynw@esketemchealth.ca
  • Leah Martin, NNADAP - nnadap@esketemchealth.ca
  • Terry Buhler, Dental Therapist - terry.buhler@fnha.ca
  • Fred Johnson, Traditional Wellness Coordinator - frederickj@esketemchealth.ca
  • Jacinta Sampson, Cultural Apprentice - jacintas@esketemchealth.ca
  • Frederick Johnson Jr., Cultural Apprentice
  • Mackenzi D’Appolonia-Johnson, Cultural Apprentice
  • Natalie Johnson, Cultural Apprentice - nataliej@esketemchealth.ca
  • Rochelle George, Home Care Aide - rochelleg@esketemchealth.ca
  • Janine Johnson, Home Care Aide – janinej@esketemchealth.ca
  • Mildred Belleau, Home Care Aide - mildredb@esketemchealth.ca
  • Elizabeth Robbins, Home Support Worker – ElizabethR@esketemchealth.ca
  • Savanna Robbins, Home Support Worker – savannar@esketemchealth.ca
  • Lillie Johnson, Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors Coordinator – lilliej@esketemchealth.ca
  • Janet Robbins, Health Custodian/O&M
  • Mabel Paul, ADP Custodian/O&M

Letwilc Ren Semec Centre
Laurie Brown, Manager/NNADAP Worker - laurieb@esketemchealth.ca
Lucy Dick, Life Skills Worker
Dave Belleau, Life Skills Worker
Donna Robbins, Receptionist
Doreen A. Johnson, Custodian

Home and Community Care

The Home and Community Care Program is responsible for providing housekeeping and home management services in accordance with Health and Safety Standards, personal care services, client support to social activities, and assists in client appointments with health services.

If you require information about First Nation Home Community Care programs click the following link: First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program or Esk’etemc’s Home and Community Care Program, please contact at 250-440-5651.

Community Health Nurse

Responsible for providing the public health program to Esk’etemc members.  This includes: counseling parents in pre and post-natal periods, administering immunizations, conducting health conferences for infants and pre-school children, and the controlling of communicable diseases through health teaching.

Home Care Nurse

The Home Care Nurse is responsible for providing community-based home care nursing services such as acute care nursing, client assessments, case planning and case conferencing.  She receives nursing supervision from the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and Health Canada.

Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI) Program
The COHI program was developed address the disparity between the oral health of First Nations and Inuit and that of the general Canadian population. COHI was launched on a test basis in 2004. COHI focuses on the prevention of dental disease and promotion of good oral health practices. The goal of COHI is to shift the emphasis from a primarily treatment based approach to a more balanced prevention and treatment focus. The initial focus for oral health promotion will be directed at three target groups: pregnant women and primary caregivers; pre-school children, 0-4 years of age; and school children, 5-7 years of age.

If you require more information about the COHI program visit  COHI Program or contact Freda Johnson at 250-440-5651, ext. 235.

Drug & Alcohol Counselling/Referrals
Laurie Brown is responsible for community alcohol, drug, and other chemical use/abuse counselling, referrals, education, and awareness programs. The Program receives some funds by Health Canada under the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP).  For a summary of basic information on all in-patient treatment centres funded by the NNADAP, see Treatment Centre Directory.

For more info regarding the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program visit  NNADAP or contact Laurie Brown at 250-302-3466.

Esk’et Patient Travel Program
Maintaining and preparing all patient travel documents and travel arrangements, the Patient Travel Program follows specific guidelines under Health Canada-Non-Insured Health Benefits which provides eligible Esk’etemc with a specified range of medically necessary health-related goods and services when they are not covered through private insurance plans or provincial/territorial health and social programs. Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, medical supplies and equipment, short-term crisis counselling, dental care, vision care, and medical transportation.

NOTE: Please be advised that all Out of Town Patient Travel claims will be processed once the written confirmation is brought in to the Patient Travel (PT) Clerk and must be signed by the client in order for travel request to be approved.

  • It is the Client's responsibility to bring in written confirmation to PT Clerk or fax to 250-440-5691.
  • Patient Travel is for Status Indians living on-reserve.  Clients (19 and over) must have a signed Doctor’s note stating that you have an appointment, the date of the appointment and if you require Escort, as escorts are only approved if there is a doctor’s request.
  • All Patient Travel forms need a Doctor’s signature; this is proof that you have attended the appointment. (For example: Kamloops appointments, if your appointment is between 1pm-3pm it would be considered a day trip and rooms will not be provided).
NOTE: We are ensuring that all information required on forms are provided for Audit Reasons. Thank you kindly for your assistance in helping us to remain within the policy of our PT Program.

For more info regarding NIHB please visit Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations and Inuit, or contact Raeal Chelsea at 250-440-5651 ext. 234.