By Deidre Taylor

(Published in Nova Scotia Health's 2018/19 Annual Report)

The Shelburne collaborative family practice team opened the doors of its new primary health care clinic to patients in early February.

“This clinic space is a lot bigger and more suited to our needs,” said Dr. John Keeler, a family physician with the Shelburne Family Practice team.

“This is a space specifically for a collaborative practice. It’s a lot better for staff, providers and patients.”

By Emily Leeson

(Published in The Grapevine)

By Chelsea Tucker

Nurse practitioner Maria Ceschiutti always saw herself working in health care.
 
“I don’t know if I ever thought of myself as anybody other than a professional in health care,” said Ceschiutti, who works out of the newly constructed collaborative health care centre in Shelburne, nestled conveniently next to Roseway Hospital.

But Ceschiutti wasn’t exactly sure what role she wanted to play in the health care system until university.

By Kathy Johnson

(Published in the Tri-county Vanguard)

There is good reason to celebrate the new primary heath care centre in Sandy Point, which has already attracted one primary health care provider to the area and has just upped Shelburne’s game for physician recruitment.

The opening of the $3-million facility was celebrated during an open house on Feb. 12.

By Isabelle d’Entremont

Most people know what to expect when they go for an appointment with their primary care provider. It usually involves chatting face-to-face in the exam room with a doctor or nurse practitioner.

So when patient Marie Wheelock was contacted about a virtual care appointment at the Digby and Area Health Services Centre, she was a bit apprehensive. But she quickly realized that it wasn’t very different from a regular doctor’s appointment.

“Once I’d seen how it worked, I was fine with it,” she said.

By Margaret Angus

Gabriela Vellego’s first language is Portuguese. She also speaks fluent French, English and Spanish and is learning German and Italian. Languages aren’t just an interest for Vellego; they’re a passion. 

 By Preston Mulligan

(Published by CBC News)

When Gabriela Vellego drove off the ferry last summer and into Digby, N.S., with her husband and three-year-old son in tow, she knew instantly this would be her new home.

Her family had been living outside Montreal and were looking forward to an East Coast vacation. She had no idea that vacation would become such a turning point in her life.

Photo: Gabriela Vellego, nurse practitioner, smiles as her son Olivier entertains at the community meet and greet at Islands Health Centre, Freeport, Digby Neck.

The communities of Long and Brier Islands had a chance to say bem vindo, the Portugese phrase for welcome, to their new nurse practitioner (NP) and her family last week.

(Published in Nova Scotia Health's 2017/18 Annual Report)

Work continues on the new collaborative health centre being built next to Roseway Hospital. Construction is expected to be complete in fall 2018.

When children come to see Angela Morgan, the family practice nurse at the Digby & Area Health Services Centre, they don’t just get needles. 

When Angela sees children for their wellness checks she asks if they are being read to daily. “When children are read to daily, it has a positive impact on their outcomes,” said Angela. “It can improve kids’ success in school, their language and social skills, and even help when they eventually enter the workforce. Being read to makes kids healthier.”