Area residents got to see their local hospital in a unique way as the Westlock Healthcare Centre opened its doors to the public May 30.
Different hospital wards, including the operating and maternity rooms, were open to the public for tours. Demonstration units allowed residents the opportunity to use the tools an orthopedic surgeon would when performing shoulder and knee surgeries.
Joyce Nadeau, a former hospital employee, also returned to duty for the occasion to school visitors on the facility’s history and answer questions about historical medical equipment on display.
Nadeau started at the hospital in 1967 and worked there for over 40 years.
“It was for the Sisters of Charity, and they had to reuse and recycle before they could buy. Everything was reused,” Nadeau said.
“We used to recycle the rubber gloves, so we would check them for holes, powder them, turn them, and powder them again. If they had a little hole, you mended them and used them, not for surgery, but for other things.”
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rey Chaudhary demonstrated knee and shoulder operations with the help of a demonstration unit. Visitors were able to use the actual surgical instruments and were coached through the procedure by Chaudhary.
He said the open house was a prime opportunity for people to get better educated about the surgeries offered in Westlock.
“It’s good because the public doesn’t have a good idea of what’s involved. They’ve heard about stuff from friends, or they’ve seen some stuff on TV, but it’s nice for people to see first-hand what we do,” Chaudhary said.
The demonstration units allow for the public to have a better idea of the different procedures, especially for those who may be going under the knife.
“Seeing it is one thing, but when you actually get to put your hands on something you get a little bit more of an appreciation for it,” he said. “The better people are informed before going into any surgery, the better they are coming out. You always want to relieve anyone’s anxiety prior to the surgery.”
Kim Thomaser, who works in the lab of the hospital, brought her young son Blake to the open house so he could see mom’s work.
“He gets to see the lab and x-ray quite a bit, but I wanted him to see the rest of the hospital and where I work,” Thomaser said.
“He checked out the ambulance, emergency, and the operating room. It was nice to have him come and learn.”
While in the operating room three-year-old Blake was able to have some one-on-one time with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jan Lategan who explained to him the functions of several instruments used for hip replacement surgeries.
Hospital volunteer and pre-med student Sean Henry made the trip from Morinville to check out the facility.
“When I found out (it was happening) right away curiosity took hold. They said we would be able to go into the operating room and go into areas the public isn’t normally allowed to go and get to take a look at the system that’s in place,” Henry said.
“Having been around the medical field somewhat, a lot of times things are closed right off, but up here today things have been amazing, everything was opened up and we were able to talk to the staff who answered any questions we had.”
