Care beyond medicine: A spotlight on allied health professionals

When we think about health care, often what comes to mind are doctors, nurses, and maybe even those intense medical scenes from our favourite TV dramas. But in reality, it’s more than just that…

The road to recovery almost always also involves high-quality integrated care from a diverse array of expert providers.

In hospitals, the term “allied health professionals” encompasses a wide range of roles – give or take 70 different disciplines – helping to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease as well as promote wellness.

“The allied health team at Oak Valley Health provides holistic patient care,” says Cecilia Chang, a practice leader in our Allied Health Program. “We don’t just focus on current medical issues – because people are complex – we look at many different aspects of care.”

Allied health professionals work collaboratively with the rest of the health care team to deliver people-centred care. They use their expertise to address physical, social, and emotional needs that can have a large impact on a patient’s wellbeing.

The care they provide extends beyond a diagnosis or procedure and addresses every factor that influences recovery and quality of life.

Meet some of our allied health professionals

Our team of allied health professionals ensures our patients get the care they need, at the right time and in the right place.

Meet four individuals who exemplify this important work: a pharmacist ensuring patients receive the right medications, a cardiac sonographer providing essential imaging to diagnose and manage heart conditions, a social worker offering support through emotional and social challenges, and a physiotherapist helping patients regain strength and mobility.

Together, they demonstrate the incredible teamwork and expertise that allied health professionals bring to patient care.

Alice Watt, pharmacist

If I wasn’t a pharmacist, I would be: Human factors engineer or lounge pianist.
Three words to describe you: Affable, connector, tenacious.
One healthy tip: Don’t hold a grudge for too long! Learn to just let it go.
Favourite vacation: Going to Carpenter, which is a remote village in northern Ghana, in 2008 with Dr. Jennifer Wilson as part of the Ghana medical team of 50 health care providers.
Favourite summer activity: Camping with my family and looking up at the night sky, minus the mosquitos.

Alice is a pharmacist who works at both Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital. She contributes to patient care through her expertise in medications, helping to optimize treatment plans and ensuring patients achieve the best possible outcomes.

“I love working together with pharmacy technicians, nurses, doctors, and other allied health professionals to solve medication-related puzzles and come up with solutions to help our patients feel better,” says Alice.

Alice also collaborates with other health care providers to monitor patient progress, manage medication therapies, and provide education on proper use of medication.

She believes harmony is created when diverse voices unite with one goal: compassionate patient care. Alice is proud to help make this harmonious healing a reality every day.

“As allied health professionals, we each bring our own superpower to the team,” says Alice.

Jennifer Martin, cardiac sonographer

If I wasn’t a cardiac sonographer, I would be: Interior designer.
Three words to describe you: Energetic, friendly, and enthusiastic.
One healthy tip: Try to get some exercise everyday. Even if it is just a walk.
Favourite vacation: Jamaica.
Favourite summer activity: I play a lot of tennis.

Jennifer is a cardiac sonographer who works at Markham Stouffville Hospital. She specializes in ultrasound technology to examine the heart and provides critical insight for patients of all ages — from newborns to adults.

“We assess the structure, function, and blood flow of the heart,” says Jennifer. “I work in the Diagnostic Services department but my role can take me to every floor in the hospital.”

She values being an allied health professional and enjoys working together with doctors and other providers to help patients navigate care.

“Our job is to try and find out what’s wrong or rule something out,” says Jennifer. “I like being part of the team that helps them through their health journey.”

Jennifer Porteous-Muller, social worker

If I wasn’t a social worker, I would be: Working in an art school teaching art class.
Three words to describe you: Dedicated, passionate, and determined.
One healthy tip: Stay grounded. Find what holds you in your life, whether it is friends, families, sports, or hobbies.
Favourite sports team: Toronto Blue Jays.
Favourite summer activity: Driving my three-wheeled Can-Am Ryker.

Jennifer is a social worker at Markham Stouffville Hospital who works in our Breast Health Centre, Melanoma Clinic, and Oncology Clinic. She supports patients and families through some of life’s most challenging moments.

“Social workers help patient’s and caregivers navigate new diagnoses, support difficult health challenges, find and share resources, and provide links to community resources and programs,” says Jennifer. “We work collaboratively with many teams to solve complex social- and health-related issues.”

You’ll find social workers like Jennifer working across our hospitals seven days a week — from the Emergency Department to the ICU — offering patients care and services they need, when they need it.

“I love the unique opportunity to provide support and help people at some of their most personal and challenging moments,” says Jennifer. “I value being able to make a difference in people’s lives as part of a strong allied health team alongside our highly-dedicated physicians and nurses. Our teamwork is our strength.”

Sharon Cheng, physiotherapist

If I wasn’t a physiotherapist, I would be: Firefighter.
Three words to describe you: Resilient, persevering, determined.
One healthy tip: Motion is lotion!
Favourite vacation: Relaxing in the Caribbean.
Favourite sport: Soccer.

Sharon is a physiotherapist at Markham Stouffville Hospital. She works closely with patients to restore their mobility and return to daily activities, from walking and climbing stairs, to grocery shopping and spending time with loved ones.

“As a physiotherapist, we assess what the patient’s current functional mobility is and their movement status,” says Sharon. “We want to understand what their baseline function was to help patients get stronger and return to their day-to-day activities.”

Sharon’s passion for health care was inspired by her mother who is a nurse. While exploring career paths in high school, Sharon discovered that physiotherapy was her calling.

“Ever since participating in Take Our Kids to Work Day, I knew I wanted to be involved in health care,” says Sharon. “I wanted to see patients get better and recover to get back to doing the things they love and rehab was where that resonated with me the most.”

This article appeared in the November 2024 issue of The Link. To receive Oak Valley Health’s community newsletter, subscribe now.