About our Clinic

 

 

 

We have been called the ‘Little Clinic that Could’ and we certainly did!  We were established in 1994 by a group of dedicated area residents and have been in operation for 14 years.  The first 12 years was through the tireless efforts of volunteers.

 

The building which houses our Clinic was, at one time, the only bank in Bear River.  When the Royal Bank of Canada closed this branch, the building was offered to the community for a nominal fee.  A well-attended public meeting was held and it was determined that we would develop a Community Health Clinic with emphasis on illness prevention and health promotion.  That emphasis has never wavered.  A needs assessment was conducted and the three most necessary services were identified by area residents.  The main thing they focused on was a community doctor.  This was implemented early on.  Other needs identified were foot care and a dentistry.

 

A dentist has never materialized, but the Clinic has had various professionals on site providing foot care.  We have also, over the years, had several other professionals and workshops on location.

 

In 1997, the Clinic was dedicated to Dr. D. S. Brennan who has since passed on.  Dr. Brennan was a long-time family physician in the village of Bear River.

 

Among many adversities this organization has faced and overcome, the greatest by far was the devastating fire on March 27, 2006.  As evidence of the strength and determination of the community and the Clinic’s board of Directors, the day after the fire, patients of Dr. P. Goddard (who held office hours on Wednesdays at the Clinic for 12 years) were being notified that he would see them the next day at the Health Centre on the nearby First Nations Reservation.

 

October 2, 2006 saw the doors reopen to our Clinic.  Renovations have been completed and a full time Administrative Coordinator is on location.  On the outside, the building looks much as it did before the fire.  Inside, however, is a different matter.  Board members, under the direction of Chairperson Judith Isles did a wonderful job of taking advantage of this tragedy to improve the layout of the Health Clinic.

 

The Board of Directors of the Bear River and Area Community Health Clinic would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the many individuals and organizations who, over the years, have helped out in many ways.  They would also like to take this opportunity to invite you to visit our Clinic if you have never been in.

 

We offer ongoing programs and services to meet the needs of residents of Bear River and surrounding areas.  Check out our site to see if there is something of interest to you or your family.  If you have any suggestions for programming, please let us know.

 

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