Health Centre

Departure of Dr. Rafal Banas

Dear community members,

It is with deep sadness we announce the departure of Dr. Banas from the Saulteau First Nation’s Health Centre. While it is never easy to say goodbye to a valued healthcare provider, we are deeply thankful for the years of compassionate service and dedication Dr. Banas has provided to our community. We wish him all the best in his next chapter and celebrate the positive impact he has made with us.

We understand that changes in your healthcare provider can feel unsettling, and we want to assure you that your health, comfort, and well-being remain our highest priority. Our team is here to support you through this transition and to ensure you continue to receive the care you need. We sincerely thank Dr. Banas for his commitment to our community, and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this period of change.

We encourage you to begin the process of choosing a new family doctor to maintain continuity of care. In the meantime, please see below for a list of alternate medical resources available to support you until a new family physician joins our health team.

Thank you for your continued trust and resilience.

Sincerely,
Saulteau Health Centre.

Download Departure Letter

Alternate Medical Resources:

  • 911 All Emergency situations
  • 811 Health Link BC to Speak with a nurse
  • 1-855-344-3800 First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day
  • 1-844-645-7811 Norther Nations Virtual Care Clinic

Online Virtual Bookings:

Many virtual doctors and nurse practitioners are available, and appointments can be made through online booking. For virtual telephone or zoom appointments, have your MSP health care card available and register at one of the sites online.

Listed, are a few virtual clinics available:

CHETWYND MEDICAL OFFICES::

*** Please note that both medical clinics have extensive wait lists and are not currently accepting new patients. Please call their office should you have questions on how to be added to their waiting list ***

Our goal at the Health Centre is to focus on providing continuous, reliable programming that focuses on holistic health and healing. The health team always strives to maintain reliability and confidentiality.

The SFN Health & Family Services Department offer several services which include the following:
NURSING
  • Immunizations
  • Flu Clinics
  • Naloxone training
  • Screening activities
  • Treatment activities
  • Prenatal care (Clinics, Lunches, Biweekly gift cards ETC.)
  • Postpartum care
  • Newborn and Youth Care
  • Injury prevention
RECREATION
  • Yoga
  • Camp Sagitawa Christian Camp
  • Family movie nights
  • Elders swim
  • Elder golfing
  • After school programming
  • Powder King Day trips
  • Science Camp
  • Boot Camp
  • Volleyball
  • Foodie Fix
OUTREACH
  • One on one contact with community members
  • Assist in accessing health, housing and social services
  • Assist in enhancing life skills and promoting healthy lifestyle activities
  • Advocating on behalf of clients and/or supporting them to advocate for themselves
  • Collaboration & coordination of services with appropriate community agencies
  • Liaising with hospitals and community agencies
TSOW TUN LE LUM (Traditional Healers)

The Tsow Tun Le Lum traditional healers provide programs that address the issues of addictions and substance abuse, and that support the survivors of trauma and residential schools.  

Their mission is to strengthen the ability of First Nations people to live healthy, happy lives and to have pride in their native identity. 

COMMUNITY HEALTH REPRESENTATIVE
  • Elders Day away, Lunch Bingo.
  • COHI
  • Acupuncture Clinics
  • Men’s group
  • Optometry Clinic
  • Parenting power tools
MENTAL WELLNESS
  • Adult and youth services
  • Direct counselling
  • Community based supports
  • Cultural supports
FAMILY SUPPORT
  • Advocacy and support
  • Healthy lifestyles and health choices
  • Family violence prevention
HOME CARE
  • Diabetes education
  • Home visits
  • Community activities
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
  • Social development
  • Income assistance
  • Assisted living

Doctor Hours and Locations

Office hours:  9am – 4pm (closed for lunch from 12 noon – 1pm)
Fax: (236) 364-2500

Locations:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
SFN Health Center
1712 Civic Road, Moberly Lake
Thursday and Friday
Next door to IDA Pharmacy
5016 50th Ave, Chetwynd
Pre-booking appointments is recommended, as we cannot guarantee same day availability.
Schedule is subject to change.

Notes:

Dr. Banas is at the SFN Health center Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

10am – noon: Telephone appointments
1:30pm – 3:45pm: In person, by appointment

Dr. Banas’ schedule may change. On the days he has on-call shifts at the hospital, he is not available and the following day he will take half of phone calls for prescription refills only.

On days when SFN is closed (i.e., for funerals) we will try and rebook in town. If the Health Centre is overbooked with health events, we may try to move into town for those days to give them more office space.

Upcoming Health Centre Events

See all Events

Health Centre – Contacts

Name
Title
Phone
Email
Ashely Gauthier
Operations Manager - Health Centre
(250) 788-7378
 Ext. 2061
Tina Young
Administrative Assistant
(250) 788-7258
 Ext. 2051
Melva Sorell
Receptionist
(250) 788-7280
 Ext. 2057
Heather Lirette
Community Health Nurse
(250) 788-7371
 Ext. 2058
Savannah Norris
Home Care Nurse Lead
(250) 788-7375
 Ext. 2060
Chantel Fortier
Care Aid/Homemaker
(250) 788-7285
 Ext. 2062
Kaylee Labby
Care Aid/Homemaker
(250) 788-7285
 Ext. 2059
Chelsea Gauthier
Community Health Representative
(250) 788-7262
 Ext. 2052
Rebecca Widdicombe
Wellness Counsellor
General Mental Health Intake
(236) 364-2009
 Ext. 001
Layne Labby
Home Care Nurse
(250) 788-7375
 Ext. 2063
Dianne Courtoreille
Homemaker (1 Year Term)
(250) 788-7285
 Ext. 2056
Tracy Aird
Medical Office Assistant
(250) 788-7266
 Ext. 2055
Amanda Kolosky
Medical Office Assistant (Casual)
(250) 788-7266
 Ext. 2054
Rafal Banas
Physician
(250) 788-7266

Family Support Services

Name
Title
Phone
Email
Jessa Coukell
Family Support Service Manager
(250) 401-7741
Corrina Wutzke
Family Support Worker
(250) 401-7741
 Ext. 2036
Morgan Williams
Family Support Worker
VACANT
Youth Program Facilitator
Derek Wood
Youth Program Facilitator
(250) 401-3498
 Ext. 2037
Robyn Bateman
Youth Centre & IDA Custodian
VACANT
Cree Language Facilitator
VACANT
Life Skills Program Facilitator
VACANT
Life Skills Program Facilitator/Right to Play Mentor