Whapmagoostui | ᐧᐋᐸᒣᑯᔥᑐᐃ

General Description

Location

ᐧᐋᐸᒣᑯᔥᑐᐃ (Whapmagoostui) is located on the James Bay coast at the mouth of the Great Whale River. It is a unique community as it is a bicultural community of Inuit and Cree. The Cree community is called ᐧᐋᐸᒣᑯᔥᑐᐃ (where there are whales, in the Cree language) and The Inuit one is called Kuujjuarapik (the small, large river). The community has a population made up of 1100 Cree and 650 Inuit, for a total of over 1,700. The clinic is divided in two and operates independently of each other. The Inuit Clinic is administered by the Innulitsivik Health Care while the Cree Clinic is administered by the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay. Trainees are trained almost exclusively on the Cree side of the Whapmagoostui Community Miyupimaatisiiun Centre (CMC).

Capacity

• 1 resident per period

Length of Rotation

• 1 month

Language

• Spoken: English with patients, English and/or French with staff
• Charting: French or English
• Population spoken language: Cree, Inuktituk and English

Clinical Exposure and Learning Experiences

Rotation primarily done in Clinic (Dispensary)

Trainees can be expected to work one weekend (for calls, students usually do 4 evenings calls and 2 weekend days).

Trainees can be exposed to:

• Home care/visits
• Minor Procedures
• On-call
• Prenatal and Postnatal Care
• Walk-in Clinic including Emergencies
• Follow-up with patients

► The trainees assigned supervisor may change during the course of their rotation.

Other Interesting Information

The clinic provides primary healthcare services.

• 2 doctors at the clinic at all times

Watch the Documentary on SRC-TV, highlighting the work of Dr.Kitty & the healthcare challenges people in Eeyou Istchee face.

Lodging

Type of Lodging

Lodging is provided by the establishment and is located at a short walking distance from the clinic.

Trainees are lodged in a "transit". A transit is a house shared by other medical professionals. Trainees have a private room and share common gender-neutral areas (bathroom, kitchen, living room).

► It is important that everyone does their share to keep all common areas clean and safe at any time.

Accommodation Commodities

All accommodations are non-smoking environments.

Transportation

Trainees will travel to the site by air. As the flight is reserved and paid for by the site, trainees will not receive any stipend for transportation. 

Note: Driving to Whapmagoostui is not recommended.

Traveling by Plane

The flight arrangements are made in advance by the site coordinator located in Chisasibi. An email confirming transportation is usually sent 2 weeks prior to the departure date. If you haven’t received it, contact the site coordinator.

• Departure is from Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.You pick up your ticket on the day of travel from the Air Creebec counter. You should confirm your flight 24 hours prior to the departure with Air Creebec as flights can be delayed due to weather constraints.  Trainees often leave on charter flights from a hangar on Ryan Avenue.
• The flight leaves early on the first Monday of your rotation and the return flight is the last Friday afternoon of your rotation. It is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours in advance.
• Checked luggage is restricted to 44 lbs, 2 luggage.
• When your trip is longer than 2 weeks, you are allowed to bring the following but you MUST inform 18TCR MD Reservation in advance:
  • Check-in a maximum of 3 pieces of luggage per person
  • Total weight for the 3 pieces together cannot exceed 100 lbs
  • Maximum weight for one piece is 50 lbs.
• Extra fees may be charged for exceeding this limit.
• It is recommended that you bring snacks on board as usually a light meal is served.
• The plane makes multiple stops before reaching Great Whale. Passengers may get off and on the plane at some of the stops.
• Once at the destination, make sure that the luggage is unloaded.
• There will be a van-taxi waiting to bring you to the clinic. Even though, the driver has your name, we recommend having a proactive approach and asking questions at the counter. It is a 5-minute drive from the airport to the clinic.
• For any other questions about the flight, you can contact Air Creebec (phone 1-800-567-6567).
   

Use of Personal Vehicle

Important Information:
Read the online information before using your personal vehicle for university related activities.

Important Information

Please review the following rotation guidelines before the start of your rotation:
Whapmagoostui Trainee Guide

Important:
At least 3 weeks prior to rural rotation/elective, email the site contact to confirm your arrival.

Contact