For many health care workers, the pursuit of a health career was inspired by a desire to follow in the footsteps of a family member or loved one. In one Manitoba community, a trio of health care staff have gone one step further, inspiring not only a career choice, but a workplace.
Jacqueline Middleton, her daughter Kim Rheault and granddaughter Tessa Helliwell all work at the same community hospital located in St. Claude, Manitoba.

“It is pretty special to share a workplace with my daughter and granddaughter,” said Middleton, who started at the facility in 1984 in a laundry/housekeeping role before becoming a health care aide, a role she holds to this day.

“Back when I became a health care aide, the course was $20 and taught by the director of nursing. Much of what I’ve learned has come from working on the floor over many years of experience.”

Middleton’s daughter, Kim Rheault, remembers being encouraged by her mother to consider working in health care.

Rheault began work as a health care aide in 2008 and eventually trained as a nurse, working at the St. Claude Health Centre, where her mom was also employed.
“When I have the chance to work with my mom, I do look to her for advice. She has been here for more than 35 years and the patients all trust her, she is the reason I started working in health care,” said Rheault.

“Being a health care aide was a good fit. I very much enjoy taking care of people and providing comfort. It also was a reliable job, and I was able to pick up extra shifts to support myself and my daughter,” she added.

That daughter, Rheault’s eldest child, Tessa Helliwell, is now also working at the St. Claude Health Centre, alongside her mom and grandmother.

“I decided to go into health care because there are so many opportunities and you can learn a lot of new things. I enjoy helping others,” said Helliwell, a health care aide. “It doesn’t happen all the time, but when we’re all scheduled, the shifts feel a bit different, a bit more easygoing.”

“Working with family is pretty special.”

Submitted by: Shared Health Manitoba