CORNWALL, Ontario – The Cornwall Dialysis Clinic held an anniversary of service party on Wednesday, Nov. 21, celebrating 20 years of treatment in the community.
Prior to 1998, Dr. Gerald Posen, a nephrologist and medical director, noticed that Cornwall residents were travelling to Ottawa and Kingston for daily dialysis treatments. Dr. Posen successfully lobbied the government to assist with developing a clinic in Cornwall as the clinic opened in November of 1998. He has been heralded as one of the pioneers of Canadian nephrology.
Monique Moore-Coulombe, Clinic Leader of 14 years, said that the clinic can currently service eight individuals at a time. Moore-Coulombe explained that the clinic’s Germany-based parent company, Fresenius Medical Care, provides state of the art products and equipment. Individuals from across the globe have visited the clinic for treatment while on vacations as the clinic is designed to service chronic patients rather than acute.
“Patients come sometimes four days a week for hours at a time,” said Moore-Coulombe. “We want to know them as a person, not as a patient. We know the names of their dogs and spouses…we want to know about them and what is important in their lives. It helps us treat them properly…we work to help them achieve their goals.”
Patients of the clinic were in attendance during the anniversary party. Many commended the actions of all staff members, including nurses, doctors, a social worker and maintenance workers.
“I find the atmosphere is excellent,” said Bessie Wilson, a patient at the clinic. Wilson attends the clinic three times a week and has been receiving treatment for three years. “You don’t mind coming and the nurses are all nice. It means a lot when you have to go through treatment.”
Wilson’s friend Mary Groves, who she met at the clinic agrees with her opinions wholeheartedly.
“The staff, well, these girls…I consider them my family because when you come in that door you feel like you’re home,” said Groves, a patient at the clinic for over three year. “To me they’re just like my angels walking around here; they’re so good, they’re so caring. You’re not an object, not just a patient…they go above and beyond the call of duty.”
