Champlain Rehab Solutions celebrated its 20th anniversary in June 2024, marking two decades of dedicated service to the Ottawa community. VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) operates as Champlain Rehab Solutions (CRS) in the Greater Ottawa area, and the CRS team providing much-needed rehabilitation services to individuals across this region. Established in 2004, CRS has grown and evolved, consistently delivering high-quality care and support thanks to the commitment and hard work of the entire team. To mark this 20- year milestone, a few team members who have been with CRS from the beginning shared their reflections with us.

A Look Back at the Early Days

Heather Provick, Rehab Coordinator at CRS, recalls the early days and various changes since then. “We became part of VHA when VHA acquired COTA Health’s rehab services, so for some of us, we have worked with COTA and COTA Health, VHA Rehab Solutions and now Champlain Rehab Solutions.”

Heather highlights the evolution of technology and processes over the years. “We used to receive all referrals and updates by fax…and some providers had pagers instead of cell phones. There have been a lot of technology updates and improvements since then. Through all the changes, the core mission of CRS has remained the same: providing the best service and support possible to clients and families to help them achieve greater independence.”

Reflecting on Two Decades of Service

Duc Tu, CRS Physiotherapist (PT), highlights one of the benefits of working in home care and receiving homecare services, “What I like most about my work is the flexibility. I can schedule my own clients and work when it is convenient for me and my clients.”

Isabelle Demers, Occupational Therapist (OT) at CRS, shares similar sentiments. “Twenty years seems like a long time, but it goes by very fast. When I started 20 years ago, I had just moved to Ottawa. Being a homecare OT helped me discover the city, visiting clients in different areas. I’ve had the autonomy and flexibility to control my workload with a great collaborative team.”

Isabelle also appreciates the diversity and challenges that come with her role. “Every door I walk in offers me a different person, perspective, and situation…As an OT, we have this innate need to want to help people, so we sometimes have to advocate for our clients and their needs, but we also have to be realistic and sometimes that means having difficult discussions…”

The Heart of CRS: Its People & Supportive Environment

Heather also noted the benefit of CRS’ supportive nature and the sense of community within the team. “The bottom line is that the people make the difference.” With many work friends, excellent managers, and leaders, Heather notes that the team’s support has had a tremendous impact. Similarly, Duc emphasizes the importance of the team’s support and the positive impact it has had on both clients and staff. “I love the staff in Ottawa, from healthcare providers to office staff and management. They make CRS a great place to work.”

An Evolving Workplace & Looking Ahead

“I feel valued for the strengths I bring and am supported in the areas where I need to improve. My input into the barriers or obstacles that I encounter is heard: the remedies might not be immediate or even within our ability to modify, but I am heard,” adds Heather.

She also notes the continuous improvement and adaptation within CRS. She has seen many changes since 2004 and values the team’s flexible approach with client care at the centre. We need to be “ready to pivot because things can change in an instant. We always find a way to provide service.”

As Champlain Rehab Solutions celebrates their 20th anniversary, the team looks forward to continuing its mission of providing high-quality, client-centred care. The experience and memories shared by Isabelle Demers, Duc Tu, and Heather Provick highlight the dedication, resilience, and compassion that define CRS.

Happy 20th Anniversary, Champlain Rehab Solutions! Here’s to many more years of caring and supporting the greater Ottawa area with the same passion and dedication.