Our Stories
Michelle Elliot is a proud Métis woman and a passionate supporter of Medavie's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Her roots run deep in Saskatoon, where the 27-year-old shares her home with Doja Cat, a “feisty feline” named after the American pop star.
Unlike the typical office setting, Michelle’s workplace is a bus converted into a mobile health clinic that provides community-based care to those in need.
Michelle is a dedicated Primary Care Paramedic and licensed Community Paramedic, serving as part of Medavie Health Service-West’s innovative and collaborative Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Program.
The Saskatoon Health Bus is one of its standout initiatives and has received national recognition for its unique delivery of primary care. Staffed by paramedics and nurses, the clinic targets residents facing social, economic, cultural, or geographic barriers. Its services are free, available to anyone in need, and range from chronic disease management, wound care, and flu vaccines to blood pressure and blood glucose level checks. Residents can drop into the clinic without an appointment or medical referral, removing the barriers that often prevent vulnerable populations from accessing equitable healthcare.
“A lot of my job is accepting people where they're at in that moment, not pushing people to be different but providing compassionate and high-quality care.”
Michelle has formed special bonds with many of the clients she serves onboard the Saskatoon Health Bus, but none as memorable as the one she shares with Mary (name changed to protect her identity), a residential school survivor who was experiencing homelessness in the city’s downtown when the two first met.
Estranged from her family and a frequent victim of violence, Mary was turned away from traditional medical clinics due to her lack of a fixed address and health card.
Through the Mobile Integrated Health program, Michelle and her colleagues provided the compassionate care Mary desperately needed, including healing her foot from severe frostbite — an injury caused by a lack of housing and the absence of medical attention. Despite her challenging circumstances, Mary’s face always had a smile, matching her positive attitude, and together, she and her caregivers formed a special and enduring relationship.
“We did whatever we could to help her, meeting her where she was at, which most of the time was the street.”
Their story also has a happy ending. As of early September 2024, Mary’s foot was nearly fully healed, and she was no longer unhoused living on the street, thanks to the team that advocated for her placement in a transient housing shelter.
“I'm really honoured that she placed her trust in us and became a good friend during a difficult time in her life.”
Michelle grew up in La Ronge, a small town located four hours north of Saskatoon, nestled in the boreal forest of Saskatchewan, surrounded by several First Nations reserves.
Her introduction to emergency medical services (EMS) came from a program in high school — an experience she found so “exciting and fulfilling” that it inspired her to enroll in a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program after graduation. She began her first day on the job as a PCP on her 20th birthday.
During her three years with a rural ground ambulance service in Saskatchewan, Michelle developed a deep understanding of the non-medical factors that significantly impact her clients’ physical and mental health. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the isolation that followed took a toll on her own mental health, leading to struggles with substance use. Recognizing the need for help, she left her job and sought inpatient treatment for her addictions.
“I spent a lot of my time in recovery trying to figure out who Michelle is and out what my identity is.”
This personal journey led to an exploration of her Métis heritage, a part of her identity she hadn’t fully understood growing up.
“I didn’t learn a lot about my culture from my family, and it wasn’t something we grew up in.”
While she was under care, an Elder introduced her to beadwork, an Indigenous artistry that predates European contact. It quickly became Michelle’s favourite hobby, and she now hand crafts colourful items that she gifts to friends and family members.
“I put a lot of energy and love into beading, so that's my way of showing that love to the people around me.”
Reflecting on National Day of Truth of Reconciliation, Michelle recalls a meaningful quote: “If reconciliation is like the medicine and treatment, then Canada's national heart is the truth and the diagnosis.”
For her, this means “looking at people as a whole and not just the presenting issue.”
Michelle sees first-hand the lasting impact past traumas have had on Indigenous people she cares for and feels a deep sense of “great honour” in being able to provide barrier-free healthcare to her community.
“Acts of service have been a pillar in my recovery, so as much as I'm helping others, they're also helping me. I’m a witness to the healing of the next generation. I know that sounds very deep, but that's how I see it. It motivates me to be at work every day, and I enjoy the work I do. It's very rewarding.”
Michelle applied for her current position with Medavie Health Services West in late 2021.
“I thought my career in paramedicine was over, but when I was introduced to mobile integrated health, it reignited the passion that was always within me.”
It’s a role she feels is a better fit for her both as a professional and as a person, drawing on her lived experience to care for clients with skill, knowledge, and empathy. This role not only allows her to contribute to her clients' wellbeing but also provides her with a sense of fulfillment in her own career.
“I can empathize with people on a greater level than before. I see people as humans in a humbling way. It has changed my perspective as a paramedic.”
Michelle’s proudest achievement is her own recovery journey — a path that her Métis father initially followed to support her, only to see how it benefitted him and their entire family. Both Michelle and her father now see their shared recovery as “the legacy we leave for future generations.”
Since joining the MHS-West, Michelle has obtained a Community Paramedic license endorsement. This advanced certification expands her scope of practice to provide a wider range of primary care services to clients with diverse and complex needs.
“The social determinants of their health are just as important as their medical needs. A lot of people experiencing homelessness are struggling with mental health and addictions and having difficulty accessing care.”
Michelle attributes this in part to stigma. “Society is not gentle on people who have substance use disorders.”
The majority of Michelle’s work involves connecting clients to mental health and addictions services, treating wounds, and testing for and treating infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C. Unfortunately, many of the disease testing labs in Saskatoon are privately owned and require a health card, which prevents many of her clients from accessing these essential services.
The Saskatoon Health Bus is one of two mobile medical clinics operated by MHS-West in Saskatchewan, which plays a crucial role in bridging these gaps. The second is the Saskatoon Tribal Health Bus, which travels to seven First Nation communities offering dental services, community paramedicine, and mental health support — the first of its kind in Canada. Similar Mobile Integrated Health programs are run by Medavie across Canada, taking healthcare outside hospital walls and directly into communities and homes.
As a member of the Medavie team, Michelle is a strong advocate for Indigenous Peoples, working on Saskatoon Health Bus and championing diversity, equity and inclusion at Medavie.
“I joined the DEI strategy working group because I recognize the importance of Indigenous representation at Medavie. Truth and reconciliation as a Medavie employee means ensuring Indigenous voices are heard in operational discussions. I want to help foster a workplace that is both culturally sensitive and respectful. Education is key to reconciliation, and there's a knowledge gap we need to bridge. We need to educate paramedics about the truth and history and how they can actively contribute to reconciliation.”
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