In many rural settings, access to healthcare can be a challenge. Tatla residents, however, benefit from years of community advocacy for rural health services.  

For a complete listing of local services and businesses, please see the Directory →

healthcare

Our dynamic team of healthcare providers practise from the local health clinic at Tatla Lake and travel to neighbouring communities.

WEST CHILCOTIN HEALTH CENTRe

Clinic Hours:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(except statutory holidays)

Emergency Services 24 hours/day; 7 days/week

Address:
16452 Highway 20
Tatla Lake, BC V0L 1V0

Ph: (250) 476-1114
 

DR. Robert Coetzee, Family Medicine

Dr. Rob is a born and bred South African, but has spent the past 3 decades living and working abroad. He attended medical school in Johannesburg after several careers as a professional diver and paramedic. Cumulatively, he's lived and worked in 6 continents, with his last posting as part of the 52nd South African National Antarctic Expedition.

Dr. Rob arrived in Canada in May 2014 and quickly met a wonderful Canadian to share his life with, and together with their two dogs and two cats have a lovely home on Horn Lake.

RUTH KUEL-VENN, NURSE Manager

Ruth's official title is Nurse Manager. Unofficial titles are Nanny, Psychologist, Social Worker, Sanitation Engineer, Laundress, Form Filler, Veterinarian.  Ruth obtained a Bachelor of Nursing Science at Queen’s University, and a certificate in Advanced Practical Obstetrics at the University of Alberta. She also has ACLS, BTLS, CPR, and Neonatal Resuscitation credentials. During Ruth's  35 years as an outpost nurse she has worked in several First Nations communities, and isolated communities accessible only by plane. She came to Tatla Lake in 1992. Ruth likes the wide open spaces and the sense of community in the Chilcotin that doesn’t exist in the big cities. She's comfortable working in this type of environment, even though she never knows what may be coming through the door.  

PATRICE GORDON, Family NURSE Practitioner

Patrice was born and raised in the West Kootenays, then lived and worked in Canada and internationally as a high altitude medic/guide, sailing expedition medic and nurse before spending most of the last decade providing medical care in the Chilcotin. As a mobile Family Nurse Practitioner, Patrice travels to eight communities between Toosey and Anahim Lake. She has a passion for humanitarian work and as a medical delegate for the Canadian Red Cross Emergency Response Team, Patrice responds to natural disasters around the world, most recently to Sierra Leone for the Ebola crisis and to Nepal following the earthquakes. Patrice has 3 grown sons and currently resides with her partner, Rob Coetzee, and their furry family on Horn Lake.

Lisa Hartwick, registered clinical counsellor

Lisa brings 18 years of experience as a therapist in multiple settings and locations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Medicine (OT) from the Faculty of Medicine at UBC, and a Masters of Counselling in Transpersonal Psychology from Naropa University in Colorado, plus professional training in Gestalt, Focusing, EMDR and other body oriented depth approaches and neurobiology. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC, and a qualified service provider for Residential School Counselling and Victim Services, she is honoured to be a community therapist for the Tsilhqot’in people, and to serve her home community in Tatla Lake.

bryn thompson, physiotherapist

Bryn Thompson is a physiotherapist who did his training at UBC Faculty of Medicine. After graduation he did extensive training in manual and manipulative therapy as well as myofascial release. Bryn's clientele includes national team athletes and professional dancers, musicians and high level corporate executives, ranchers and foresters, and kids young and old. He has a passion for his work and seeks to get to the source of the problem. Currently, Bryn has practices in three of the six Tsilhqot’in nations as well as Tatla Lake and Williams Lake. He loves opportunities to get into the wilderness with his wife and 3 boys.

wellness

A growing community of wellness practitioners facilitate various workshops, in movement and other alternative therapies through guest teachers and visiting therapists.

audra peterson, wellness practitioner

Audra grew up in Tatlayoko Lake, then went on to Ireland where she trained with the Northern Institute of Physical Therapy and the Yoga Training Therapy Centre. Her training includes Sports Injury Therapy, Remedial Therapy Massage, Indian Head Massage, Relaxation Massage using Aromatherapy, Herbal Oils and aspects of Quantum Touch. She received her teaching degree, taught biology at Secondary and University level, and had her own clinic in Ireland for 15 years before moving back to BC in 2013. Now, back in the place where she was raised, Audra has re-established her bond with friends, family, and the beauty of this special valley. Audra provides a variety of wellness therapies and uses knowledge in the therapeutic use of plants to make soaps and creams.