Dr. Shannon Gatrell joined the Primary Eye Care Centre team in Moose Jaw in 2008, and her work here in southern Saskatchewan is being recognized with a prestigious award.
The Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists (SAO) has named Gatrell as the 2018-19 Optometrist of the Year.
The award is given to one SAO member who has contributed to advance the field of optometry in a meaningful way, and Gatrell’s work in helping to make vision care more available to rural and remote communities is what put her in the spotlight with the association.
Beginning last May, Gatrell and members of the Primary Eye Care Centre team have been traveling to a handful of First Nations reserves in the southern part of the province to provide eye care to those in need.
Gatrell began by taking her mobile clinic to Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, before expanding to also visit Cowessess First Nation and Ochapowace Cree Nation as well. She is planning on returning to each reserve at least twice a year, and more often if possible.
The mobile clinics are focusing largely on eye exams for children, as many children actually have never had their eyes checked before, although Gatrell certainly takes adult or diabetic patients, if time allows.
“There's definitely a need for it. I'd say probably about half of the kids that I've seen have not ever had their eyes checked,” said Gatrell. “It's been good to be able to provide the service right on the reserve and without the kids having to leave.”
For Gatrell, being able to offer her services in this way is extremely fulfilling. She grew up near Broadview, in the same area as Cowessess First Nation and Ochapowace Cree Nation, and so it feels like coming home to help familiar faces.
“I myself am half First Nations, my mom's side of the family is from the Ochapowace First Nation,” said Gatrell. “So with that background, it's been rewarding to be able to serve in my own community and give back.”
Gatrell is proud to be the recipient of the Optometrist of the Year award, and happy with the recognition for the work she is doing.
“It's very humbling, I wasn't expecting it at all,” said Gatrell. “It was something that I chose to do because I wanted to do it, but it's always an honor to be recognized by your peers, for those efforts.”
Gatrell is also the past recipient of two awards from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, the 2004 Circle of Honour Youth Role Model Award and the 2015 Strength of Our Women award in the Health and Wellness category.
The mobile eye care clinics will continue, and Gatrell hopes to see more optometrists consider offering their services in the same way.
“There are a lot of other reserves who have expressed interest in having me or an optometrist come out,” said Gatrell. “I can't go to every reserve myself, but hopefully, more optometrists will choose to do the same and provide services.”
