Why Physician Assistants like Sarah Flanagan a solution to the health care crisis ?
In the heart of Kitchener Waterloo’s Refugee Health Centre, Sarah Flanagan, a dedicated Physician Assistant (PA), plays a pivotal role in providing compassionate, patient-centered care to the region's most vulnerable population—refugees. Leading the Prenatal, Postpartum, and Newborn Care Program, Sarah ensures that these families, often fleeing from trauma, displacement, and instability, receive the comprehensive care they need to thrive in their new home.
Since joining the clinic in 2016, Sarah has been a steadfast advocate for the unique health needs of refugees. Her clinic, the largest Refugee Health Centre in Ontario, serves a variety of patients, including government-assisted and privately-sponsored refugees as well as refugee claimants. With two distinct streams—initial stabilization for newly arrived refugees and ongoing care for those with complex health needs—Sarah’s role is critical in bridging the gap between immediate refugee health concerns and long-term stability.
Each day, Sarah begins her work well before patients arrive, reviewing medical reports, coordinating with midwives, and preparing for her 12-15 daily appointments. These appointments primarily focus on prenatal and well-baby care, but the unpredictability of refugee health means she often sees double the number of scheduled patients by the end of the day. As a PA, Sarah also plays a vital role in addressing urgent concerns from family members who accompany patients to the clinic, ensuring that no health issue goes unaddressed.
One of the most profound aspects of Sarah’s work is welcoming new babies into refugee families. For many of these families, the birth of a child in Canada represents newfound safety and hope—a long-awaited dream after years of uncertainty. Sarah has had the privilege of caring for over a thousand newborns, and each child is a testament to the resilience of refugee families. In fact, more than a dozen families have named their children after Sarah, a touching reminder of the impact she has made on their lives.
Sarah’s work extends beyond just newborn and prenatal care. She collaborates daily with a team of interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, from midwives and family doctors to specialists in infectious disease and hematology. Her ability to navigate complex medical and social needs ensures that refugees receive trauma-informed, culturally sensitive care that addresses both physical and mental health. In this role, Sarah exemplifies the essential contributions of PAs in Ontario’s healthcare system, particularly during a time when the province faces a primary care crisis.
Despite the current healthcare challenges, Sarah remains committed to providing timely and effective care, leveraging her extensive medical knowledge, compassionate approach, and collaboration with her team. Her dedication not only helps stabilize refugee families during their most vulnerable moments but also positions PAs like herself as a vital solution to the growing healthcare needs in Ontario. Through Sarah’s story, we see the true value of Physician Assistants in making healthcare more accessible, personalized, and humane for all.
Physician Assistants: A Solution to the Primary Care Crisis
Ontario is facing a healthcare crisis: over 2.3 million Ontarians don’t have a family physician, and wait times are growing due to staff shortages. PAs like Parastoo are a key part of the solution, bringing not just medical expertise but also a human touch to every patient interaction.
Join Us in Supporting PAs
PAs are essential to solving Ontario’s health human resource crisis. Yet, restrictive policies and lack of awareness limit their impact. CAPA urges the Ontario government to better integrate PAs into the healthcare system and unlock their full potential.
Show your support by writing to your MPP today. Help ensure that more Ontarians get the compassionate, timely care they deserve.