In support of Parkinson’s Disease Awareness month this April, we’re introducing the community to the members of an Okanagan Movement Disorders Clinic at Kelowna General Hospital and their work to support patients and their families navigating a Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis.  

EMPOWERING PATIENT VOICES

For someone with a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, the journey to navigate the changes they experience in their body and mind can be frustrating and daunting. But thanks to an Okanagan Movement Disorders Clinic at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH), patients and their families have access to compassionate and comprehensive care.  

Meet Meghan Chana, Registered Speech-Language Pathologist with the Okanagan Movement Disorders Clinic at KGH. Meghan helps Parkinson’s patients find their ‘voice’, and so much more.  

What made you decide to join the Movement Disorder Clinic at KGH?

I spent the first few years of my career working with children. But I recently made the transition to the team here at KGH to start working with adults in acute care and in the Movement Disorders Clinic. I am excited to be part of the Clinic team because it provides the opportunity to learn new skills, collaborate with a patient-centered team, engage in research, and provide individualized care to patients.

What is your role with the Clinic and what are your primary responsibilities?

I assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders for our patients in the Clinic. I also provide education, identify patient goals for improving communication and swallowing, and recommend strategies and exercises that help them to achieve these goals.

How does your role in the Clinic support/address some of the challenges these people face?

Many people with Parkinson’s disease face difficulties with communication including changes in their voice, speech, and cognition. Sometimes people with Parkinson’s disease tell me their loved ones need hearing aids because they are unaware that their voices are soft. Many people with Parkinson’s disease also face difficulties with swallowing which can include challenges such as coughing or choking on food, drooling, difficulty swallowing pills, and increased meal times.

My role in the Clinic allows me to evaluate and treat swallowing and communication disorders for people with Parkinson Disease. I provide exercises and recommendations to help people to express themselves effectively and to eat the foods that they enjoy safely.

As part of the Closer to home than you think campaign, the KGH Foundation has committed to raising $5 million to establish a Centre of Excellence for Brain Health at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH)—a hub for training, research, innovation and leadership in the rapidly expanding fields of neuroscience, stroke care, degenerative movement disorders, chronic pain, dementia and other related clinical focuses.
The Centre also aims to support the advancement of excellence in brain health care, bringing research closer to regional patients and providing them access to the best possible treatments and life-saving care, close to home.

What is your vision for the Centre of Excellence in Brain Health at KGH?

My vision is for the Centre to be a place where our patients can receive timely and individualized multidisciplinary care and where clinicians can feel empowered to improve their skills and to engage in research to benefit our patients.

My vision is also for the Centre to be a source of community and support for patients with Parkinson’s disease and their families.

Why do you feel the Centre, and the work you do, are important for our community?

Given projected increases in the incidence of Parkinson’s disease, the work that we do is vital for our community. Speech-language pathology services are important for improving quality of life, health, and safety for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their loved ones.

What is the most gratifying aspect of your work?

The most gratifying aspect of my work is hearing the strong, beautiful voices of my patients come out during speech therapy. I enjoy seeing the results of our patients’ hard work in therapy pay off as they achieve their goals.