The 7East Neurosciences Unit wears their Canadian spirit proudly. Standing left to right: Cindy Hartley, Sandra Broughton, Colleen Van-Hooft, Karen Kosch, Vesta Ghanavati, Katherine MacDonald and Lee-Anne Appleton. Kneeling left to right: Lynda Kingsley and Sandra Turner.

When asked what her fondest memory is of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Leanne Appleton says it was having the opportunity and experience to work with a diverse team that truly had “can-do” approach.

“It definitely was working with the incredible medical services team that came from across Canada,” says the director of acute services at Lions Gate Hospital (LGH). “But I also remember the spirit of the elite athlete, especially the incredible talent and perseverance of the paralympic athlete – it was an incredible experience.”

Keeping the flame alive

Four years later, just as the Sochi Olympics were commencing in Russia, Leanne wanted to continue that spirit and passion at LGH by holding a celebratory torch relay at the North Vancouver hospital.

“The true spirit of the games is about courage and overcoming adversity and giving your best ever day,” she says. “I kept that spirit with me and so I brought the torch in to get into that Olympic spirit. There are a lot of parallels to what our team does here every day for our patients – we’re always giving our best.”

During the 2010 games, Leanne was one of at least 50 VCH and PHC staff working within the Whistler Polyclinic and Mobile Medical Unit (MMU), providing medical services to athletes, coaches and all of the Olympic and Paralympic family. One of those who worked with Leanne on the planning and implementation of services was Dr. Ross Brown, co-senior medical director of medical administration for Coastal Community of Care.

“My best memory of the Olympics and Paralympic Games was working with such a great team in the clinics and mobile medical unit,” he says. “I think the team performed incredibly well. The feedback from the International Olympic Committee, the athletes and families, and our own team members was very positive.  That was very rewarding.”

Mauro Gazzola sprints to the finish line.

Still mobile

BC’s MMU is now operated by PHSA and is integrated with business continuity for hospital renovations, large scale emergency and disaster relief, mass-gathering support and medical education throughout BC and is accessible to the six health authorities and Ministry of Health. It has been deployed 30 times since its first use at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more go to www.bcmmu.ca.