THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
Gisela Becker - one of two midwives in Fort Smith - will be leaving next month for a new position in Alberta after 13 years in the community.
Fort Smith midwife Gisela Becker, left, holds Greyson Catholique, and midwife Lesley Paulette, right, holds K'aiyus Paulette at a celebration of midwifery service in Fort Smith in 2010. Becker is leaving Fort Smith for a position with the provincial government in Alberta. - NNSL file photo |
She is to become the director of midwifery services with Alberta Health Services in Calgary.
"I certainly have a lot of emotions about leaving Fort Smith," she said. "It's been a wonderful time here."
However, the 50-year-old said she felt it would be good to look at one more midwifery opportunity, and she is excited about her new role in Alberta.
Her last day of work in Fort Smith will be May 10.
Her new position with the Alberta government will not involve clinical work, but will focus on providing advocacy, expertise and leadership for midwifery within Alberta Health Services.
"It's a province-wide position and basically a strategic planning position to enhance and progress midwifery in Alberta," she said.
In Alberta, midwifery has been regulated since 1998 and there are currently more than 70 midwives in the province. Since January, the province has also had a College of Midwives that licenses those in the profession.
Becker and another midwife, Lesley Paulette, developed the midwifery program at the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority.
Becker said she and Paulette have had an "incredible journey" from working as private and unregulated midwives to getting midwifery recognized, funded and legislated in the NWT to starting a midwifery program at the Fort Smith Health Centre.
That change meant more women decided to have their babies in Fort Smith instead of Yellowknife or larger centres in the south.
Becker began working as a midwife in Fort Smith in 2000. That's when she joined a private practice with Paulette, who offered private midwifery services and sometimes oversaw home births in Fort Smith from 1993 until the official program was established at the health centre seven years ago.
"Really, if Lesley hadn't taken that step to practise midwifery, I may not have come to Fort Smith," Becker said, adding Paulette was the person who kick-started regulated midwifery in the NWT.
The Fort Smith midwifery program is currently the only one in the NWT.
"Gisela was absolutely key in the development of midwifery, not only in Fort Smith but in the Northwest Territories," said Rob Tordiff, CEO of the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority, adding she is also quite well-respected on a national level.
Becker served for two years as president of the Canadian Association of Midwives.
She now has an exciting opportunity to move on to
Alberta and contribute to the development of midwifery in that province, Tordiff said.
"Of course, it's our loss."
The health authority CEO said recruiting is underway to staff the position that will become open with Becker's departure.
Jessica Cox, a mother of two who was helped by Becker with prenatal and postnatal care, said she was very proud upon hearing of the position Becker will take on with the Alberta government.
"But I'm also very, very sad to see her leaving the community," Cox said, adding Becker has provided outstanding midwifery services to Fort Smith.
A community farewell is being organized for Becker. It will be a potluck supper beginning at 6 p.m. on May 10 at the rec centre.
