Since June 2020, Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) has offered health care to residents of Renfrew-Collingwood through RISE Community Health Centre. Using a team-based approach that recognizes the social determinants of health, RISE operates a primary care clinic and not-for-profit pharmacy. Additional services include harm reduction, community development and health promotion.
We share some highlights from staff about their experiences working with RISE and what makes it different from traditional healthcare providers.
Meet Munira, RISE registered nurse
Nearly three years ago, Munira Rupani started working at RISE Community Health Centre as a medical office assistant. In April 2024, she transitioned into a role as a registered nurse.
What brought you to RISE?
“I was new to Canada. I came here in 2021. I was looking for jobs and then I found this opportunity. It’s actually so far from my home but I really like it so I started working here in 2022. The environment, people and my passion for helping others brought me here, and I’m still attached to RISE for that.”
Tell us more about what you like about working here.
“The primary healthcare. When I was back home, I didn’t have any experience working in primary healthcare, so I learned how primary healthcare works at RISE and how we can help people so they don’t end up going to the hospital. We treat people here with the maximum we can do and refer patients to different clinics for different purposes. We do pregnancy tests here, STI management here, many kinds of bloodwork, many kinds of urine tests, and many, many more things. It’s holistic care for patients.”
What makes RISE different or unique from other healthcare settings you’ve worked in?
“RISE is unique in that the environment is really friendly. It’s focused towards patient care and the well-being of the staff so I never feel overwhelmed. I always have a support system here. If I’m stuck on something, I know someone will help me. I love to take challenges because I know that if I get stuck, people will help me out. Yeah, so the support system and patient-centred care, which inspires me to work here, and makes it unique.”
Can you talk more about patient-centred care? What benefits do you see in that?
“So many people who have come here, in my three years of experience, are new immigrants or refugees to Canada. They have to set up a housing support system and health care, which is hard to navigate nowadays. RISE is like a holistic care for them, so from their housing to their food, schooling, healthcare and everything else, they can get information or support through RISE.
“If we can’t treat a client, we can assist them and refer them to another program, so they have peace of mind.”
Who should apply to work at RISE?
“Everyone is so passionate and has a non-biased approach. So, like open-minded people. We care for people who are drug users and we treat patients with STIs, for example, so the person applying should not be biased.
Anything else people should know about working here?
“RISE is a very nice place to work and the people are so nice. I said it before that everyone is so supportive. This was my first job in Canada but I have never felt like I’m the odd one out. I always felt like a family here.
“I know that if I ask for any kind of help or support, they will support me. And I passed my nursing exam while working here, so my manager, my director, everyone was so supportive, and they encouraged me to take the exam. They helped me a lot in getting my license here. Yeah, so they were so supportive. It always feels like family.”
Learn more about career opportunities at RISE Community Health Centre at cnh.bc.ca/careers.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.