Social Paediatrics in Saskatoon in Association with St. Mary's

The programs empower the local community to support their children. The local
community cannot do everything on their own and are a major piece of the overall
solution. They become part of the team versus an entity that cannot solve the
'problem."
Teachers and other educational staff (i.e. Caretakers and Educational Assistants) know
their primary purpose is to teach students. Unfortunately there are many other factors
which impede student success. Teachers and other staff cannot be the experts in all
areas. The staff I worked with welcomed other professionals into the school with open
arms. This made their lives easier and allowed them to teach students. Working as a
team allowed success for the student and often family. “
- Darryl Bazylak, former Principal St. Mary’s Community School
“As a school social worker, I have had countless opportunities to work very closely with
Dr. Mehtar and the staff at the St. Mary’s paediatric clinic. Dr. Mehtar and the staff have
been pillars of support for numerous families that have accessed the health clinic. Dr.
Mehtar and the staff of the clinic are readily available to talk with parents and care givers
as well as attend school based meetings to educate the school personnel of the best
strategies for working with a particular patient with specific needs. The St. Mary’s clinic
is a caring, understanding, nonjudgmental environment that allows vulnerable families a
feeling of comfort and safety when obtaining medical treatment. The doctors at the St.
Mary’s paediatric clinic are very thorough, making patients feel very satisfied with the
level of care they receive. St. Mary’s paediatric clinic has proven to play a vital role in
supporting children’s education and healthy childhood development.”
- Kim Troesch - School Social Worker, Father Vachon School, Early Intervention
Classroom, St Maria Goretti Community School, Bishop James Mahoney School
“I am writing in support of the services provided by Dr. M. Mehtar and her staff at the
Pediatric Clinic. I have worked with the clinic for 4 years and have found the service to
be invaluable for the parents and children in the schools that I work with. Many parents
in community schools have difficulty getting adequate medical services for their children
or are intimidated by physicians and avoid medical attention for their children. However
I have not had any parents or children who have not felt extremely comfortable going to
see the staff at the clinic. In fact they are so happy with the knowledgeable and respectful
services that they feel valued and able to take charge over their children’s best interests.
The students that are seen at the clinic all want to go see Dr. Mehtar and her staff. They
mention them by name. The result has been many more families access the services of a
paediatrician and also a trained psychologist.
© Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division 2011 48