Patricia McParland is a great addition to the Westport Lions Club.
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
The Westport Lions Club is pleased to welcome Patricia McParland, a retired health care manager for the Yukon government, as a new member. Patricia was looking for a way to give back to her community after retiring, and she felt that the Westport Lions Club would be a good fit for her. She attended at least three general meetings as required of all new Lions Club members and enjoyed the social interaction with the friendly members.
Patricia has a wealth of experience as a nurse, teacher, and administrator, and has proven communication and organizational skills. She is passionate about getting involved and has taken the lead in church projects since returning home.
Lion Patricia grew up on a farm located beside Little Crosby Lake with her three sisters. She attended St. Edward Catholic School and Rideau District High School and then completed the nursing program at St. Lawrence College in Brockville. After working at the Ottawa Civic Hospital in the emergency unit, she decided to attend Lakehead University in Thunder Bay to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, specializing in aero-medical.
Patricia had to complete a three-month placement anywhere in Canada to meet the final requirements of obtaining her nursing degree. She had always been fascinated with the north, so she packed her bags and headed for Whitehorse in the Yukon.
Patricia started her career in the north as an air ambulance nurse. To better prepare herself for her job, she took numerous courses such as Primary Care Paramedic and completed various certificates in nursing specialties, such as Flight Medicine. Conducting emergency first aid in the air presents a whole host of additional considerations caused by changes in air pressure and other variables.
In time, Patricia became the coordinator of Whitehorse’s ambulance service – both ground and air ambulance operations. She implemented many improvements to the EMS service in the Yukon, such as offering additional specialized training and safety procedures for the nurses, physicians, and paramedics within the Yukon Territory.
In addition to her role as supervisor to paramedics and EMS volunteers, Patricia was a co-ordinator of training and was the primary educator for nurses, fire departments and paramedics, in Whitehorse and for volunteers within the Yukon. Since Whitehorse lies in an earthquake and flood zone, she conducted simulations for these possible natural disasters.
Patricia has not slowed down in retirement. She is an instructor for the Red Cross teaching an advanced first aid course for paramedics, a CPR instructor and teaches people how to use the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Starting in June, Patricia will be working two days a week with nursing students in the practicum section of their course. When she has time, Patricia is casual help in the emergency room at the Smiths Falls and Perth Hospitals.
Other than her nursing commitments, Patricia looks after the family farm, enjoys hiking and gardening and she plans to visit the Yukon this fall. Lion Patricia has recently volunteered to be secretary of the Catholic Women’s League and the Joint Pastoral Council for the local Catholic parishes. Last year, she was chairperson of St. Edward’s 175-anniversary celebrations.
Patricia spent 25 years in the Yukon and misses the beauty of the Arctic. Although it was tough for her to get rid of her Yukon license plate, she is happy to be home now. She believes that “home is home.”
Westport Lions Club 