Cree Physician Dr. Kevin Brousseau Encourages Eeyou Youth to go into Medicine

March 20, 2023

Dr. Kevin Brousseau is the second Cree physician to work at the CBHSSJB taking care of his own people. He shares his journey into medicine and encourages the young people of Eeyou Istchee to join him in the profession.

Dr. Brousseau standing outside Oujé-Bougoumou Healing Lodge

Video: Dr. Brousseau explains why he became a physician

Video transcript

What attracted you to the medical profession?

It's a tough question in the sense that I'm kind of late to the game. I actually, you know, started medical school in my mid 30s. But it's, in fact something that I had considered when I was in high school. So it's interesting how things come around. And eventually, I was always attracted to scientific ideas.

As a child, I remember telling people when I was a little boy that I wanted to be a scientist, not really knowing what that meant. And eventually realised that I can learn about science and also be in a position to help people. And so I kind of was unsure between being a veterinarian actually and a physician at some point, because I loved animals so much as a child.

So I think it's that combination of, you know, having to acquire this scientific knowledge and being able to use this kind of knowledge to actually help people who are you know, acutely sick or who may be dealing with long term conditions, just being in a position to help them or guide them through, through through that is what attracted me to this career.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You are the only physician on duty at the CMC in Oujé-Bougoumou. How do you manage?

I have to say I don't manage alone. I have a great team. We have a large team of nurses that allows me to do what I need to do as a physician. We support each other a lot.

We have teams dedicated to the health of children and pregnant women, the health of elders and to the health of youth, and we also have nurses who work in a semi-emergency/emergency capacity that we call Current Services.

I'm very lucky to have such a supportive team and without them I don't think I would be managing as easily.

What do you love about your work?

I love the fact that I am able to make a difference in some people's lives. It really feels good to be able to come to work in the morning and feel that I'm able to help people, to be able to see that people's health improves as we work together, to formulate plans for their health and for addressing conditions they might be dealing with.

I also really love working with children. I get to see them when they're very young, and to follow them throughout their lives is a blessing. It's a really nice aspect of this job.

"Go for it! There is a lot of need, and our people appreciate being served by people from home communities."

What attracted you to the medical profession?

It’s a tough question. I’m late to the game. I started medical school in my mid-30s. But it’s something I thought about in high school. I was always attracted to scientific ideas as a child. I remember telling people I wanted to be a scientist without really understanding what that meant.

Eventually, I realized that I could learn about science and be a physician to help people. It was that combination of having to acquire scientific knowledge and use it to help people who are acutely sick, and being able to guide them through, that attracted me to this career.

What would you tell a young Cree person who's thinking of going into healthcare?

Go for it! There is a lot of need, and our people appreciate being served by people from home communities. You know, I think this is something that's universal: people like to be able to speak their languages when they're being treated by a physician or a nurse, whether you're in Montreal and you’re an immigrant family being treated by a physician who speaks your language or in Eeyou Istchee. It's the same in Cree communities, elderly people who may only speak Cree are excited when they can come and sit with me and speak Cree.

Speaking Cree is a great asset. But beyond that, just being part of the community. People recognize that. And it's a very rewarding career. So, I strongly encourage you to follow your dreams.