Growing up as a member of the Métis Nation, Kate Elliott knew she wanted to help make things better for Indigenous people in her community. With that goal in her heart, she began her career as a long-term care aide, only to come face-to-face with a health care system that wasn’t meeting the needs of its Indigenous patients.
Kate was resolved to change things for the better, returning to school to earn her medical degree in 2019. Dr. Elliott spent her two-year residency caring for Indigenous patients at the Cool Aid Community Health Centre.
“I have been stunned by her energy and community service,” says Dr. Frank Nezil, Dr. Elliott’s residency supervisor. “She has exceptional empathy and compassion for her patients.” She builds a close relationship with each of her patients, taking the time to understand their history and their stories, and is committed to delivering care that addresses the root causes of their health issues, from cultural and language barriers to generational trauma.
“She helps people reach through their trauma with a gentle touch,” her colleague, Dr. Nezil, says.
Dr. Elliott is also a passionate advocate for long-term change to the health care system. She served as co-chair of the In Plain Sight Task Force, shining a light on Indigenous racism in the BC health care system and tabling 24 recommendations to overcome it.
In October 2021, Dr. Elliott started a new chapter of her medical career in partnership with Cool Aid. Bringing together local Indigenous communities, the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, health care professionals, and other partners, she is working to deliver health care and outreach that is designed for Indigenous patients and rooted in Indigenous values, principles, and relationships. “Our people cannot wait for the health system to change. There is an imperative to provide culturally appropriate care today,” she says.