The same week he celebrated his 90th birthday, Dr. Chandy Jacob was invited to the legislature in Winnipeg for a moment of recognition that many would agree is well-deserved.
The invitation came from Morden-Winkler MLA Carrie Hiebert, who wanted to celebrate his decades of service and impact in the region.
“I was able to bring a private member statement forward in the legislature in front of all of my colleagues … just to honour Dr. Jacob and all the things that he’s done for our community over the years,” she said.
An ‘integral part of our healthcare’
Hiebert explained that a private member statement gives MLAs two minutes to recognize a person, organization, or issue that is important to their constituency.
For her, Dr. Jacob was a natural choice.
“[He] has been an integral part of our health care at our hospital, Boundary Trails Health Centre,” she said.
“He was the one who actually spearheaded the idea of regional health care because his goal was to keep patients home and not have to drive to Winnipeg for health care. That’s a big part of why we have so many services in our area right now.”
Dr. Chandy Jacob was celebrated alongside 20 friends and family members. Submitted photo.
‘He chose Winkler’
For Hiebert, Dr. Jacob’s many contributions to the region also reflect his commitment to the community he has called home for nearly six decades.
She noted that he had no shortage of options when deciding where to build his career.
“He’s got amazing friends and he could have practiced anywhere in the province or in Canada and he chose Winkler to do his surgical practice and to come and just take care of us here in our community,” she said.
“I think that’s something special.”
Celebrated surrounded by friends and family
As for the acknowledgment at the legislature, Hiebert said Dr. Jacob was accompanied by 20 guests, including family and friends, among them healthcare professionals from the area.
“They went and celebrated with a big fancy lunch after as well,” she said.
“I think it was definitely a celebration for him, and it was really nice to see.”
Hiebert added that while two minutes wasn’t nearly enough time to capture the full extent of Dr. Jacob’s impact, the most meaningful part of the experience was the response from her fellow MLAs.
It was overwhelming.
“To see … all of my colleagues that represent the whole province of Manitoba stand and give him that ovation and that applause and recognition, I think that was the biggest part,” she said.
“I could just see in his eyes that really meant a lot, and I’m so happy that could happen for him.”
She continued that the occasion also represented the Pembina Valley well.
“[It shone a light on the] Boundary Trails Health Centre and all of the amazing frontline staff that we have and how much effort and time they put into taking care of our loved ones in our community,” she said.
“To just recognize the medical community and what they do for us, this is part of that, for sure.”
A move to Winkler in 1968
As for how Dr. Jacob felt about the recognition, he said he appreciated everything from the standing ovation to Premier Wab Kinew wishing him a happy birthday.
“I was glad some of my friends could come there, and we enjoyed the whole event,” he said.
Dr. Jacob’s work in the community began in 1968, when he moved to Winkler as the region’s first qualified surgeon.
In those early years, he helped lay the foundation for what he describes as “a good surgical program that helped serve the people in this whole area.”
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He was also on the front lines of expanding services in areas such as gynecology and orthopedics before advocating for a regional health-care facility.
Those efforts ultimately helped lay the foundation for the Boundary Trails Health Centre, which continues to provide a broad range of health-care services closer to home for rural residents.
For him, supporting rural care has always been both a priority and a passion.
“I am from a rural area originally, and I preferred the rural type of living, and that led to coming to this area, and more importantly, staying in this area,” he said.
“Some people thought I’d come here and move out, but I stayed in this area and improved the services in different areas and finally fought for a regional centre.”
Still making a difference
Although Dr. Jacob said he is happy to have been part of the region’s significant advances in health care over the years, he believes there is still work to be done, including expanding services and improving access to care.
Even at 90 years old, he remains part of that effort, not only advocating for change but still practising himself.
That dedication is something Hiebert continues to witness firsthand.
“Actually, at 90 years old, he and I still have had meetings in my office, and he’s still advocating for health care and for bringing things closer to home for us as patients and community,” she said.
Dr. Jacob was honoured at the legislature the same week he celebrated his 90th birthday. Submitted photo.
For her and many others, that dedication also defines who Dr. Jacob is.
“Growing up as a young girl, I don’t think there was a Sunday afternoon faspa that we weren’t sitting around the table with friends and family visiting and that somebody hadn’t talked about what Dr. Jacob had done or was doing,” she said.
“It’s just something that we’ve always known and talked about throughout the 60 years that he’s been here, so it was a really big opportunity for our community to honour him.”
The doctor’s view on the matter is that as long as he can, he will.
“As long as I’m healthy, and my hands don’t shake, and my brain is working, I think I get to continue getting involved in a small way if it helps serve the people,” he said.
With files from Robyn Wiebe