Coming Home and Helping Move Healthcare Forward
Dr. Chelsey Topping
The Canmore Hospital Foundation is delighted to welcome Dr. Chelsey Topping, an Obstetrician-Gynecologist at Canmore General Hospital, to our Board of Directors.
For Dr. Topping, joining the Board is another part of coming home. Born in the Bow Valley, she moved away when she was young and spent more than eight years practising medicine in Lethbridge. When a position opened at Canmore General Hospital, and with her mother already back in the area, the chance to return felt especially meaningful.
“I thought, what a great opportunity to come back to the Bow Valley,” she said.
Since returning in December 2022, Dr. Topping has been struck by the hospital’s willingness to grow and improve. “What has been really impressive is the motivation for change and improvement, both from the Foundation side and the hospital side, and how people work collaboratively to bring that change forward.”
She has seen that collaboration make a difference. When she arrived, the hospital was operating only one operating room each day. The surgical program has since expanded, adding operating room days and helping patients from Canmore, surrounding communities and Calgary access certain procedures sooner. For women who need gynecological surgery, that can mean a shorter path from referral to consultation and treatment.
Moving women’s health forward
Throughout her career, Dr. Topping has seen how gaps in research, education and access affect women seeking care. Pelvic pain and endometriosis are two examples. Patients may spend years looking for answers.
“Women’s health has been an underserved and under-researched area for such a long time,” she said. “For endometriosis, the time from symptoms to diagnosis or treatment can be seven years.”
Improving that experience takes more than surgical capacity. Dr. Topping wants primary care providers to have the knowledge to validate symptoms, begin treatment, order appropriate investigations and make timely referrals. She also wants women to feel comfortable talking about their health and confident that they will be heard.
“I hope there continues to be more and more awareness around women’s health, and that it becomes part of everyday discussion,” she said. “I hope it remains a major focus for continued improvement and isn’t brushed to the side.”
Seeing what community support can do
(Left, Jon Othlius-CHF Treasurer, Middle Dr. Chelsey Topping, Right, Brett Oud-Interim Co-Site Lead and ED Charge Nurse)
Soon after joining the hospital, Dr. Topping began noticing the Foundation’s impact in renovated spaces, new equipment and the stories staff shared about improvements made possible by donors. The renovation of the labour and delivery rooms stood out to her.
“I would ask questions and hear the stories: ‘We have this because the Foundation helped us, and we’ve been able to improve care because of it.’ I thought that was so cool.”
Her connection with the Foundation grew through the Sisterhood Summit, an event focused on advancing conversations and action around women’s health in the Bow Valley. Getting involved was a natural fit. When the opportunity to join the Board followed, she said, “It was an easy yes.”
Working inside the hospital gives Dr. Topping a close view of how community support affects care. Donor-funded equipment can help teams detect health concerns earlier, perform procedures and care for more people closer to home. She points to colonoscopy equipment as one example: better screening can help identify concerns earlier and potentially prevent colon cancer.
She also knows the need for philanthropic support can surprise people. “When you’re going through training, you don’t realize how much hospitals need that support so they can continue to upgrade and function,” she said.
As a Board member, Dr. Topping looks forward to connecting the needs she sees inside the hospital with the community ready to help meet them. She hopes to see continued progress in women’s health, the surgical program, operating rooms and medical device reprocessing facilities.
Her return to the Bow Valley has given her the chance to care for the community where she grew up. Joining the Board gives her another way to contribute to its future.
“Even though we’re a busy tourist town, we’re still a strong community, and we support each other,” she said. “When we support each other’s health, we continue to grow as a community.”
We’re honoured to welcome Dr. Topping to the Board and excited to work alongside her to strengthen care throughout the Bow Valley.
