Reg Martsinkiw. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community leaders

Longtime P.A. chiropractor prepares for retirement

Aug 22, 2019 | 3:31 PM

A career that has spanned over five decades is coming to an end for a man who has helped give back to his community in more ways than one.

On Thursday, Reg Martsinkiw will leave for his office at Victoria Square for the final time, but like many times in the past he’ll arrive at 3:30 a.m. to review his notes for the day ahead. Martsinkiw told paNOW he will miss all his patients.

“It’s a bit emotional because I’ve had people in my office today who I have looked after for 50 years,” he said.

Martsinkiw has been practicing in Prince Albert since 1966. In addition to his work at the clinic, Martsinkiw has helped crack a number of projects in the city including the Harry Jerome track, the West Hill arena, the Kyla Art Show, and the installation of artificial ice at Kinsmen Arena.

Martsinkiw has also been a part of many boards and committees including the Optimist Club, Police Commission, Prince Albert Minor Hockey Association, and Northern Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (now the PJHL). In 2004 he was the recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for Community Work. When asked by paNOW what inspired him to do all the things he has done, Martsinkiw recalled a conversation he once had with former mayor Val Longworth.

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“He said when you live in a community, you gotta give to the community,” he said.

Martsinkiw said one of his prouder accomplishments was helping bring the Raiders to the city. He said he really enjoyed being involved with all the fans and giving everyone an opportunity to participate with the team.

“The first year we didn’t have seats, we didn’t have a public address system, we didn’t have a time clock, but we played our first game in December and we had 1,750 fans,” he said, adding when they finished the season they had 4,600 packed into the Communiplex.

Three years ago, Martsinkiw was given bad news when he was informed he had stage four prostate cancer. Martsinkiw credited his wife for saving his life through a good diet and now his prostate specific antigen is down to .08 from 42. On Monday he has been scheduled to undergo a hip replacement.

“Can you imagine three and a half years of constant pain and waking up on Tuesday with no pain,” he said.

Martsinkiw admitted the industry had changed a lot over the past 50 years, with the introduction of such practices as acupuncture.

“There’s no evidence to support stuff like that. We were really an evidence based practice at one time and we have lost it,” he said.

Looking forward to retirement Martsinkiw said he’d like to do more hunting and possibly bike one day to Waskesiu. When asked what advice he would pass on to the next generation of chiropractors, Martsinkiw said it’s important to maintain a positive continence.

“Be eager and dedicated to your profession,” he said. “The patient is always a priority.”

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell