Donna Turner with the A. Les McDonald Award. (Submitted Photo/Donna Turner)

By Jaryn Vecchio

National Recognition

Sask. respiratory therapist receives national award

Nov 27, 2023 | 1:00 PM

A semi-retired respiratory therapist in Prince Albert was recently presented with a prestigious award.

Last week, Donna Turner was given the A. Les McDonald Award at the recent Canadian Network for Respiratory Care (CNRC) conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.

It’s given to a healthcare professional who’s made an outstanding contribution to respiratory care and education.

“It was just my job. I loved it, I love it still, and the fact someone wants to honour that is humbling,” said Turner.

She was told before the conference that she was nominated. Despite this, there was some concern she wouldn’t attend due to being semi-retired which would have forced the CNRC to ruin the surprise to get her to come.

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However, Turner said they lucked out as she had family in the area and decided she’d use the trip as an excuse to see them. Once she arrived, she joked that it didn’t take long for her to realize that she would receive the award.

“I knew there was a possibility, but I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t until I got there and (saw that) a friend of mine who had nominated me was also there and she was very dressed up that day,” Turner said with a laugh.

Originally from Saskatoon, Turner has called Prince Albert home for around 37 years. She moved to the community back in 1986 to start her career.

When Turner decided she wanted to go into the healthcare sector, respiratory therapy was not on her list of potential fields she wanted to specialize in. However, once she was introduced there was no turning back.

“Helping people when they’re sick and helping them when they’re getting better… I was just hooked.”

Her passion only grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus also showed just how important respiratory therapy is as they were one of the specialists on the frontline.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow