Megan Arsenault receives honour
The latest person to be recognized in Étoile Santé campaign is Megan Arsenault, a bilingual medical administrative assistant at the Harbourside Health Centre in Summerside for the past year.
Arsenault, originally from St. Edward, is a graduate of Westisle Composite High School and completed the medical administrative assistant program at CompuCollege.
“I was in French immersion at school. I did my medical secretary course in English and, for eight years after that, I worked at the Summerside Animal Hospital, mostly in English,” says Arsenault.
When she saw that they were looking for a bilingual medical secretary at Harbourside Health Centre, she decided to apply.
“It’s a designated bilingual position, and I always have the little Français/English sign on my desk. I want to practise my French. I listen to the radio in French, I read in French and I have been taking evening French classes since I started working here.”
Arsenault also realizes that people hesitate to speak to her in French, so she actively offers bilingual
services.
“I know that being served in the language of their choice can make a big difference for those who have health-related questions.”
She gives the example of a young woman who was going through a difficult health situation.
“When I started talking French to her, she instantly became calmer. It was like a completely different person,” Arsenault says.