by Vicki Hogarth, CHCO-TV, Local Journalism Initiative

Grand Manan, New Brunswick - In an effort to fill the void left by the closure of Scotiabank on Grand Manan Island last summer, Lauren Martin and Mike Munro, proprietors of the island's sole pharmacy, have transformed the former bank building into the Coast Health and Wellness Clinic. Dozens of enthusiastic islanders came out on Saturday afternoon for the grand opening of the clinic, which is more than just a health center; it represents a beacon of hope for an island that has lost key services, including its only dentist, in recent years. Coast Health and Wellness Clinic aims to turn the loss of the bank into a gain for the community by offering a wide range of services.

Martin detailed the services provided at the clinic, stating, "We have manual therapies here – chiropractic, massage therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, osteopathy, reflexology. And then we have a few nursing services and extended care, so anything from pharmacy services to nursing services and infusion clinics. In 2024, we are bringing dental services back to the island. We currently have dental hygiene services, and dentists will be joining us on rotation in the New Year."

The clinic also offers spa-like treatments, including access to a sauna and a cold plunge bath.

Before the opening of Coast, islanders had to endure an hour and a half ferry ride to the mainland in recent years for many health services, resulting in entire days spent on the road, significant travel costs, and added stress for follow-up visits. The closure of Scotiabank further compounded these challenges, forcing islanders to travel to the mainland for in-person banking. However, Martin and Munro saw the empty bank building not as a setback, but as an opportunity for transformative growth for the island. They worked with the village to acquire a long-term lease for the building. 

Munro highlighted the financial benefits of their model, stating, "There's a financial incentive to try to seek care at home. So that's what we are trying to do with this model: give people the services right now – the health services and dental services – and hopefully in the future, some of the financial services, so that they don't have to take a day away, a day off work, a day with childcare, with elder care, and all of those other ancillary costs that come with it."

Martin and Munro's initiative has received overwhelming support from the community, with Martin expressing gratitude for the positive reception, saying, "It's been a very warm welcome from the community and something that we truly feel will bring a lot of value to the community. We've had some fantastic professionals and practitioners come in and utilize our space. Instead of having everyone have to take a ferry over for some of these services, we can bring a practitioner over to serve eight to 10 clients or patients here on our island."

Mayor Bonnie Morse, who helped cut the ribbon at the grand opening, shared her excitement about the prospect of having more services back on the island, stating, "During the pandemic, we lost our dentist. He closed and didn't reopen. So for us to have the potential to have dental checkups again here on the island, along with physiotherapy, counseling, and various other services, it's just a really exciting thing. The community has really rallied behind this concept. I am really excited to see a dental hygienist on Grand Manan first thing Monday morning. I think it's one of those cases where if you build it, they will come."

Despite the successful opening of the Health and Wellness Clinic, Munro and Martin's vision goes beyond healthcare. They plan to also establish a credit union inside the building in collaboration with Brunswick Credit Union, aiming to restore financial services to the island. Munro elaborated on their efforts, saying, "We've been working over the last year to see what the feasibility is of setting up a credit union. It looked like a better option and a quicker option to partner with an established credit union." Through a comprehensive needs survey, they are working to demonstrate the demand for these services, with the ultimate goal of providing personal and retail banking services, including an ATM, and potentially expanding to offer small-loan services in the future. The survey can be found on the Facebook page "Help Form a Grand Manan Credit Union."

Martin and Munro moved to the island just a few years ago to take over the reins of the island's only pharmacy. Since their arrival, they have not only embraced the island's essence but also dedicated themselves to enhancing its very fabric, eliciting an undeniable reciprocity of affection from the island community.

"We've made this community our home, and we've seen how incredible and beautiful this community is," said Martin. "And we'd like to see there be positivity and growth versus anyone thinking it's a time of decline after we lost Scotiabank."

Coast Health and Wellness Clinic not only stands as a healthcare facility but also as a symbol of islander resilience in the face of hardships, offering a brighter and healthier future for the residents of Grand Manan.