Success stories

Lynda Cayer – Putting down firm roots in the Gatineau Valley

96, Kichi Mikan, M

aniwaki (Québec) J9E 3B1

Even though her post-secondary schooling took her out of the Gatineau Valley and despite the fact she had to work in the US first, physiotherapist Lynda Cayer had only one idea in mind, and that was to return to her stamping grounds, the Algonquin community of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.

She successfully completed her education at the Cégep de l’Outaouais and at the University of Ottawa. After receiving her physiotherapy degree in 1997, she had to begin her career in the US where she spent two and a half years.

“I applied to various different places in the region, but there were no openings for me. Private clinics were in their infancy. Recruiters from the US came to the university to tell us about opportunities that were available. I accepted a position, and after completing my commitments south of the border, it was clear I wanted to come back home to work and settle in the Gatineau Valley.”

Mere steps away from the southern entrance to Maniwaki

When she returned, she quickly landed a job at the Clinique de physiothérapie Pauline Rowell in Messines right near Maniwaki. She worked there a year before founding the Clinique de physiothérapie Lynda Cayer in 2001 in the Algonquin community mere steps away from the southern entrance to Maniwaki

“I knew I wouldn’t be living in the United States indefinitely, and I always nurtured the dream of opening my clinic. One year after Ms. Rowell hired me, I took the big leap, and when I left, she kindly proposed that I take my customers with me, and all of them followed me.”

PHYSIOTHERAPIST AND BUSINESS WOMAN

I do make it a point to provide quality service, which has been my philosophy for 24 years

She has been fully booked since day one back in 2001. “Yes, I’m in business, but I’m first and foremost someone who offers private care services. The administrative side of things isn’t too complicated, because I don’t have to manage an inventory. I do make it a point to provide quality service, which has been my philosophy for 24 years,” said Lynda Cayer, who is also specialized in musculoskeletal orthopedics.

After renting for nine years, Lynda Cayer decided to buy her own building in 2010. It is far bigger and located very close to the one she was renting in order to accommodate her clients. Sandy Lafrenière, a physiotherapy technologist, has accompanied her since 2001.

SHE HAS BEEN FULLY BOOKED SINCE DAY ONE

The environment is exceptional with all of the lakes and nature in the area

Lynda Cayer’s patients come from all over the Gatineau Valley. Some who have moved to Abitibi or to urban Outaouais still drive in for a consultation. Her close-knit clientele is her pride and joy. That is also one advantage of being in a small region where people can get to know one another and to take the time to personalize the care she provides.

She says that her decision to return to the Gatineau Valley to live and go into business is the best one she ever made. “In the Gatineau Valley, there’s less stress, no traffic, the cost of living is less, people are closer to one another and there’s less individualism. The environment is exceptional with all of the lakes and nature in the area. Employment opportunities are excellent in many fields.”