Dr. Nicoelle Wanner has been coming to Medicine Hat College for as long as she can remember.

She recalls following big footprints through the hallways when she attended early learning programs as a child, singing with the Medicine Hat College Girls’ Choir as a teen, and studying in the cafeteria for high school finals as a future college student.

When the time came to start her post-secondary education, the decision was a no brainer.

“I could have moved away to another city or another university, but that was never really high on my priority list. I knew that I could get a very good education here with the added logical benefits of saving money and smaller class sizes.  

The college gave me the education and training I needed, in the environment that I needed at that time of my life. I didn’t have to sacrifice anything by staying here.”

Dr. Wanner finished her medical degree at the University of Alberta and returned to Medicine Hat for her Family Medicine residency. With strong roots in the community, she stayed to establish her medical practice, started her family and began building the life she wanted to have.

in 2014, Dr. Wanner came full circle as she returned to MHC, this time as a physician in the campus medical clinic.  As she continues to learn new things about the college, see her former instructors in the halls, and connect with students through the clinic, her own MHC days don’t seem so long ago.

“In a way, I see myself in so many of the students that come to see me. I know they just want to get to where they’re going, but I want to tell them to sit back and take their time.

Enjoy the ride – you’re going to get there eventually if that’s where you’re meant to be.  It worked out for me.”