Just 4 months after graduating from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands in 1989, Remmert Hinlopen was very determined to start a new life full of adventure in Canada. He immigrated to British Columbia in 1990.
After working for three years in the public healthcare system at Vancouver General and Chilliwack General hospitals, Remmert was ready to use his creative mind and business ambitions to start a community physiotherapy clinic. In partnership with Peter DeVette, he opened Fraser Valley Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centre in March of 1993 Remmert’s longtime dream of setting up a rehabilitation centre where healthcare professionals gave clients the best care possible while working together in an interdisciplinary team had become a reality.
When the Fraser Valley Physio clinic moved into the Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre in 2001, a wide variety of services were offered including physiotherapy, massage therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, specific rehab programs for WCB/ICBC clients, and clinical counselling.
For many years Fraser Valley Physio was the primary hub for the rehabilitation needs of the majority of Chilliwack’s citizens. Looking back, it seems Fraser Valley Physio was years ahead of the times. Now we see the BC government following an interdisciplinary model with plans to roll out several primary care centres in the communities over the next few years. They realize as Remmert did years ago, that collaborative healthcare works.
