Moose Jaw police investigate health centre after concerns about American woman mistreated

The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) is investigating a private wellness centre after the Saskatchewan NDP claimed a patient was mistreated.

The concerns stem from an American citizen who moved to Moose Jaw to seek help for treating her amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) from the Dr. Goodenowe Restorative Health Center, according to an investigation from CBC.

The 70-year-old woman paid the centre $84,000 USD for its services.

After receiving a letter from NDP MLA Jared Clarke who shared concerns about “potential criminal activity” involving the local business, MJPS told CTV News it has began an investigation.

“An initial search of our records management systems indicated that no previous complaints or active investigations have been received in relation to the business in question. As such, the Moose Jaw Police Service will be directing resources to investigate these allegations,” a statement from the service read.

“As this is now an active investigation, the MJPS will not be providing any further comment at this time.”

At the legislative building on Tuesday, Clarke urged the Government of Saskatchewan to “regulate” the Goodenowe Center after learning the woman died following weeks after she sought treatment there.

“This is not health care. This is inhumane,” Clarke told media. “The minister said there was nothing he could do about it. I think there’s a lot he could do about it. This should not be happening in Saskatchewan.”

Clarke added because the centre is not a medical officiated facility, its services should be reviewed by the government.

“There is ‘health center’ written on the side of the building. People are expecting health care is being delivered in this facility when they show up,” Clarke said.

“ALS patients aren’t showing up because they need a room to live in. There is an expectation that they are receiving care here. There is an expectation that the government is regulating health care in this province.”

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In response, Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said he would advise the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) to look into the concerns, as well as the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA).

“As all of us interact with private businesses around the province, when we’re promised a particular good or service by a private business and the resulting good of service may not commensurate with what we’ve been promised, that’s where the FCAA has some jurisdiction. That’s why we’ve directed them to take a closer look,” he told reporters on Dec. 2.

On Thursday, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Tim McLeod told media it is the responsibility of independent organizations to investigate concerns brought forward by the public.

“My understanding is that the Moose Jaw Police have been in receipt of information. I believe the FCAA is also in receipt of information,” McLeod said.

“If those independent bodies conduct an investigation and yield results that warrant the College of Physicians [and] Surgeons to get involved, then I expect fully that they would share those results of their investigation.”

CTV News reached out to the CPSS and the FCAA but did not receive a response as of Thursday afternoon.

Woman pays $84,000 to centre

The CBC report details the story of a 70-year-old American woman diagnosed with ALS, a nervous system disease that causes loss of muscle control.

She travelled to Moose Jaw for treatment at the Dayan Goodenowe Restorative Health Center. In the report, her family alleges she did not receive the treatment she was promised despite paying the centre $84,000 USD.

In a statement to CTV News, Goodenowe extended his condolences to the woman’s family and loved ones. Due to the centre being involved in legal action against the CBC over its reporting, Goodenowe stated he cannot comment on every detail.

“My centre is not a medical clinic and does not perform surgical procedures such as inserting a feeding tube, so she was referred to the local hospital,” the statement read.

“It is our understanding that the licensed medical staff at the local hospital in Moose Jaw reviewed her situation and, because the procedure was not deemed medically necessary, declined to perform it.

“She was deemed of sufficient health to be discharged from the hospital on December 7 [2024]. [The woman] then chose to leave that hospital and later traveled to Montana, where she obtained the feeding tube. [The woman] died several weeks after leaving Moose Jaw.

“Any suggestion that her health deteriorated or that she died under our care or under the care of the local staff, in Moose Jaw, or as a result of decisions made by my centre or by Moose Jaw health care providers is incorrect.”