Heart of Health: Cape Breton couple builds life, careers in healthcare

A Cape Breton couple who grew up only a few communities apart are now building both a family and parallel careers at Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney. It is a journey shaped by a shared commitment to helping patients regain independence.

Jillian Burton, an occupational therapist, and her husband, Brian Finn, a physiotherapist, were both born and raised on the island. Burton is from Sydney Mines; Finn grew up in River Ryan. Today, they work just down the hall from each other at the hospital.

Jillian has been with Nova Scotia Health since 2017, beginning her career in mental health before moving into acute care. Brian spent a decade as a medical laboratory technologist before returning to school to pursue physiotherapy.

The path to occupational therapy began early for Jillian. “I’ve wanted to be an occupational therapist since I was in university,” she says. “Anytime I talked to an occupational therapist, I got the most positive response. Now, being on the other side, I love what I do.”

Her mother, who worked in human resources at the hospital for more than 30 years, encouraged her to explore healthcare. That led to a summer internship in which Jillian shadowed occupational therapists and discovered the profession’s focus on helping people regain independence in daily activities.

“Going to work isn’t a job for me,” she says. “I really love what I do and my coworkers are just amazing.”

Brian’s route was less direct. After completing a biology degree at Cape Breton University, he trained as a lab technologist and worked at the regional hospital for 10 years. However, he found himself wanting more direct interaction with patients. Jillian suggested he consider physiotherapy.

After shadowing clinicians, Brian applied to and was accepted into programs at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. The couple spent two years living apart while he completed his master’s degree. The sacrifice was worth it, they said.

“It was really hard at the time,” Jillian says. “However, the benefit of him really loving what he does was worth the wait.”

Brian now works on the orthopedic floor, helping patients recover mobility after surgeries or injuries. “A lot of people are very apprehensive to get up and walk again,” he says. “Working with them to show them how to safely mobilize and getting them to where they want to be is very rewarding.”

Jillian’s work focuses on assessing how patients function before and after hospitalization. This involves tasks such as dressing, cooking, going to the washroom, driving and managing things at home. She collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to plan safe discharges.

“Sometimes people think they’ll never be able to comb their hair or get their shirt on again,” she says. “It’s nice to be able to work with them and show them different ways they can accomplish their goals.”

The support of colleagues keeps them motivated, especially on difficult days.

“I look over and one of my colleagues is working with a client and getting that person home,” Jillian says. “That compels me to keep going.”

Brian agrees. “As a newer grad, it was really good that we have a big team,” he says. “If I’m having a challenging case, I can bounce ideas off my coworkers.”

The couple married in 2021, welcomed a daughter the next year and recently bought their first home. Through it all, they say Cape Breton – and working with Nova Scotia Health – is the place they want to be.

“We both really have jobs that we love,” Jillian says. “It’s all been worth it.” 

Photo of Jillian Burton and Brian Finn.