Progress in physician recruitment throughout Prairie North Health Region continues according to a report to the PNHR Authority board at a regular meeting in Meadow Lake Aug. 31
CEO David Fan reported four physicians have been recruited to Meadow Lake and are due to arrive in June and July 2012 after completing additional training. They are Dr. Sandi Funk, currently a second-year family medicine resident (FMR); Dr. Amie Sequin, an FMR who is completing a third year in surgery; Dr. Stephen Loden, an FMR finishing a third year in anaesthesia; and Dr. Johan Laing, who is completing a diploma in anaesthesia. Dr. Laing's spouse is also a family physician who will be finishing her training by December 2012.
Dr. Andrey Babkis, a general practitioner/anaesthetist, was previously recruited to Meadow Lake and joined PNHR's Primary Health Care clinic in Meadow Lake - the Meadow Lake Associate Clinic - in July to begin his practice.
Recruitment continues for additional physicians for Meadow Lake and Goodsoil.
Fan reported three specialists are establishing practices in Lloydminster. They are Dr. Mohamed Mohamed, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist), who recently completed his residency in London, Ont.; Dr. Obi Ajegbo, an obstetrician/gynaecologist (O&G) who has relocated from North Battleford to serve as the third O&G in Lloydminster; and Dr. Kritesh Maharaj, a general surgeon, who is expected to arrive in Lloydminster in January 2012 to serve as the third general surgeon in the community.
Dr. Henry Ekwueme, a consultant anaesthetist from South Africa, has accepted an offer to start in Lloydminster in January 2012. Dr. Tinesha Govender, who is Dr. Maharaj's spouse, is a family physician who must undergo international medical graduate (IMG) assessment before being able to practice in Lloydminster.
Dr. Mandy Kamyar, a family physician, will be relocating her practice from Maidstone to Lloydminster, in September 2011. Fan said other offers in family practice have also been made and are being considered.
In the Battlefords, one of three vacant family physician positions has been filled at the Primary Health Centre. Dr. Emil Khalil has completed his FMR in Montreal, Que. and is expected to arrive in the Battlefords in October. Recruitment is ongoing for the other two positions.
Recruitment also continues to fill physician vacancies in Turtleford/Edam/St. Walburg and Maidstone. In Turtleford, locum physicians have been recruited to provide service when possible. In Maidstone, Dr. Sherwyn Roman has been recruited to fill one of the two vacancies resulting from the departures of Drs. Kamyar and van Ronge. Dr. Roman is expected to arrive in January 2012 and will have to undergo the IMG assessment.
