Three new doctors are set to start practising in Stettler in 2025, and more are being interviewed at this time.
The issue has been brought to the forefront this year due to a shortage of family doctors, anesthesiologists and child delivery services in Stettler.
The community has rallied around the issue since the shortage has led to multiple temporary emergency room closures in 2024.
Hometown Media Stettler met with Stettler Needs Doctors Chair, Dean Lovell in December to talk about the ongoing efforts to attract doctors to the area.
“We’ve interviewed and toured four doctors in our community. Out of the four doctors that we’ve toured since July, we’ve secured three of them.
We’ve got Doctor Ude. He just finished his PCA in Whitecourt and he will be starting within the first week or two of January. So we’re excited to have him coming to our community.
The second doctor coming to our community is Dr. Victoria Onwuzurike. We expect Dr. Victoria to be in Stettler and hopefully seeing patients sometime in March or April of 2025.
The third doctor is Dr. Kankam-Yeboah, and she is going to be starting her PCA, it sounds like in Brooks, and as a result of that, that’ll put her in Stettler somewhere in June or July of 2025.
We would like to get another 6 to 8 doctors to come to Stettler, so we’re currently working with Alberta Health Services and our recruiter.”
When asked about the financial incentive for doctors offered by the Town & County, Dean noted it helps set Stettler apart from other communities facing the same issue.
“I can’t thank the Town and County enough for putting that foot forward, I think it certainly sets us apart, and it’s one of the things that has driven doctors to our community.”
Aside from the doctor incentive offered by the Town & County, the Stettler Health Foundation also offers a $100,000 loan to doctors over a period of two years.
If you’d like more information on the recruitment efforts, visit stettlerneedsdoctors.ca
“To bring doctors to Stettler, it’s not just a doctor recruitment committee, it is a community. It’s the entire community that comes together that lets these doctors understand how crucial it is for them to come to our town.
They need furniture. They’re going to need support networks. So as a community, let’s put our arms around them, welcome them with open arms & make sure they want to be here for a long period of time.”
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
