May 7, 2015
SLAVE LAKE — Local residents have increased access to primary care with the arrival of another new family physician now practising in the community.
Dr. Yusrah Hartley is a family medicine physician with an interest in pediatrics. She started practising last month at the Slave Lake Family Care Clinic and the Slave Lake Healthcare Centre.
Dr. Hartley comes to Slave Lake from South Africa, where she received her medical training and where she most recently practiced medicine.
She was recruited through the ongoing efforts of Alberta Health Services (AHS) and its community partners.
“Residents of Slave Lake and their elected representatives are very engaged and we are fortunate to partner with them,” says Allison Chisholm, one of the three AHS physician resource planners dedicated to identifying and pursuing physician recruitment opportunities for AHS North Zone.
The physician resource planners work closely with various community partners and organizations, such as local Health Advisory Councils, the Rural Physician Action Plan, and independent community physician recruitment and retention committees, including the Slave Lake Regional Tri-Council committee.
“We are always working to improve local health care services to ensure our local care needs continue to be met,” says Dr. Keith Martin, Community Medical Director for Slave Lake.
Dr. Cara Robertson, another newly recruited family medicine physician, is expected to arrive in Slave Lake within the next few months.
Dr. Loai Hamdan will also begin practising again in Slave Lake this summer, upon the completion of his additional training in anesthesia, expanding surgical services in the community.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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