October 29, 2015
HIGH PRAIRIE — Local residents have increased access to primary care with the arrival of a new family physician now practising at the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Community Health and Wellness Clinic.
Dr. Ali Niazee is a general practitioner who was recruited by AHS in the spring and arrived in High Prairie this month. He received his medical training and degree in Iraq and was most recently living in Ontario.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Dr. Niazee to the community,” says Dr. Richard Ibach, AHS Associate Zone Medical Director for High Prairie. “He’s a great addition to the Community Health and Wellness Clinic. His services will help support families and residents, as well as the local health care team.”
High Prairie’s Community Health and Wellness Clinic opened last December. Since then, three new physicians – including Dr. Niazee – have started practising at the clinic with a fourth expected to begin in December or January.
“Because the clinic model will offer a range of primary care, public health and interprofessional health care services in one location, it’s appealing to physicians to join and be a part of our team,” says Dr. Ibach.
AHS continues to recruit for family physicians across northern Alberta to meet community’s needs. In AHS North Zone, three physician resource planners are dedicated to identifying and pursuing international and domestic physician recruitment opportunities. They work closely with various community partners and organizations, such as local Health Advisory Councils, the Rural Physician Action Plan, and independent physician recruitment and retention committees.
Dr. Niazee says rural medicine is a great profession because it provides him with the opportunity to practise a wide range of different aspects of medicine – including emergency, clinical and inpatient care – while being part of the community he serves.
“The community and staff in High Prairie are very welcoming and friendly, and I look forward to making it my home,” says Dr. Niazee, who has a wife and two children ages seven and three.
They enjoy swimming, biking and fishing.
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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