New family physician now practising in Cold Lake

COLD LAKE – Local residents have increased access to primary care with the arrival of a new family physician.

Dr. Mohammed Azam Khan started practising last month at the Lakeland Medical Clinic and Cold Lake Healthcare Centre. He becomes the 13th family physician practising in Cold Lake.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome Dr. Khan to the community,” says Dr. Joe Stander, the local Community Medical Director for Alberta Health Services. “He’s a great addition to our local care team, and his skills and experience are a valuable asset to local residents.”

Dr. Khan comes to Cold Lake from Toronto, where he finalized the process of obtaining his licence to practise in Canada. Born and raised in India, Dr. Kahn did his medical training and post-graduate internship in Mumbai, before moving to Saudi Arabia to complete his family medicine residency.

Dr. Khan and his wife, Taheseen, have four children ranging in age from five to 18. “We like to bike as a family and explore different places,” says Dr. Khan, adding he is looking forward to learning more about his patients and his new community.

AHS continues to recruit for family physicians across northern Alberta to meet community needs. AHS has physician resource planners who are dedicated to identifying and pursuing international and domestic physician recruitment opportunities. They work closely with various community partners and organizations, Health Advisory Councils, the Rural Health Professions Action Plan, and independent physician recruitment and retention organizations, such as Hearts for Healthcare in Cold Lake.

“Last year, Hearts for Healthcare approached the City of Cold Lake and the MD of Bonnyville to suggest a partnership to recruit and retain much- needed doctors to our community, and ensure everyone has access to a physician,” says Kim Coosemans, board president of Hearts for Healthcare in Cold Lake. “Both the City of Cold Lake and the MD of Bonnyville have confirmed their commitment and have supported this initiative. We are excited to welcome Dr. Khan and his family to 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. /p>