June 27, 2023
FORT McMURRAY — Local and area residents now have improved access to orthopedic surgical care with the recent recruitment of two permanent orthopedic surgeons to the community.
Dr. Mansour Abolghasemian and Dr. Sarup Sridharan are now practising at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.
“The addition of Dr. Abolghasemian and Dr. Sridharan is exciting news for the Wood Buffalo region. Having more access to orthopedic surgical services in the community ensures fewer patients have to travel out of the community for their procedures,” says Tany Yao, MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo.
“Both surgeons bring a wealth of experience, skills and orthopedic specialties to the community. Their desire to practise and provide care here will be a tremendous asset to our residents,” says Brian Jean, MLA for Fort McMurray- Lac La Biche and Minister of Energy and Minerals.
These recruitment efforts align with the Alberta Surgical Initiative (ASI). The initiative, developed in partnership with Alberta Health, is a plan that strives to ensure all Albertans receive their scheduled surgeries within clinically appropriate targets. More information about this initiative.
The Fort McMurray hospital currently has a full complement of four permanent orthopedic surgeons, including Dr. Andrei Manolescu and Dr. Irfan Qureshi.
“We identified a need within the community to enhance and expand our orthopedic surgical service offerings,” says Dr. Fauzia Haq Nawaz, Facility Medical Director for the hospital and Willow Square Continuing Care Centre.
“Thanks to our recruitment efforts, we’re pleased to meet the needs of the community with the recent additions of Dr. Abolghasemian and Dr. Sridharan to our orthopedic surgical team. Having a full complement of orthopedic surgeons decreases surgical wait times and ensures we’re able to offer most types of orthopedic surgeries right here in Fort McMurray.”
Approximately 10 to 12 orthopedic surgeries — both emergency and scheduled (elective) — are completed each day at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.
Wait time information can be found at http://waittimes.alberta.ca/
Dr. Abolghasemian, who relocated from Toronto, is internationally recognized for his contributions to the field of arthroplasty. Originally from Iran, he completed his residency there and further honed his skills through fellowships in Canada, Europe and Iran.
“Witnessing the transformative power of surgical fracture fixation and the revolutionary potential of joint replacement in restoring a painless and functional life, I chose to specialize in complex trauma, arthroplasty and hip and pelvis surgery areas where I could make a significant difference,” says Dr. Abolghasemian. “However, my commitment extends beyond these specialties, as I find joy in helping patients across the entire spectrum of orthopedic care.
“I am fortunate to have been offered a position in Fort McMurray that aligns perfectly with my expertise. My wife, young daughter and I have embraced this beautiful city and its welcoming, collegial environment. We have already established a strong sense of belonging, truly making Fort McMurray our home.”
Dr. Sridharan, originally from India, moved to Lloydminster at a young age. Dr. Sridharan completed his medical training at the University of Alberta, and surgical residency at the University of Calgary. He previously practised as an orthopedic surgeon locum at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre between August 2022 and January 2023.
Dr. Sridharan specializes in foot/ankle, pediatric and general orthopedics. Away from work, he enjoys sports, being active outdoors, exploring local parks and trails with his family, and visiting local recreation facilities, such as MacDonald Island Park.
“I chose to work here in Fort McMurray as I had an excellent experience at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre during my locum. The entire team at the hospital was welcoming and incredible to work with, and the community offers many possibilities,” says Dr. Sridharan.
While the hospital can offer most orthopedic surgeries, in rare circumstances, some patients requiring specialized surgical care related to multi-trauma, primary bone tumors and/or pediatric spine cases might be referred to another healthcare facility.
Local residents Jennifer Sandmoen and William Oldford recently shared their experiences and gratitude for the local orthopedic surgical team. See their stories.
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. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
