August 24, 2023
BARRHEAD — Local and area residents now have improved access to obstetrics and gynecology care (OB/GYN) with the recruitment of a new physician now practicing in the community.
Dr. Ruhee Sidhu is an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) who is now practicing at the Barrhead Healthcare Centre. Dr. Sidhu joins a team of 13 family medicine physicians and two specialists in the community.
“I want to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Sidhu,” says Glenn van Dijken, MLA for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock. “I am so pleased she has returned to Alberta to continue her practice which will provide increased access to obstetrics and gynecology care for area residents.”
“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Sidhu to our community,” says Dr. Firdaus Mydeen, Associate Zone Medical Director for Alberta Health Services (AHS). “She’s a welcome addition to the local care team and her skills and expertise will not only help increase access to obstetrics and gynecology care for residents but will also provide more support to our current physicians.”
Originally from Edmonton, Dr. Sidhu completed her medical residency at Ascension Health in Michigan. A U.S. board certified OB/GYN Dr. Sidhu has practiced in Illinois, Michigan and Arizona and served as the director of gynecology at FHN (Freeport Health Network) in Illinois.
Dr. Sidhu and her husband, a certified professional accountant who is also originally from Edmonton, planned their move back to Alberta with their son to be closer to family. “I am an Oilers fan for life,” she laughs.
Looking forward to being able to spend time with family and enjoy outdoor activities, Dr. Sidhu says she is excited to be able to serve her new community.
“I am passionate in the work that I do,” she notes. “For me, this opportunity will allow women in rural settings better access to services that are much needed, with a hope that this leads to a broader women’s health initiative.”
Alberta Health Services (AHS) continues to recruit for 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, such as local Health Advisory Councils, the Rural Health Professions Action Plan, and independent physician attraction and retention committees.
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.
