April 22, 2024
FORT MCMURRAY — Local and area residents have increased access to mental health services with the arrival of another psychiatrist to the community.
Dr. Akeem Adedolapo is working out of the Stadek Clinic (105, 9616 Franklin Ave.) and is also providing care at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.
“The Government of Alberta and AHS are working with community partners to find the physicians required to meet the healthcare needs of residents. Mental health services play an important role in the overall wellness of Albertans, and our government is committed to ensuring that every Albertan has access to the supports they need,” says Tany Yao, MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo.
“It’s important for Fort McMurray and area residents to have access to services locally for their mental health, not just their physical health,” adds Brian Jean, MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche. “The addition of Dr. Adedolapo to the local addiction and mental health team is excellent news for residents.”
Dr. Adedolapo becomes the fifth psychiatry specialist in the city.
As part of a new initiative, an AHS clinical assistant has also been hired to work with local psychiatrists on the inpatient psychiatry unit at NLRHC.
“Working to improve mental health services has been identified as a priority by both the community and Alberta Health Services (AHS),” says Susan Given, Senior Operating Officer for Addiction and Mental Health for AHS North Zone. “We are very pleased to have Dr. Adedolapo join the AHS Addiction and Mental Health team in Fort McMurray.”
Dr. Adedolapo is originally from Cape Town, South Africa. He received his undergraduate medical training in Nigeria, and post-graduate in Cape Town, South Africa, where he worked as a general adult psychiatrist for a year.
Dr. Adedolapo is married with four children and is looking forward to learning more about Canadian culture and values and integrating into the community in Fort McMurray.
As part of an overall physician recruitment strategy, AHS has three physician resource planners in the AHS North Zone who are dedicated to identifying and pursuing international and domestic physician recruitment opportunities. These planners work closely with partner organizations, such as the Rural Health Professionals Action Plan, Health Advisory Councils, and local, independent community 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.
