June 16, 2014
FAIRVIEW — A family physician has been newly recruited to practise in Fairview, thanks to the ongoing recruitment efforts of Alberta Health Services (AHS) and its community partners.
Dr. Robert Dikeukwu is a general practitioner from South Africa who is practising at the Fairview Medical Clinic and providing care at the Fairview Health Complex. He, his wife and four children moved to Fairview this month, and he has been practising in the community full time since June 9.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Dr. Dikeukwu to Fairview,” says Hector Goudreau, MLA for Dunvegan-Central Peace-Notley. “Physician efforts continue for this area and, while we know there is still work to be done, his arrival is an example of the progress being made.”
“I think Dr. Dikeukwu is an excellent addition to our community,” adds Mayor Gordon McLeod, who also chairs the North Peace Regional Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee. “He is very pleasant and easygoing.”
Recruitment efforts continue for two more full-time family physicians to Fairview.
“The local physician recruitment and retention committee is very engaged and we are fortunate to be able to work so closely with them,” says Susan Smith, North Zone physician resource planner.
They work closely with various community partners and organizations, such as local Health Advisory Councils, the Rural Physician Action Plan, and independent community physician recruitment and retention committees.
“Physician recruitment is not a one-person job,” says Dr. Karen Lundgard, Associate Zone Medical Director for the area. “The arrival of Dr. Dikeukwu would not have been possible without support from our partners and the community.”
Dr. Dikeukwu says he is looking forward to working and living in the community. “Fairview seems to be a very good community and it’s very easy to get around. We like it,” he says.
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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