May 20, 2014
ATHABASCA — Local residents have improved access to primary care with the arrival of Dr. Adekunle Ogunnupe, a family doctor now practising at the Athabasca Professional Building.
Dr. Ogunnupe – who’s called Dr. Ade by colleagues and patients – arrived in Athabasca last month following recruitment efforts by Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Government of Alberta, local physicians and community partners.
“This is very exciting. The Doctor Recruitment Committee along with our local doctors have done an outstanding job in improving access to primary care services in Athabasca,” says Jeff Johnson, Minister of Education and MLA for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater.
In the AHS North Zone, three physician resource planners are dedicated to identifying and pursuing international and domestic physician recruitment opportunities. They work closely with community partners and organizations, such as local Health Advisory Councils, the Rural Physician Action Plan, and independent community physician recruitment and retention committees.
Kim Fleming, North Zone Physician Resource Planner, says Mabel Dick, Chair of the Athabasca Recruitment and Retention Committee, along with her husband Bob, have been instrumental in Dr. Ade’s recruitment.
“They’ve been a huge help with welcoming Dr. Ade and his family to the community,” says Fleming. “Dr. Leon Burger and Dr. Mike Smith have also been very involved in Dr. Ade’s recruitment. Without the support of local residents, the arrival of Dr. Ade would not have been possible.”
Dr. Ade received his medical degree in Nigeria and completed his residency in the U.K. He and his wife have three children: five-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, and a two-year-old boy. The children enjoy playing soccer, swimming and gymnastics.
“The Lakeland Health Advisory Council welcomes the addition of Dr. Ade to the health services team in Athabasca and the Lakeland region,” says James Lamouche, Chair of the Lakeland Health Advisory Council. “We look forward to working with Lakeland residents, Alberta Health Services, and our communities toward ensuring further success in recruitment and retention of caring and committed health professionals and a truly caring health system for all.”
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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