May 23, 2014
SLAVE LAKE — Two additional physicians have been recruited to practise in Slave Lake, making a total of four physicians recruited to the community in the past four months, thanks to the ongoing recruitment efforts of Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Slave Lake Tri-Council and the local MLA.
Dr. Hythum Elharathi and Dr. Yusrah Hartley are both full scope general practitioners.
“Physician recruitment is a challenge nationwide, and I’m happy with the progress being made in the Slave Lake area,” says Pearl Calahasen, MLA for Lesser Slave Lake. “We will continue to work closely with AHS and other government and community partners to recruit physicians and health care professionals to our area.”
Dr. Elharathi has been providing locum (visiting) coverage in Slave Lake since May 5, and says he enjoys the practice and the community so much that he has decided to stay permanently. He is newly married, and enjoys soccer and reading in his spare time. Dr. Elharathi and his wife are looking forward to integrating into the community and experiencing all there is to explore.
Dr. Hartley is expected to arrive in Slave Lake by the fall, following the completion of her immigration process from South Africa and her required assessment with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.
“Welcoming two additional family physicians is great news for the community and an example of the hard work that is being done to ensure Slave Lake residents continue to have access to the care they need,” says Dr. Terry Unger, Associate Zone Medical Director for Slave Lake. “Dr. Elharathi and Dr. Hartley are welcome additions to the local medical team.”
News of Dr. Elharathi and Dr. Hartley’s recruitment follows recent announcements that two other doctors have been recruited to practise here starting in the fall: Dr. Geoffrey Bourke, a general practitioner with additional post-graduate diplomas in diabetes, child health, dermatology and antenatal care; and Dr. Chris Igboamalu, a family physician with a sub-specialty in high-risk obstetrics.
Aggressive recruitment efforts will continue. Another general practitioner with a sub-specialty in anesthesia is slated to tour Slave Lake next week.
“I’m proud of how the community has come together to work in partnership with AHS and other government partners to ensure residents are getting access to timely and quality health care,” says Tyler Warman, Mayor of Slave Lake. “All of the hard work is paying off and the success is a testament to what a great place Slave Lake is to live.”
As part of an overall physician recruitment strategy, AHS has three North Zone physician resource planners who identify and pursue physician recruitment opportunities. They work closely with various community partners and organizations in northern Alberta, such as the Rural Physician Action Plan, Health Advisory Councils, and independent community physician recruitment and retention committees.
“We have an excellent care team in Slave Lake and Dr. Elharathi and Dr. Hartley are a welcome addition to it,” says Dr. Kevin Worry, North Zone Medical Director. “We continue to work with our government and community partners to ensure Slave Lake residents have timely access to the care they need.”
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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