May 26, 2014
HIGH LEVEL — Local residents have improved access to primary care with the recruitment of two new full-time physicians now practising in the community.
Dr. Willem Skein and Dr. Paul Jordaan are family physicians now practicing at the Northwest Health Centre in High Level, as well as at the Paddle Prairie Clinic south of High Level.
“I’m very pleased to hear of two new family physicians starting up practice in High Level,” says Frank Oberle, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and MLA for Peace River. “Their arrival helps support other doctors in the community and the region, while increasing local access to primary care.”
Dr. Skein and his wife Liezl have been married for 20 years, with two daughters and a son. He says he enjoys the challenges and variety that rural medicine provides. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, mountain biking and fishing.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the people of High Level and learning more about the Canadian lifestyle, particularly in the north,” says Dr. Skein, who is from South Africa.
Dr. Jordaan moved to High Level at the end of February. Also from South Africa, he called Mooreesburg home, a community near Cape Town, before completing his residency in Pretoria. He is a family physician with a special interest in emergency medicine, orthopedics and surgery.
“Family physicians are a staple to the health care system, and welcoming two new family physicians is great news for High Level,” says Dr. Kevin Worry, Medical Director for AHS North Zone. “While there is still work to be done, the arrival of these new physicians shows that progress is being made on physician recruitment across northern Alberta.”
In AHS North Zone, three physician resource planners 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 Physician Action Plan, and independent physician recruitment and retention committees.
These resource planners also work closely with local physicians who help support recruitment efforts, including Dr. Heinrich Brussow, Associate Zone Medical Director, and other local physicians from High Level and area.
“Additional family doctors for High Level and area is great news for residents here,” says Michael Osborn, Chair of the True North Health Advisory Council. “It really highlights the work being done by communities and AHS to attract physicians, and shows that work is paying off.”
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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