October 26, 2015
GRANDE PRAIRIE — Residents in Grande Prairie and surrounding communities have increased access to mental health services with the arrival of another full-time child and youth psychiatrist.
Dr. Daisy Ann Jabido-Artuz, who prefers to be called Dr. Daisy, began practising in Grande Prairie at the beginning of the month. She is based out of Nordic Court and is also providing care at the QEII Hospital.
Dr. James Pope, Facility Medical Director for the QEII Hospital, extends his welcome to Dr. Daisy.
“She will be a great support for area residents and their families,” says Dr. Pope.
Dr. Daisy is the second full-time child psychiatrist now practising in Grande Prairie, following the recruitment in 2013 of Dr. Ayotunde Kafi.
Together, they support a variety of local services, including the student health program, in which mental health therapists are placed in area school districts on a rotating basis, and a youth crisis transition therapist, who supports children and youth mental health patients in the QEII emergency department.
“Working to improve children and youth mental health services has been identified as a priority by both the community and AHS,” says Donna Koch, Executive Director of Addiction and Mental Health for AHS North Zone. “I think local residents and many of our community partners, including schools, will be eager to welcome her to Grande Prairie.”
Susan Smith, physician resource planner with AHS North Zone, says the arrival of Dr. Daisy is an example of how physicians tend to recruit other physicians.
“Dr. Stan Muwonge, a longtime physician in Grande Prairie, played a large role in the recruitment of Dr. Daisy,” says Smith. “He met her in Calgary and encouraged her to consider making Grande Prairie her home. He then referred her to us and from there, we continued to work with her through the formal recruitment process.”
As part of an overall physician recruitment strategy, AHS has three physician resource planners in its 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 Physician Action Plan, Health Advisory Councils, and local, independent community physician recruitment and retention committees.
“We’re always working hard to recruit new physicians to communities across northern Alberta, ensuring local needs are met,” says Smith.
Dr. Daisy came to Canada from Davao City in the Philippines. She received her medical training at Davao Medical Centre and the Philippine General Hospital, operated by the University of the Philippines. She and her husband have two children, both of whom are university students, and a pet shitzu. In her spare time, Dr. Daisy says she enjoys the occasional out-of-town family trip, as well as reading, crossword puzzles and music.
“I’m looking forward to making Grande Prairie my home and to help build a stronger multicultural community, too,” says Dr. Daisy. “I am determined, a team player and a mental health advocate.”
Residents can call 780-538-5160 for more information about local child and youth mental health services.
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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