Third pediatrician recruited to community in past five months

Recruitment efforts bring 10 new physicians to municipality in the past year

FORT McMURRAY — Another new pediatrician has been recruited to practise in Fort McMurray, increasing local access to the specialized medical care of infants, children and adolescents.

Dr. Alnura Akanayeva, born and raised in Kazakhstan, is joining the Fort McMurray medical team this fall. Most recently, she was working in Calgary.

“There are a lot of young families in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo who will benefit from the arrival of Dr. Akanayeva,” says Dr. Kevin Worry, Medical Director in the North Zone of Alberta Health Services (AHS).

AHS has recruited three new pediatricians to Fort McMurray since last year’s wildfires, bringing the total in the community to five.

“We are continuing to ensure that Fort McMurray and area residents have timely access to a wide range of health services,” says Dr. Worry. “The arrival of Dr. Akanayeva shows the recruitment efforts of AHS and community partners are paying off, as physicians and other healthcare providers are opting to practise in communities across northern Alberta.”

Dr. Akanayeva will become the 10th new physician to be recruited to the area since last year’s wildfires. Other physicians newly recruited to Fort McMurray include:

• Dr. Ngozika Okoye, pediatrician, started practising in the community mid-July.
• Dr. Kishore Sindhi, psychiatrist, started practising in the community mid-July.
• Dr. Adeoluwa Ogunsona, psychiatrist, began accepting patients Aug. 1.
• Dr. Saeed Labbaf, anesthesiologist, began practising full-time Sept. 1 and is providing locum coverage at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.
• Dr. Tina Tom, a family medicine physician practising low-risk obstetrics, began accepting patients in the middle of August.
• Dr. Rajeev Peeka, pediatrician, is expected to start accepting patients this fall.
• Dr. Stella Ogunsona, a family medicine physician with a sub-specialty in low-risk obstetrics, is expected to start accepting patients this fall.
• Dr. Danielle Joubert, anesthesiologist, is expected to start practising in the community by the end of this year.
• Dr. Asra Segok, a family medicine physician practising low-risk obstetrics, is expected to start accepting patients by the end of the year.

Dr. Akanayeva received her medical training as a general practitioner in Kazakhstan and completed her pediatric residency in Calgary. She also spent time working as a clinical assistant in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary.

She and her husband have three sons, ages 30, 11 and 10. She gives credit to her family, including her mother, for helping her excel in her professional career by being supportive and encouraging.

Living in Fort McMurray, Dr. Akanayeva says she hopes to spend time with her family biking, skiing, hiking and fishing.

“I hope my younger sons will be happy in the new community and that they like their new school,” says Dr. Akanayeva.

“I am very excited to start my pediatric career here. I will do my best to provide excellent care to my patients and their families. I look forward to being a part of a well-established, highly professional medical community.”

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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