New family physician now practising in Edson

EDSON – Local residents have increased access to primary care with the arrival of a new family physician now practising in the community.

Dr. Frans Kruger is a family medicine physician now working out of the Edson Medical Centre.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome Dr. Kruger to the community,” says Dr. Jane Ojedokun, Associate Zone Medical Director for Alberta Health Services (AHS). “Family physicians are often the first point of health care for people, and having Dr. Kruger as an additional care provider will increase the ability to access quality health care in Edson. Dr. Kruger joins our team with a great wealth of experience in emergency medicine and having him as a member of our local team will enhance the excellent care we are already offering to the community of Edson.”

Dr. Kruger becomes the sixteenth physician practising in town. He comes to Edson from Vermilion where he has been practising since 2016. Originally from South Africa, Dr. Kruger received his medical training and did his residency in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He worked in Ireland in 2015 before coming to Canada in 2016.

Along with his wife and their two sons and daughter, aged six, two, and 10 months, Dr. Kruger is looking forward to getting to know the community and people of Edson. An avid runner and hunter, Dr. Kruger says he and his family hope to enjoy more skiing this winter.

“It's always a pleasure to have new physicians wanting to come to our communities,” says Linda West, chair of the Tamarack Health Advisory Council. “Dr. Kruger will be a great asset to the community of Edson.”

AHS continues to recruit for family physicians across northern Alberta to meet community needs.

AHS has physician resource planners who 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 Health Professions Action Plan, and independent physician recruitment and retention committees.

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.