New family physician now practising in Lac La Biche

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

Dr. Laurette Laubscher is a family medicine physician working out of the Lac La Biche Associate Medical Clinic. Dr. Laubscher, who received her medical training at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, opened her practice at the end of July and is now accepting new patients.

"It's a pleasure to welcome Dr. Laubscher to the community," says Dr. Richard Birkill, Associate Zone Medical Director for Alberta Health Services (AHS). "She's a great addition to our local care team as we are always working to improve local healthcare services and ensure the needs of our community are met."

Dr. Laubscher becomes the tenth family physician practising in town.

A general family practitioner with a passion for orthopedics, Dr. Laubscher says spending time to get to know her patients is an important part of her practice.

"I try to know my patients the best I can and make sure I get to know more than only the problems they present with on a particular day," she says.

She and her husband, Jacques, are looking forward to getting to know their new community.

"Me and my husband are a team," she says, noting they both enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. “We are looking for a well-balanced lifestyle that does not only entail work but healthy life choices. We want to be involved in the community and make a difference where we can. We also want to embrace what the nature surrounding us has to offer.”

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.