Cold Lake’s efforts to attract doctors are bringing positive results. So much so that there are doctors in the community looking for patients, and there are more doctors on the way.
It’s not a situation of having too many doctors or too few patients, says Rob Brassard, a board member for Hearts For Healthcare. It’s a matter of getting the word out to the public that after years of doctor shortages, there is now capacity for physicians to take on more patients.
People have stopped asking the medical clinics if there is a doctor to take them on, Brassard said, because for years it has been nearly impossible to get onto a patient list.
“I think the problem is, a lot of people don’t call for a doctor because they just think we don’t have any,” Brassard said. “And so we need to get the word out to let people know that there are these doctors that are looking for patients.”
There are four doctors already in town whose panels aren’t yet full, he said: three at Lakeland Medical Clinic in the hospital, and one at the City-operated Cold Lake Medical Clinic.
And more are coming.
“There is another doctor that started December 1st and another one that’s going to start fairly soon,” according to Brassard.
“And then we have two doctors currently in High River doing their assessments. There are three months of assessments and then they’ll be here.”
It’s important that the doctors are able to fill their patient panels, says Brassard, because that helps fulfill their earning potential—a key factor in keeping doctors in the community.
“Because at the end of the day if they don’t make enough money, like anybody, they’re going to go look for an opportunity where they can make money,” Brassard said. “Especially once they’re licensed and they’ve got their accreditation and everything done, they’re very marketable. They can go anywhere.”
But earnings potential isn’t the only factor that brings physicians to a community or makes them want to stay. For someone arriving in the Lakeland after living in a big city in Canada or overseas, the pace and the culture can take some adjustment. A welcoming community can make a big difference.
A lot of the recruiting success has come via positive word-of-mouth. Doctors in Cold Lake are encouraging their friends and colleagues to consider coming here.
Brassard speaks of an obstetrician who is attracted by Cold Lake as a young community with good maternity numbers. But it goes beyond that.
“I asked him, ‘what made you come to Cold Lake?’ And he said, ‘you know, it just seemed like a good community,’” Brassard said.
The city’s good reputation is half the battle, but only half. The rest is a matter of living up to it and encouraging doctors to stay—for the professional opportunities and for quality of life.
“One part of getting them here is keeping their panels full. And then, wrapping our arms around them to keep them,” Brassard said
“We are in a very fortunate position that we have doctors looking for patients. We’re one of those rare communities right now to have this situation,” he said. “And to keep them here, we need to fill their panels.”
New family physician practicing in St. Paul
A newly recruited family physician is now practicing in St. Paul.
Dr. Akinwumi Awotunde is a family medicine physician practicing at the St. Therese – St. Paul Healthcare Centre and the Living Hope Medical Clinic. He is supporting the emergency department, inpatient and outpatient services, and continuing care at the healthcare centre, as well as providing family medicine care in the community.
Dr. Awotunde received his medical training in Ukraine and completed his residency in Nigeria, his home country. He is married with two children.
“We are excited to have Dr. Awotunde join the local healthcare team in St. Paul,” says Dr. Jane Ojedokun, Zone Medical Director in the North Zone of Alberta Health Services. “His arrival helps ensure patients in St. Paul and area receive the highest standard of care when they need it.”