Alberta Health Services announced the recruitment of a new general surgeon in Fort McMurray.
Dr Alex Bressan will work out of the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre (NLRHC), moving to town from Calgary at the end of August.
It was in Calgary where Bressan received general surgery training.
Facility Medical Director Dr Mowaffaq Almikhlafi welcomed him and his family to the community.
“We recognized the need for adding a third general surgeon in order to maintain the level of access needed to meet the growing demand for general surgical procedures in Fort McMurray. We look forward to adding his expertise to the Wood Buffalo community.”
Married with two sons, Bressan completed his residency and earned his medical degree in his home country of Brazil.
His addition to the surgical team is great news for Fort McMurray, said AHS North Zone Senior Operating Officer Murray Crawford.
“We will see an increase of surgical capacity in our facility, which translates to shorter wait times and less people having to travel out of town.”
Our local MLAs also shared their enthusiasm for the new hire.
“Dr Bressan’s skills are a great addition to the medical team in Fort McMurray and the addition of a new general surgeon will allow more healthcare closer to home.” Said Laila Goodridge, MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche.
A former paramedic, Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Tany Yao said it’s exciting to have another surgeon coming to work in the region.
“On behalf of Fort McMurray, we extend a warm welcome to Dr. Bressan and look forward to him joining the surgical team.”
AHS will continue recruiting physicians for northern Alberta.
It will also consult community partners and retention committees like the Wood Buffalo Health Advisory Council and the Rural Health Professions Action Plan.
