FORT MCMURRAY (660 NEWS) – The province is eyeing Fort McMurray for a future family medicine residency site.
Once operational, it will allow students studying through the University of Alberta the opportunity to complete their medical training in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
The provincial government has formed a committee, led by members of the U of A, that will engage with local residents and stakeholder groups and work toward establishing the residency site in Fort McMurray.
“A successful residency site will play an important role in attracting physicians to the region and give local residents more access to the health care they need,” said Health Minister Tyler Shandro in a government press release.
Laila Goodridge, MLA for Fort McMurray – Lac La Biche, will be part of the committee and said they will work on concrete measures to improve health care in the region.
“We will be seeking advice from medical professionals and community members to make a made-in-Fort McMurray model to serve our region for the long term,” she said.
Dr. Shirley Schipper, Vice-Dean of Education with the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta, said a residency site will benefit students and residents, and the local community as a whole.
“We are very pleased to be involved in re-establishing Fort McMurray as one of our key training sites for the University of Alberta Family Medicine Residency Program and for our medical school,” Schipper said.
The committee will consist of the following individuals:
- Dr. Johannes Bouwer, community physician
- Dr. Lawrence Cheung, associate dean, postgraduate medical education, University of Alberta
- Dr. John Chmelicek, residency program director, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta
- Laila Goodridge, MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche
- Robert Kielly, medical affairs director, North Zone, Alberta Health Services
- Dr. Brian Muir, medical director, North Zone, Alberta Health Services
- Dr. John O’Connor, community physician
- Dr. Darryl Rolfson, associate dean, undergraduate medical education, University of Alberta
- Tany Yao, MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo
- Director, Office of Rural and Regional Health, University of Alberta (currently vacant)
