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

Dr. Christian Igboamalu, also known as Dr. Chris, is a family medicine physician with a sub-specialty in high-risk obstetrics. He works out of the Cold Lake Healthcare Centre.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome Dr. Igboamalu to the community,” says Dr. Joe Stander, Community Medical Director for Alberta Health Services (AHS) in Cold Lake. “It’s important that Cold Lake residents have timely access to family physicians and Dr. Igboamalu’s skills, particularly in
high-risk obstetrics, make him a valuable member of the local care team.”

Dr. Igboamalu becomes the ^14th family physician practising in the city. He comes to Cold Lake after practising for two years in Slave Lake and, most recently, in Edmonton for two years.

Originally from Nigeria, Dr. Igboamalu did his medical training at the Nigeria University of Benin, before moving to South Africa where he did his residency and completed his diploma in obstetrics and Masters of Family Medicine.

Dr. Igboamalu, his wife Lucy and their four children are looking forward to getting to know more about Cold Lake. Dr. Igboamalu says his son is an avid soccer player and his three daughters are into competitive gymnastics.

“We are looking forward to engaging in sporting activities with the community,” he says.

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 Cold Lake’s Hearts for Healthcare, as well as local Health Advisory Councils and the Rural Health Professions Action Plan.