Mayor welcomes new physicians to the community in the Town of St. Paul

The Mayor of the Town of St. Paul would like everyone to welcome two new physicians to the community.

“On behalf of the Health Professional Attraction and Retention Committee we are extremely grateful and excited to welcome all of the new physicians to the community,” Maureen Miller Mayor of St. Paul told Lakeland Connect.

A breath of fresh air for people who have been finding it difficult to find a family doctor in the community, which Mayor Miller says, “Has been challenged over the last few years with residents securing a family physician.”

The attraction committee has worked with Alberta Health Services, the College of Physicians and Surgeons to not only match physicians to our needs but also secure assessments for these placements, Mayor Miller added.

“Early in the year St. Paul welcomed a surgeon, Dr. Balakrishnan, then in the fall family physicians Dr. Farrukh, Dr. Ojimelukwe joined the community,” Mayor Miller said. “This week we announced Dr. Oteghekpen and Dr. Omoifo starting their practices.”

Mayor Miller says in January Drs. Serena and Ehi Obaitua will be relocating to the community with two more joining by the end of spring.

“To say I am ecstatic is an understatement, Mayor Miller said. “I have had the opportunity to meet each and every one of them and they are all truly a delight. This was a huge undertaking and would not have been possible without the collaboration of our MLA Dave Hanson, the College of Physicians and Surgeons and AHS, previous Reeve Steve Upham and now Reeve Glen Ockerman and the County and Town Council’s, St. Paul Education, and finally our attraction and retention committee.”

This enormous undertaking required all hands on deck, Mayor Miller added.

“On behalf of Reeve Ockerman, myself, and our community we wish each of you and your families a warm welcome to St. Paul,” Mayor Miller said. “We welcome you with open arms and hope you feel our gratitude that you have chosen St. Paul to be your home.”