A new general practice (GP) physician with enhanced anesthesia skills began practising this July in Innisfail and Olds, improving access to health care in the area.

Dr. Colton Lewis began practising July 1 at the Innisfail Health Centre and Olds Hospital and Care Centre, Peaks to Prairies Primary Care Network, and Wildrose Medical Clinic in Olds.

With Dr. Lewis’s arrival, Olds has 15 GP physicians practising in the community, four with enhanced anesthesia skills, and Innisfail has 11 GP physicians, one with enhanced anesthesia skills.

“Dr. Lewis’ skills in family medicine and anesthesia, and his passion for rural Alberta, will make him a tremendous asset,” says Nathan Cooper, MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Lewis to Alberta’s dynamic Central Corridor.”

Dr. Lewis received his medical training at the University of Alberta, with additional rural family medicine and Family Practice Anesthesia training through the University of Calgary. His schooling included time in Hinton and Lethbridge. He has been a locum physician since graduating and has practiced across Alberta including Olds, Innisfail, Rocky Mountain House, Red Deer. He has also served as a locum physician in Inuvik and Whitehorse.

Dr. Lewis was raised in rural Alberta and looks forward to putting down roots in his new home.

“When you are part of a rural community no two days are the same, but you make an impact for your community regardless. I look forward to developing long lasting relationships in the community and for my family being given the opportunity to grow as well.”

Alberta Health Services (AHS) continues to recruit for physicians across 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 local Health Advisory Councils, the Rural Health Professions Action Plan, and independent physician recruitment and retention committees.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.

 

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