Physician Award nominee: Dr. Hermanus Potgieter

Recognizing 2025 Rhapsody Physician Award nominee: Dr. Hermanus Potgieter
Community: Viking

It’s hard to know where Viking’s Dr. Hermanus Potgieter is going to turn up.

He might be behind the chutes at local rodeos, monitoring a patient under anesthesia, driving a parade float, or delivering a baby.

The long-time physician plays a key role in both healthcare and community building.

“He has done it all, never seeking recognition or thanks,” wrote members of the Kinsella Bullarama Committee and Kinsella Recreation and Agriculture Society. The committee is just one of several organizations and people that support Dr. Potgieter’s nomination for a 2025 RhPAP Rhapsody Physician Award.

“From broken bones, joint dislocations, soft tissue injuries, seizures, and racing back to Viking behind an ambulance to further assist a cowboy needing stabilization before transfer to a higher level of care…he has offered his skills and time to build a stronger more successful community.”

Twyla Lehmann, a registered nurse (RN) and now an Alberta Health Services Central Zone clinical nurse educator, says Dr. Potgieter gently helped her as a reluctant nurse to deliver her first baby.

“He truly became an angel over my shoulder walking me though the maneuvers, calmly guiding me. I couldn’t believe I had actually assisted a baby into this world,” says Lehmann, who nominated her colleague for the award.

“He had such a profound impact on my career in so many ways though mentorship, kindness, compassion, and his calm demeanour.”

As a leader, Dr. Potgieter helped establish the Kalyna Country Primary Care Network (KCPCN) 15 years ago, says Charlotte Thompson-Manderson, clinical manager.

“One of Dr. Potgieter’s most significant contributions has been his instrumental role in making Viking Medical Clinic a provincial leader in the development of the Patient Medical Home model,” she says of the concept which integrates allied health professionals into a clinic team.

His vision also led to an exemplary surgical program in Viking.

“It was through determination and slowly increasing our program from general surgery to include gynecology, podiatry, dental oral-facial, endoscopy, and obstetrics that our site is now leading in rural care,” shares RN Diane Vitek, on behalf of the Viking Perioperative Team.

Jill Davidson met Dr. Potgieter as an undergraduate nurse and has worked with him for more than a decade.  

“I have been inspired by his ability to take on the unruly demands of a rural community where he juggles so many hats; community medicine, emergency medicine, acute medicine, obstetrical medicine and finally anesthesia, where his passion and skill is unlike any other,” the RN says.

“I have worked with a lot of doctors, and I can’t say anyone has made me feel so validated, valued, and proud to be a part of the medical community.”

Click here to view the 2025 Rhapsody Nominees.