Several new family physicians are practising across the province, from Cardston to Spirit River, owing to a provincial initiative managed by RhPAP aimed to enhance rural health care.
The Rural Education Supplement and Integrated Doctor Experience (RESIDE) program was unveiled in early 2021 as a way for medical residents to establish a practice in rural, un-serviced and remote areas of the province. RhPAP, which is well known for its efforts in helping communities attract and retain health professionals in rural Alberta, coordinates the program.
The $8 million Ministry of Health program offers eligible physicians up to $120,000 to help offset relocation and clinic start-up costs along with additional support. The pilot program wraps up March 31, 2024.
RESIDE participants welcome the funding which helps them settle into their new careers and communities. In some cases, it’s been influential in choosing rural.
The financial incentive, along with familiar mentors in the area, likely swayed Dr. Saurabh Parmar’s decision to start a practice in Beaverlodge, 30 minutes west of Grande Prairie.
Dr. Kirk Reid, who works out of a clinic on the Saddle Lake First Nation two hours northeast of Edmonton, agrees.
It helped [my family] get established a little bit more and move that along because the first year is stressful adjusting to work. Any help to make the home life better and ease the debt burden is much appreciated.
– Dr. Kirk Reid.
The funding allowed Dr. Sarah Le Roux and her young family of five to slowly transition into Cold Lake three months before starting work at her new clinic.
—Photo courtesy of Alesha Fallow Photography
Across the province in Spirit River, Dr. Deanna Funk is thrilled with her decision to embrace rural medicine through RhPAP and RESIDE’s support.
“I’m obviously biased but if you talk to any doctor—especially generalist doctors—they will tell you that rural medicine is the best type of medicine and the most interesting. We have the most breadth and diversity in presentations.
“It’s the best job in the world because it’s very rewarding when you get to help people.”