An Alberta community that learned the importance of maintaining a connection with physicians and their families has been recognized for their efforts.
On 18 March 2015, representatives of the Vegreville Region Physician Attraction and Retention Committee were presented with the 2014 Alberta Rural Community Physician Attraction and Retention Award at the Rural Alberta Community Physician Attraction and Retention Conference in Edmonton. The Vegreville committee, which represents both the Town of Vegreville and surrounding County of Minburn, was selected for the award by the RPAP Board of Directors because of its collaborative and grassroots approach towards addressing a physician shortage, and its retention focus.
According to RPAP Executive Director, David Kay, the Vegreville committee stays connected with physicians and their families during the initial recruitment stage and beyond, which has led to great success in both recruiting and retaining physicians.
“You’re not just recruiting a physician to the practice; you’re recruiting a family to the community. Active participation by the Vegreville community beyond the recruitment stage has ensured that both families and physicians integrate successfully into the community,” added Kay.
The Alberta Rural Community Physician Attraction and Retention Award, sponsored annually by the Alberta Rural Physician Action Plan (RPAP), was created in 2007 to recognize rural Alberta communities that have best developed innovative and collaborative approaches resulting in successful physician attraction and retention. This community engagement work is an integral part of RPAP’s comprehensive and integrated recruitment, attraction and retention programming.
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