STETTLER NEEDS DOCTORS

Doctor Update March, 25 2025 - An Update on the Collective Efforts Being Made Towards Our Doctor Shortage

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The Health Professionals Attraction and Retention Committee (HPA&R) is making measurable progress in addressing Stettler’s doctor shortage. Two new doctors are now in practice in Stettler, and three more have signed on and begun navigating the assessment process. These successes mark significant progress in stabilizing healthcare services and reflect the committee’s ongoing commitment to ensuring accessible and reliable medical care for the community.

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A joint initiative between the County of Stettler and the Town of Stettler, the HPA&R committee brings together key local stakeholders—including representatives from the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre, Stettler Medical Clinic, Heartland Medical Clinic, Alberta Health Services, and Stettler Needs Doctors.

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With a clear mandate to recruit and retain physicians, the committee is working to establish a sustainable framework that not only addresses the current shortage but also ensures long-term healthcare stability for Stettler and our surrounding area. Following the launch of a new joint Town-County physician incentive program in the summer of 2024, HPA&R has been actively implementing strategies to attract new doctors while supporting those already practicing in the community. At the lead of HPA&R Coordinator, Byron Geddes, the Committee has been diligent over the last several months connecting with doctors and touring them around the Town and County highlighting our recreational amenities, healthcare facilities, beautiful countryside and way of life. These efforts have shown great success so far in securing doctors to start practicing in Stettler throughout this year.

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“We know attracting and retaining physicians is a challenge faced by many rural communities, but through collaboration and dedication we are making meaningful progress. We are incredibly grateful to our existing healthcare professionals for their commitment to patient care and their support in these recruitment efforts. Our community is a fantastic place to live and work, and we will continue working to ensure sustainable, high-quality healthcare for our residents."

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Dean Lovell, Chair, Health Professionals Attraction and Retention Committee.

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While the committee continues to work tirelessly in the recruitment of doctors, we want to acknowledge the hurdles citizens have faced, with many losing their family physicians and having to travel for medical services while navigating emergency room closures.

We express our deep appreciation to all healthcare workers and administration staff at the Stettler Hospital, Stettler Medical Clinic and Heartland Medical Clinic, who have committed to providing the highest level of care to our community throughout this shortage by spending time answering questions, fielding complaints, and filling in service gaps. Their hard work, support and dedication to our community has been instrumental in not only maintaining excellent patient care in our region but also in assisting with physician recruitment efforts. Further, we wish to express our gratitude and acknowledge the years of dedicated service we have received from our current physicians who serve Stettler and our community.

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Dr. Hassan Lockhat - 27 years of service
Dr. Philip Vogel - 23 years of service
Dr. Francois du Toit - 20 years of service
Dr. Martins Agwaze - 16 years of service
Dr. Kimberly Chapman - 9 years of service
Dr. Emé Vermeulen - 3 years of service
Dr. Jaco Vermeulen - 3 years of service
Dr. Oluwamayokun Ojo - 1 year of service

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We also would like to thank our community partners at Stettler Health Services Foundation and Rural Health Professional Action Plan (RhPAP) for their ongoing support and programs which have further supported local physician recruitment.

The HPA&R committee will be providing further introductions to our new physicians in the coming month. We look forward to the opportunity to properly welcome them to our community as they settle in.