Dr. Alain Lenferna of Weyburn has been appointed as the acting vice-president, medical, for the Sun Country Health Region, the first physician to hold this newly-created position.

Dr. Lenferna, who has practised in Weyburn since 1993, will also serve as Sun Country's Chief of Staff, said Cal Tant, CEO of Sun Country, pointing out the new position essentially takes this position and adds to it.

As Chief of Staff, he had the responsibility for ensuring quality patient care is delivered at all times in Sun Country.

In addition to overseeing their physicians, regional health care authorities are now also overseeing other health practitioners such as chiropractors, dentists and podiatrists, as well as midwives, which were recently approved by Sask. Health.

The health region will no longer have a medical advisory committee, said Tant, but will have a practitioner advisory committee for the entire Sun Country region. The committee will oversee the granting of privileges and credentials for those who are chiropractors, dentists and podiatrists, and through this body will report to the vice-president who reports to the CEO.

Tant said he doesn't have the expertise to oversee medical practitioners, but he will rely on his vice-president, Dr. Lenferna, who will ensure all criteria and standards are met for quality patient care by these practitioners.

As such, Dr. Lenferna will be the senior medical officer for the Sun Country Health Region, said Tant. "We are very pleased that Dr. Lenferna has agreed to bring his expertise to assist health care professionals throughout the entire region."

His position will be part-time in nature, and he will continue to maintain his medical practice in Weyburn.

Dr. Lenferna came to Weyburn in 1993 after leaving his private practice in South Africa. He was trained at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, graduating in 1984.