The four newest doctors in Weyburn began work at the new Primary Care Clinic on Monday, and will be meeting members of the public today, Feb. 5, at a meet-and-greet at the clinic at MNP Place from 2-4 and 5-7 p.m.
The four newest doctors in Weyburn began work at the new Primary Care Clinic on Monday, and will be meeting members of the public today, Feb. 5, at a meet-and-greet at the clinic at MNP Place from 2-4 and 5-7 p.m.
The doctors are part of the health care teams put together by the Sun Country Health Region to offer a new model for health care where they will offer continuous treatment and management of health issues for each patient.
The doctors include Dr. Sameh Ekladious, Dr. Fady Ghaly and Dr. Lillian Narouz, all formerly of Egypt, and Dr. Adanna Ejeckam, originally from Nigeria.
All four have been in Canada for about two years, and were able to obtain their licence to practice here by going through the provincial government's SIPPA program (Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment), and the physicians all had high praise for the help given them.
Dr. Ekladious and Dr. Narouz both spent time in Mississauga, Ont., before finding out about the opportunities available in the Sun Country Health Region, and specifically in Weyburn. Dr. Ghaly lived in both Ontario and Alberta prior to arriving here, and Dr. Ejeckam lived in Qatar for four years before coming to Canada, and living in Calgary for the past two years where she had family before finding out about the SIPPA program and the need in Weyburn for a physician.
The doctors first visited Weyburn some six months ago, prior to taking the SIPPA program, and Dr. Ekladious said, "I saw it was a good place for my kids, and even for myself and my wife, as we are both physicians. Weyburn is a good community to begin a new practice."
His wife is still working on her exams, and will soon be joining her husband in Weyburn.
"I found people in Weyburn are like a big family. In Mississauga, people are very busy and don't have time to talk with you," he added, noting his children have enjoyed the opportunities they have found in Canada, with his oldest attending McMaster University, and a daughter is in Grade 11.
Dr. Ghaly and his wife have found Weyburn to be exceptionally welcoming as a good place for a family, with two young daughters in elementary school.
"I find Canada to be a very safe place," he said, adding praise of the SIPPA program.
"I find it's a very organized program, with good cooperation between the College (of Physicians and Surgeons) and the health regions, to make everything easy for the candidates," said Dr. Ghaly.
He pointed out the help given to all of them by the City of Weyburn and the Chamber of Commerce was invaluable to helping them get settled into the community. "You don't find that in every place; this is something good. Being here at the Primary Health Clinic is a good experience, and I hope we can do something good for the community."
Dr. Narouz added that people like Jeff Richards of the Chamber of Commerce has been helpful in finding them places to live, and schools for their children; her son is now a student at St. Michael School.
"We like being in a place that's quiet with not much traffic," she said, comparing Weyburn with Mississauga.
Dr. Ejeckam agreed, saying she likes how Weyburn is very family-oriented, and credited Coun. Laura Morrissette for helping her and her family get settled in.
"Everybody has been so helpful," said Dr. Ejeckam.
"We believe we are blessed to be in such a nice clinic," added Dr. Ekladious.
