WESTLOCK — A new family medicine physician who immigrated to Canada from Africa roughly five years ago is now practicing at the Westlock Healthcare Centre and at the Associate Medical Clinic.
According to an Alberta Health Services news release, Dr. Emmanuel Omo-Osagie Ayoson has joined the team of 14 other family medicine physicians practicing in the community.
“It is great news to welcome Dr. Ayoson to our community,” said Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken. “We are fortunate to have him and I look forward to the positive impact he will make in our lives.
As noted in the release, Dr. Ayoson was born and raised in Okpella, a small community in Edo State, which is itself located in the South-South region of Nigeria.
Dr. Ayoson obtained his undergraduate medical education and completed his residence in his home country of Nigeria.
He immigrated to Canada in 2018 and lived in Manitoba before moving to Westlock.
Dr. Firdaus Mydeen, associate zone medical director for the North Zone of AHS, said, “We are extremely pleased to have (Dr. Ayoson) join our team of healthcare professionals, and look forward to the exceptional care and contributions he will bring to our patients and colleagues.”
As noted in the release, Dr. Ayoson’s interests outside of medicine include cycling, tennis, game hunting, cooking, juggling, singing and reading.
The release notes that physician resource planners with AHS continue to recruit physicians to fill vacancies across northern Alberta to meet community needs.
They work closely with various community partners and organizations such as local Health Advisory councils, the Rural Health Professions Action Plan and independent physician attraction and retention committees.
