The physician count in Estevan is now up to 12.
Dr. Anthony Davies was officially welcomed into the Estevan medical community last Thursday. He is establishing a solo practice in the Foundation Medical Building at St. Joseph's Hospital.
Dr. Davies holds additional credentials of being an anesthetist as well as conducting a family physician service.
Davies arrives in Estevan from Arcola, where he had been filling in by providing locum service since July of 2013 and then a full-time medical practice beginning in January of this year.
Davies completed his medical degree in Lagos, Nigeria and also attained his anthesthetist training there. He spent some early years in medical training in Trinidad in the West Indies before moving to Canada.
"I will be in a private, solo practice but will share on call service with all the other physicians, and I look forward to spending a couple of days each week in the operating rooms," he said.
"Dr. Davies joins Dr. Horri as our two anesthetists, which will allow for full time emergency OR coverage, which has been a goal of St. Joseph's Hospital for some time," said Greg Hoffort, St. Joseph's executive director.
Another family physician is expected to arrive in Estevan later this year, said Hoffort.
He credited the collaborative efforts among St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, the participating municipalities, Saskdocs and the Sun Country Health Region's human resources team as being instrumental in the recruitment and retention of physicians in the region and Estevan in particular.
"When the local municipalities first became involved a few short years ago, there was indeed, a crisis in terms of the limited number of physicians practicing in Estevan. The efforts of those involved have been rewarded with an ever-increasing amount of physicians practicing in this city," Hoffort said.
Dr. Davies laughed while mentioning that he has already spent a couple of winters in Saskatchewan, so knows what to expect. He, his wife and two children are settling in now. Davies said he has been taking in new patients since the early part of this month.
