Happy New Year!

Once again, I am pleased to highlight a few Camrose Primary Care Network (PCN) success stories from the past year. This year marked the beginning of our 2014-17 Business Plan, approved by Alberta Health in March. This is the fourth business plan for the Camrose PCN and it is by far our most robust plan to date. 

Since 2008 we have seen our physician membership continue to grow. Commencing in April the Camrose PCN had 36 physicians attached to its network. In 2014 the PCN extended its boundaries to include the addition of Dr. Botha in Hardisty, Dr. Ogbiede in Killam and Dr. Muneer in Tofield. In late Fall three new physicians were also recruited to practice at the Camrose Smith Clinic including Dr. Leslie, Dr. Pasha and Dr. Anizoba as well Dr. Makiwane who was recruited to the Daysland Medical Clinic. In 2014 the PCN said goodbye to Dr. Tober who retired in October. We wish him and his family all the best. 

Our healthcare provider team also continued to grow with registered nurses recruited to Killam and Hardisty as well as a licensed practical nurse in Bashaw. The Camrose team also expanded with additions to our team of casual registered nurses supporting our Maternal Newborn Clinic as well as an exercise specialist and chronic disease management nurse lead. 

This multidisciplinary team of family physicians, healthcare providers – each working to their full scope of practice - make up your “health home” serving an estimated 29,000 individuals within the PCN catchment area including the City of Camrose, Camrose, Beaver and Flagstaff County. The team continues to strive to provide collaborative, comprehensive team-based patient care and I am very proud of the work accomplished to date. 

Long standing PCN supported projects such as the Virtual Trek and the Grief & Bereavement one day workshops continued in 2014 and were well received. The PCN also had the privilege of partnering with Wellspring Calgary and Cancer Bridges to organize and host The “Living Your Best Life with Cancer and Beyond” Conference that took place in September. In addition to these events the Camrose PCN presented and attended a variety of community events in Killam, Daysland, Bashaw and Tofield. 

Community awareness and engagement continued to be a focus for the Camrose PCN in 2014. In addition to the PCN’s participation in Camrose Interagency, Flagstaff Family and Community Support Services and the Camrose Physician Attraction and Retention Committee, the PCN also became more engaged in the Hospice Society Camrose & District, Tofield Health Foundation, Camrose Seniors Coalition and Walkable Camrose. 

This focus on collaboration and partnership was no more evident than at the PCN West End Clinic Open House that took place in May. Representatives from Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health and other key community stakeholders were all in attendance to celebrate the opening of our newest clinic space that houses team members that support our women’s health, obstetrics and newborn care and geriatric priority initiatives. A special thank you to the City of Camrose, Camrose County and Flagstaff County for their attendance and support. 

This year the Camrose PCN made it a priority to attend village, town, city and county councils within its catchment area to share information about current PCN programming and discuss how the PCN and rural communities can work together to strengthen and enhance the primary care health outcomes of residents. I would like to thank each of the councils for scheduling time for me on their agendas. I certainly appreciated the opportunity and look forward to returning on an annual basis to provide updates and share success stories. 

At this time I wish to thank the Camrose LPCI Ltd. Board of Directors for their direction and work in ensuring effective governance structures continue to be in place for accountability at all levels within the PCN. PCN accountability and effectiveness remain a priority and goal. 2014 Directors include: Dr. Nichol, Dr. Letley, Dr. Peters, Dr. Bredesen and Dr. Niemann. I also wish to thank our joint governance representatives Andrea Thain Liptak and Leanne Grant for their continued support. I appreciate your level of commitment to the Camrose PCN as well as continued advocating for funding and compensation models that are sufficient and appropriate to support PCN team based care. It is certainly a privilege serving as the Camrose PCN Executive Director. 

In 2015 the PCN will continue to strive to ensure every individual has and is formally linked to a family physician and health home. The Camrose PCN will also continue to focus on patient centered care within each of its priority initiatives including: prevention, chronic disease management, women’s health, obstetrics and newborn care, geriatrics and palliative care. I am excited for 2015 as we look to sustain and strengthen current partnerships as well as initiate and establish new relationships to offer quality primary care. 

Wishing you a prosperous New Year! 
Stacey L. Strilchuk, Executive Director, Camrose Primary Care Network