Staff at a Rocky Mountain House medical clinic are "heartbroken and devastated" over the death of a young physician and her mother in a fatal collision on Monday.
Dr. Sarah Walton was working at Rocky Medical Clinic as part of her family medicine residency training and was pursuing a career in emergency medicine.
"Growing up in our community, she touched the hearts of many with her warmth, compassion, and unwavering joy," the clinic posted on its Facebook page on Tuesday.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Walton family during this difficult time. We will remember her kindness and the light she brought into the lives of her patients and co-workers."
Walton worked as a nurse at the local hospital "before bravely pursuing her dream of becoming a physician," says the clinic.
Dr. Walton, 29, and her mother Lucy Walton, 58, died at the scene of a two-vehicle collision on Highway 11 at Range Road 35, west of Sylvan Lake at about 2:15 p.m. Monday.
Two other people from a pickup were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Walton had also been involved with Community Health International Health and Learning Development (CHILD) a non-profit society that helps children in Haiti, South Africa and India.
CHILD said Walton had worked as a registered nurse in Edmonton before joining the organization where she used her interest in nutrition, children's education and global health to help others.
Walton was one of four recipients of the RhPAP (Rural Health Physicians Action Plan) 2020 Rural Medical School Award, which provided $5,000 to help them with their studies towards rural practice.
Her RhPAP profile said she grew up in Rocky Mountain House and while working for three years as a registered nurse at Rocky Mountain Health Centre decided to become a doctor and enrolled in University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine.
In a profile on RhPAP's website, she enthusiastically described her experiences as a physician-in-training in her home community.
“In a rural environment like Rocky, you are the [Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit] team, you are the [respiratory therapist], you are everything. So, although this can be daunting, I think this inevitably leads to more growth and confidence as a practitioner.”
RCMP are continuing to investigate the collision.
