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Local Sylvan Lake committee welcomes six new physicians

Each of the family doctors relocated to Sylvan Lake by HART has committed to stay in the community for five years
hart-2025-team-photo
The Sylvan Lake Healthcare Attraction and Retention Team (HART). Standing (left to right): Susan Samson, Kandis Orge, Emily Chase, Nicole Hand, Councilor Teresa Rilling, Marian George, and Mayor Megan Hanson. Sitting (Left to Right): Onsy Tawadrous, and Klaas Van Veller.

In 2024, the volunteer-based Healthcare Attraction and Retention Committee (HART) supported six family physicians who relocated to Sylvan Lake. 

HART works closely with Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) to attract and retain health professionals in Sylvan Lake. 

Each of the family doctors relocated to Sylvan Lake by HART has committed to stay in the community for five years, practice in a Sylvan Lake Doctor's clinic, and take regular shifts at the Advanced Ambulatory Care Service (AACS). 

"From providing airport pickups to ensuring that the physicians and their families had everything they needed to settle in, HART worked hard to ensure their smooth transition and integration into Sylvan Lake," said committee chair Nicole Hand. 

This year for HART has been full of meaningful community engagement, initiatives, and success stories. 

"One of our most successful projects was the Healthcare Heroes campaign, where community members were invited to share notes of thanks on banners that were displayed at medical clinics throughout Sylvan Lake," Hand said.

"This initiative not only showed appreciation for the healthcare professionals who work tirelessly for the community, but it also helped foster a sense of gratitude and unity in Sylvan Lake."

Hosting healthcare professionals at a Sylvan Lake Gulls Game during Healthcare Appreciation Week was another success, Hand said. 

"This event was a fun and lighthearted way to bring together healthcare workers and their families, allowing them to relax, connect with others in the field, and feel appreciated for their hard work."

Another big change the committee had this year was a name change, Hand said. 

"The decision to rebrand from the previous long-winded name to "HART" was about simplifying our identity while better reflecting the heart of the work we do."

"The name HART is more than just an acronym; it embodies the warmth, passion, and dedication that drive our efforts to support healthcare professionals who choose to live and work in Sylvan Lake."

To do all the work in the community that HART does, the committee is funded by the local Urgent Care Committee. 

The work also wouldn't be possible without all the hard work and dedication of the committee's volunteer members.

Current committee members include: Hand, Susan Samson, Marian George, Klass Van Veller, Kandis Orge, Mayor Megan Hanson, Councilor Teresa Rilling, Onsy Tawadrous, and Emily Chase. 

"Together, we will continue to make Sylvan Lake a healthier, more connected place for all," Hand said. 

HART also works closely with the municipal government and other community partners. 

"This year, we’ve continued to work closely with the town council, local administration, and community partners to ensure that both recruits and long-term professionals have the resources and support they need to thrive," Hand said. 

"We’ve also focused on helping healthcare workers integrate into the community, connecting them with local organizations, activities, and services. These efforts help create a sense of home for newcomers, ensuring that they not only find a place to work but also a place to build meaningful connections and relationships." 

With its new name and a renewed sense of purpose, HART is committed to the mission of attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in Sylvan Lake.

"Our team remains dedicated to ensuring that Sylvan Lake is a place where healthcare professionals can flourish, feel supported, and be an integral part of the community," Hand said. 

This year, HART will begin sharing monthly stories to spotlight some of Sylvan Lake's local healthcare heroes and the programs that make a difference in the community. 

"This new initiative will allow us to highlight the compassionate individuals and impactful programs, like the Social Prescribing program, that contribute to making Sylvan Lake a healthier, happier place to live," Hand said. 

"By sharing these stories, the HART team hopes to inspire others and celebrate the dedication of those working to improve our community’s well-being."



Sarah Baker

About the Author: Sarah Baker

I joined Black Press in March 2023 and am looking forward to sharing stories about the local communities.
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