Town declares local recognition of Family Doctor Day

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

During a special meeting of council, May 13, the Town of Strathmore officially proclaimed May 19 to be recognized as Family Doctor Day.

Through the declaration, council is aiming to express an additional avenue of support for local physicians and their contributions to the community.

CAO Kevin Scoble explained town administration took the opportunity to develop the declaration and bring it forward to council, meeting their strategic priorities relating to medical services within the community.

“This proclamation is something that is just an honour to bring forward. We love and value our doctors in town and we are so blessed to have many new doctors and continuing doctors,” said Coun. Richard Wegener, after making the motion to pass the declaration.

The Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) is celebrating the global recognition of World Family Doctor Day and has put out a request for municipalities to join them.

The World Organization of Family Doctors first declared the commemoration of World Family Doctor Day in 2010, acknowledging the contributions of family doctors in health care systems around the world.

ACFP Executive Director, Terri Potter, described in a statement, 70 per cent of health care which is provided in Alberta is done so by family doctors.

“World Family Doctor Day is a day to acknowledge the central role and contribution of family doctors in their patients’ lives,” said Potter. “Now more than ever, we need to celebrate and recognize family doctors who have been, for the majority of Albertans, their constant health care provider in an ever-changing and over-burdened system.”

Following suit, the Government of Alberta made a similar declaration, May 17, of World Family Doctor Day to be recognized, May 19, throughout the province.

“I greatly appreciate the long serving doctors in our community and the various clinics and the fact that they put so much time in their hospital rounds, as well as taking emergency room shifts, and we welcome the new doctors who have come to our community,” added Mayor Pat Fule. “I think we as a town and our town residents really respect the doctors in our community and this is one good way to recognize them.”

Family Docs Rock! is a public awareness campaign similarly honouring and recognizing the contributions of family doctors and their unique relationships with their patients.

For those wishing to get involved with the movement, stories are able to be shared with them online via their website.