When Dr. Raphael Elemuo arrives to begin a new medical practice in October, it will be a sign that nearly a year of work by the Creston Valley Health Working Group has been rewarded.
Elemuo has requested to set up his practice in the Osprey Medical Clinic, located in the Creston Valley Mall. Born in Nigeria, Elemuo took his post-secondary education in South Africa. He graduated from the University of Pretoria with a diploma in family medicine in 2004 and added a master’s degree in family medicine to his resume in 2009. He has been an active senior medical officer and family doctor since 2003.
“Dr. Elemuo should be a great fit for Creston, with his skills and background in emergency trauma and family medicine, as well as anaesthesia,” recruiting consultant Marilin States said on Monday.
States said she first made contact with Elemuo in February 2011 through Health Match BC, a provincially funded recruitment service.
“I provided him with photos and information that gave him a sense of the Creston Valley,” she said. “His response was, ‘It looks like God’s gift to the Earth.’ ”
He was looking for a small community to raise his family in and our mountains, fertile valley, lakes and rivers were picture perfect, States said.
“He wants to learn how to fish and he felt this would be a lovely place to bring his very young family to,” she said. Elemuo is married and has a boy and girl, about one and two years old.
Once Elemuo expressed interest in the Creston Valley, he was interviewed by local physicians, including Creston Valley Hospital chief of staff Dr. Randy Grahn, who also interviewed all Elemuo’s references in preparation for suitability for hospital privileges. When it was recommended to the Interior Health Authority (IHA) that it should sponsor his immigration to Canada, specifically to Creston, the wheels began turning.
In early 2011, the IHA had approved his application and recommended his immigration. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) also approved the application.
“Then the wait began,” said States. “This month I got an email that said, ‘It has come! I feel so blessed to be coming to a community such as Creston.’ ”
When Elemuo arrives in Canada, he will first be interviewed by the CPSBC registrar. In preparation for his move, he had to take English language tests to demonstrate his verbal, written and comprehension skills.
“I hope to be meeting with him toward the end of September,” States said. “We will help his family get moved to town and become settled. And we are hoping to arrange for him to shadow some local physicians at first to become familiar with the Canadian medical system.”
Meanwhile, work continues for the health working group and its recruiting consultant. States said she is meeting in the next week with another physician who is considering Creston as his next home.
“With countries around the world all vying to attract doctors it’s very exciting when we can attract the interest of physicians,” she said. “It’s exciting to help them understand what the Creston Valley has to offer.”