“Creston is about to welcome another family physician to our component,” recruiter Marilin States announced last week.
Dr. Sheena McKellar will be taking up practice at the Blue Heron Medical Clinic, joining Dr. Tara Guthrie and Dr. Sue Hopkins in late April.
McKellar got her first taste of Creston when she requested a Rural Family Medicine elective at Blue Heron. She needed the elective to complete her studies at the University of Calgary Medical School, and got both clinical and hospital experience during her stay.
When McKellar expressed an interest in relocating her family, which includes a husband and young child, Guthrie turned to the Creston Valley Health Working Group for assistance.
“There are a lot of details that have to be worked through, and we have the experience that makes the process easier for us than someone who doesn’t have a lot of extra time to wade through the documentation,” States said. She described the process to add McKellar to the Creston roster of physicians as “a collaborative effort between Drs. Guthrie and Hopkins and the Creston Valley Health Working Group.
“We trust that the community will be welcoming to Dr. McKellar and her family as they settle into the Creston Valley,” States added.
Mayor Ron Toyota, who has been a member of the CVHWG since he was first elected, welcomed McKellar’s decision.
“It is an honour to play a part in this vital and very successful service to our community,” he said. “We are fortunate to have families like Dr. McKellar’s see what a wonderful place the Creston Valley is for people of all ages.”
Area residents who can request an intake form at Blue Heron Medical Clinic, which is located at 203-1230 Canyon Street, during regular clinic hours from 9-4, Monday through Thursday. Preference will be given to those who do not have a local doctor.