The Creston Valley Health Working Group has announced that Dr. Darryn Storrier will be joining Family Practice Associates in September.
Storrier, with his wife Melissa and their three children, Ethan, Sloan and Cullen, are from South Africa. He said last week he had the choice of many small communities under the province’s Practice Ready Assessment program.
“Creston was the one with the most favorable climate and schooling options for our children,” he said. “We also liked the location with the proximity to the lake.”
A future for their children was why he and Melissa decided to emigrate, he said.
“Our decision to emigrate to Canada came after discussion with colleagues from South Africa that have already made the move. Their positive experience and also the future such a move will offer our children and us was important. We are wary of the future there would be if our children grew up in South Africa given the current political climate and instability.”
Originally from the town of George, on the east coast of South Africa in the Western Cape Province, Storrier said he went into medicine for the opportunities it affords.
“With the medical degree there are just so many doors that open with great opportunities,” he said. “For example, I have worked as a doctor on board cruise ships, as an emergency physician in Ireland and been a family and emergency physician in South Africa.
“And then, there is always the fact that I find the human body and its function extremely interesting and amazing, and by studying the science of medicine I could get better insight into this, and how to assist it back into its ‘normal’ functioning state using the science of medicine.”
Wine and outdoor recreation are important to his family, he said.
“Both Melissa and I really enjoy exploring new wines and pairing them with foods, and are excited to try out the wines that BC has to offer. And we enjoy spending time outdoors as a family doing water sports and also leisurely cycles and walks. Our family has never done skiing and we are really excited to try this out.”
Marilin States, a recruiter for the Health Working Group, said that Storrier, having successfully completed and passed the nearly four-month process by the BC Practice Ready Assessment program, including examinations and clinical practice in rural BC, will provide a 3-year return of service in Creston.
“With a solid background in family practice medicine prior to his BC assessment, Dr. Storrier will be a valuable addition to our physician complement,” she added.
“Throughout the process, Dr. Storrier has commented how much he appreciates the way Creston has made he and his family feel welcome. We are very hopeful he continues to feel embraced by the community at large, and that he will stay in Creston as a permanent physician following his return of service.”
Starting September 4th, Dr. Storrier will commence providing clinical care as a family physician at Family Practice Associates.