New Doctor Set to Arrive in Swan River in March 2014

ValleyBiz Story |

Prairie Mountain Health has confirmed that a new physician will be establishing a medical practice in Swan River.

Dr. Seyed Sarsari is in the final stages of completing his requirements within the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Assessment Program in order to obtain his conditional license from the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Sarsari is expected to arrive in Swan River in March 2014 and it is anticipated he will be in a position to begin seeing patients in April 2014. In addition to seeing his own patients, Dr. Sarsari will also be caring for patients in the Hospital and Personal Care Homes and participating in Emergency Room on call schedule.

“Prairie Mountain Health remains committed to the recruitment and retention of qualified health care professionals.” stated Penny Gilson, CEO, of Prairie Mountain Health. “One of our recruitment strategies has been to actively participate in the IMG Program, which assists foreign-trained physicians to obtain medical licensure and practice as primary care physicians in Manitoba.”

International Medical Graduates who participate in the program, which in most cases takes up to a year to complete, sign Return of Service agreements with the sponsoring health region. There are four IMG physicians who have committed to working within the Prairie Mountain Health Region once they complete the program this spring and all have signed Return of Service Agreements for three years.

There are currently 4 additional vacancies posted in Swan River for General Practitioners and General Practitioners with additional training.

“Prairie Mountain Health recognizes the importance of Swan Valley Health Centre and we continue to work with health care professionals to provide care as close to home as possible. We want to ensure that the Emergency Room in Swan River is fully-staffed, and that services like Hemodialysis and Chemotherapy are not impacted by a shortage of physicians, or other health care professionals, if at all possible.” stated Gilson.