September 12, 2024
WAINWRIGHT - Local residents will have increased access to obstetrical care this fall with the arrival of two newly recruited physicians in the community.
Dr. Claire Marais is a general practitioner with obstetrical surgical skills who will be practising at Wainwright Medical Clinic and the Wainwright Health Centre. Dr. Marais received her medical degree in South Africa, and worked as both a rural family physician, and in obstetrics and emergency medicine at a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, before coming to Canada. Individuals needing a family doctor can call 780-842-3341 to arrange a meet-and-greet appointment with Dr. Marais.
Dr. Inusa Amike is a general practitioner with obstetrical surgical skills who will be practising at Brilz Associate Clinic and Wainwright Health Centre. Dr. Amike received his medical education and practised in Nigeria prior to coming to Canada. Individuals needing a family doctor can call 780-842-5829 to arrange a meet-and-greet appointment with Dr. Amike.
Both physicians will begin offering obstetrical care services this fall.
"We are very pleased to welcome both Dr. Marais and Dr. Amike to Wainwright," says Garth Rowswell, MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright. “They are a welcome addition to the local care team, and their skills and expertise will not only help increase access to obstetrics care for residents but will also provide more support to our current physicians.”
There are now 13 physicians in Wainwright, including seven at Wainwright Medical Clinic and two at Brilz Associate Clinic.
Dr. Marais says she and her husband love rural living, and Wainwright has so much to offer.
"The people have been so welcoming and kind to us. We have settled in well and look forward to planting our roots and raising our daughter here," says Dr. Marais, whose hobbies include off-road motorcycling, skiing, hunting, hiking, golf and fishing.
"The community is wonderful, accommodating and supportive. Practising here affords me the opportunity to provide continuity of care for my patients as I did when I was a family physician in Nigeria," says Dr. Amike, whose hobbies include soccer and reading.
Alberta Health Services continues to recruit for physicians across the Central Zone to meet community needs. AHS has physician resource planners who are dedicated to identifying and pursuing international and domestic physician recruitment opportunities. They work closely with various community partners and organizations, such as the Rural Health Professions Action Plan, and independent physician recruitment and retention committees.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
