December 22, 2020
GRANDE PRAIRIE – Local residents have increased access to care with the arrival of two new specialist physicians now practising in the city.
Dr. Robert Cameron Herman is a general nephrologist and internist, pracitising at the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Hospital and Peace Country Medical Consultants Inc. General nephrologists specialize in kidney care and kidney disease. Internal medicine specialists specialize in the diagnosis and management of chronic, adult medical conditions.
Also new to Grande Prairie is Dr. Daniel Prada, a geriatric physician who provides care to elderly patients with a wide range of healthcare needs, including physical and cognitive impairments.
“This is wonderful news for Grande Prairie,” says Health Minister Tyler Shandro. “It’s great to see physicians choosing to practise in northern Alberta where there’s so much need for them. The new hospital is beautiful and it’s state-of-the-art, but this is a reminder that healthcare is about people, and this will help ensure that the system in Grande Prairie continues to give great care.”
“Specialist physicians are an important part of the healthcare system and welcoming two to the Grande Prairie area this month is great news for our community,” adds Travis Toews, MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti.
“On behalf of Grande Prairie and area residents, I’d like to welcome Dr. Herman and Dr. Prada to our community,” says Tracy Allard, MLA for Grande Prairie. “We are excited to have them share their skills and knowledge to support patients and the local medical team.”
Prior to moving here, Dr. Prada worked as chief resident for the Rural Family Medicine Resident program at the University of Alberta. Along with other management roles in healthcare, Dr. Prada is also trained as a family medicine physician, including in rural health medicine, and completed his family medicine residency at the QEII Hospital, before completing his geriatric training at the University of Alberta.
“It is great news to have Dr. Prada join our seniors health team in Grande Prairie,” says Dr. James Pope, Facility Medical Director at the QEII Hospital. “He will be a great support to our elderly population and their loved ones.”
Dr. Herman has worked as a locum/visiting physician at the QEII Hospital since July. Prior to working at the QEII Hospital, Dr. Herman worked in Edmonton, including at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital and the Misericordia Community Hospital. He graduated from medical school at the University of Alberta.
“To be able to welcome Dr. Herman to our community on a more permanent basis is great news for the hospital and great news for area residents,” adds Dr. Pope.
Outside of his practice, Dr. Herman says he enjoys alpine skiing, mountain biking, hockey, golf and camping. He and his wife have one child and two dogs. He says he enjoys spending time with his family and having easy access to the outdoors.
Dr. Prada is from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and moved to Calgary in 2011. When he’s not working, he says he enjoys tennis, which he has played since he was six years old. He and his wife, Andrea, have been married for 13 years and they have a daughter.
“Welcoming two specialist physicians to Grande Prairie this month shows that while there is still work to be done, progress is being made on our physician recruitment efforts,” says Dr. Albert Harmse, Acting Zone Medical Director for the AHS North Zone.
AHS continues to recruit for family physicians across northern Alberta 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 local Health Advisory Councils, 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. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
