June 16, 2021
GRANDE PRAIRIE — Local and area residents have increased access to mental health services with the arrival of another psychiatrist.
Dr. Katrina King began practising in Grande Prairie last month. She is based out of the addiction and mental health offices in the Aberdeen Centre, and is also providing care at the Queen Elizabeth II Regional Hospital.
“Working to improve mental health services has been identified as a priority by both the community and Alberta Health Services (AHS),” says Susan Given, Executive Director of Addiction and Mental Health for AHS North Zone. “We are very pleased to have Dr. King join the AHS addiction and mental health team in Grande Prairie.”
Dr. King becomes the eighth psychiatry specialist in the city.
“The Government of Alberta and AHS are working with community partners to find the physicians required to meet the healthcare needs of local residents. Mental health services play an important role in the overall wellness of Albertans, and our government is committed to ensuring that every Albertan has access to the supports they need,” says Travis Toews, MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti
“It’s important for Grande Prairie and area residents to have access to services locally for their mental health, not just their physical health, especially during this pandemic that’s been hard on all of us,” adds Tracy Allard, MLA for Grande Prairie. “The addition of Dr. King to the local addiction and mental health team is good news for residents.”
Dr. King is originally from Sydney, Australia. She received her medical training at the University of New South Wales in Sydney and did her medical residency at Northern Sydney and Central Coast Health District, also in New South Wales.
With expertise in general psychiatry, Dr. King has a special interest in mood and anxiety disorders, as well as perinatal and bariatric psychiatry.
Dr. King and her husband have called Grande Prairie home since 2017.
“We have a wonderful team of mental health practitioners and specialists in Grande Prairie and am looking forward to being a part of it,” she says.
As part of an overall physician recruitment strategy, AHS has three physician resource planners in the North Zone who are dedicated to identifying and pursuing international and domestic physician recruitment opportunities. These planners work closely with partner organizations, such as the Rural Health Professionals Action Plan, Health Advisory Councils, and local, independent community physician attraction 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
