Flagstaff Recruitment Committee finds new doctors

The Flagstaff Physician Recruitment and Retention committee has successfully recruited one new doctor, and Killam Health Care another, resulting in two new physicians slated to arrive in Flagstaff in the new year.

The committee was started in 2008 in response to a severe doctor shortage in Flagstaff, and to actively address the medical needs of the greater Flagstaff Community.

The committee is made up of one representative from each town council with a hospital, Daysland, Killam, and Hardisty, as well as the site manager from each hospital, with one representative from Flagstaff County.

The committee is wholly funded by Flagstaff County, with 2013’s funding at $72,000.

This figure includes an amount of $18,000 recently approved by Flagstaff County council to help each of the three communities offset the costs of temporary housing for locums and contract nurses up to $500 per month each; while another $30,000 represents $10,000 per community towards recruitment fees.

The new funding allows hospitals in each municipality $1,000/ month for housing for a new doctor, up to six months.

Read the rest of the story in the November 27, 2012 Edition of The Community Press, on newsstands now!