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Cranbrook welcomes new family physician
Family physician Dr. Jordan Wolff has joined the team at Cranbrook’s Associate Clinic, marking another success for the East Kootenay Division of Family Practice’s physician recruitment task force.
A recent graduate of his family practice residency at the University of Alberta, Dr. Wolff moved to Cranbrook in late September accompanied by his wife and children. In July, Dr. Karen Fordham joined the community.
“I, along with my family, am very happy to be here,” said Dr. Wolff. “We look forward to making Cranbrook our home.”
“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Wolff to Cranbrook,” said Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett. “The addition of a new doctor in the region means greater accessibility to primary care for many residents needing a physician, and is a vital part of people achieving and maintaining good health.”
The East Kootenay Division of Family Practice initiated the physician recruitment task force as part of its A GP for Me work. A GP for Me is a joint initiative of the Government of B.C. and Doctors of B.C. that aims to improve access to primary care and help British Columbians who want a family doctor to find one. The initiative is being implemented locally by divisions of family practice, including the East Kootenay Division of Family Practice, which are non-profit community-based groups of family doctors committed to improving primary care.
The family physician recruitment task force is a collaboration of the East Kootenay Division, Interior Health Authority, the Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce, the City of Cranbrook, the Regional District of East Kootenay, and the College of the Rockies. The task force develops short-term solutions and long-term strategies to address community-wide physician vacancies.
The task force’s Red Carpet Committee is one of those strategies.
It helps family doctors decide whether the community is a good match for them and their families. Visiting doctors have the opportunity to tour local clinics and regional recreation amenities, and meet with representatives from schools and other community organizations.
The task force also organizes a welcoming event where visiting doctors can meet with community leaders, local family physicians, and others, depending upon their interest.
“It is wonderful to have Dr. Wolff join the Associate Medical Clinic,” said Dr. Ross Dawson, Division lead for recruitment and retention and practising physician at the clinic. “He fills a need in the clinic as well as the community.”
About the East Kootenay Division of Family Practice
The East Kootenay Division of Family Practice is a non-profit society whose membership comprises 102 family doctors who support patients in the communities of Cranbrook, Creston, Fernie, Kimberley, Golden, and Invermere. The Division has received A GP for Me funding to improve the local primary care system. www.divisionsbc.ca/east-kootenay
About A GP for Me
A GP for Me is a joint initiative of the Government of BC and Doctors of BC – formerly the BC Medical Association – aimed at strengthening the health care system by supporting the relationship between patients and family doctors. Research shows continuous doctor-patient relationships lead to the best health outcomes for patients. www.agpforme.ca
About the Divisions of Family Practice
The Divisions of Family Practice initiative is funded by a joint committee of the BC Ministry of Health and Doctors of BC. There are 34 Divisions of Family Practice in B.C. that encompass more than 220 communities.
East Kootenay Division of Family Practice
