The concept of a primary care network was planted in Dr. Rick Spooner’s head after reading a paper from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. The idea sat and gathered dust until negotiations began between the Alberta Medical Association, Alberta Health and the health regions in 2003. “It was proposed that we start to…
Crystal Degenhardt noticed that there were some mental health patients stuck in a cycle of hospitalization when they didn’t need to be. She wanted to find a way to prevent this cycle and thought a job opportunity at the newly formed Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network in 2005 could hold the answer. “It can’t always…
Janet Schultz had no idea what her job would entail at Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network. She was one of the first employees hired in 2005 and a PCN was a new concept to the health care system in Alberta. “I knew next to nothing about primary care when I first started. I came from…
March 24, 2015: For immediate release Edmonton, AB – The province’s first primary care network is celebrating 10 years of patient care excellence on May 1, 2015. Over the decade, Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network (PCN) has grown to consist of more than 65 member clinics, 230 family physicians, and more than 100 PCN staff….
Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network equipped Dr. Mark Antoniuk with resources offering him the opportunity to accept additional patients to his medical practice. “I’ve actually had new patients who’ve wanted to join my practice because I was part of the PCN. They’ve heard of all these services that are available, and they’ve left other clinics…
When Betty and Orville moved to south Edmonton 30 years ago, they knew they had to find a new family doctor. They consulted with friends and family in the area and opted for a doctor at the Capilano Medical Clinic. As the years crept up on them, the couple began to experience a series of…
Patients often report knowing exactly what lifestyle changes they need to make for improved health, but find their good intentions all too often give way to entrenched behaviours and lifelong habits. Physicians, meanwhile, struggle with the time intensity involved in lifestyle counselling, wondering what more they can do to bridge the gap between what’s agreed…
Robyn Couture is improving her life by achieving one small goal at a time. She decided to change the way her life was heading last year after starting a blog called, Edmonton Tourist, and talking to her niece who had bariatric surgery. In December, Robyn asked her physician to refer her to Weight Wise. “I…
Don Kupina isn’t ashamed to admit that he’s an addict. It’s an addiction he’s been struggling with for most of his life. “If I was a drug addict, I would stop taking drugs and that’s it. If I was a smoker, I would stop smoking. If I was a drinker, I would stop drinking. But…
April 13, 2014: For immediate release Edmonton, AB – Six local Primary Care Networks (PCN) are emphasizing that everyone should “Put a little step in their spring” as an eight-week physical activity challenge is launched today. Get Out, Get Active is challenging participants to virtually walk to Jasper from April 14 to June 8. The…