WESTLOCK — There’s a new doctor now helping Westlock residents with their healthcare needs.
Thirty-three-year-old Dr. Kelechi Olumba is practising family medicine at the Pembina Medical Clinic and the Westlock Healthcare Centre, and joins a team of 13 other family medicine physicians and four specialists in the community.
He and his young family moved to town at the end of July.
“I look forward to meeting new people, trying new food and being part of the community,” said Dr. Olumba. “It’s a beautiful community, the people are lovely and there’s a lot of cultural differences here, people from all parts of the world which is really encouraging.
Originally from Imo State, Nigeria, where he completed his medical training at Madonna University, he and his family moved to Canada in 2021 before choosing Westlock to live and work.
“I chose Westlock because of the (warm) reception I got when I came for site visits from the mayor, from physicians and the community,” he said, noting he applied to five other communities in rural Alberta including Valleyview, High Level and Red Deer. “I felt more at home and people were welcoming so that was a major thing that attracted me to Westlock.
He began practising family medicine in early August and said he will also be providing emergency care at the hospital and acute care for his patients there, in addition to seeing patients in long-term care.
Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken said via an Alberta Health Services press release that he’s pleased to welcome Dr. Olumba.
“Family physicians play a vital role in the healthcare system and his arrival will help improve access to primary care for local residents,” said van Dijken.
Olumba said he looks forward to helping residents in Westlock, particularly in the area of mental health, where he feels there is a need for more focused care.
“Something I’m also looking into is (taking) some more courses on pediatric psychiatry,” he said. “The mental health crisis is going on across Canada, so I just want to see how I will be able to help these people out.”
Associate zone medical director for Alberta Health Services (AHS) Dr. Firdaus Mydeen says Dr. Olumba is a great addition.
“His arrival will help support our local medical team and we are pleased to welcome him,” said Mydeen.
