File photo.
The Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre is welcoming a new anesthesiologist who is now available to provide care to patients across Central Alberta.
Dr. Patrick Agbanu has joined the anesthesia team at Red Deer Regional Health Centre. He is one of 16 anesthesiologists now practising in the facility.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) said in a media release that the arrival of the new anesthesiologist will help improve surgical services for patients in Red Deer and throughout Central Alberta.
“The recruitment of Dr. Agbanu will improve access to surgical services for patients in Red Deer and across central Alberta. This is great news for our growing city and surrounding areas,” said Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health and MLA for Red Deer-North.
Agbanu received his medical education in Nigeria and practised as an anesthesiologist in South Africa prior to coming to Canada.
“I wanted to work in Alberta and AHS miraculously posted me to this beautiful city of Red Deer. I love it here,” Agbanu said.
In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, traveling, and chess.
“Red Deer is the third largest city in the best province in Canada,” said Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South. “It is good to see medical professionals coming to Red Deer to serve families and individuals in our wonderful community.”
AHS is continuing to recruit physicians across Alberta to meet community needs. AHS has physician resource planners who are dedicated to identifying and pursuing international and domestic physician recruitment opportunities. They work closely with various community partners and organizations, such as the Rural Health Professions Action Plan, and independent physician recruitment and retention committees.