The Stettler-region Health Professional Attraction and Retention (HPA&R) Committee is proud to announce the tremendous success of the community’s ongoing efforts of overcoming our local physician shortage.

In the spring of 2024, Stettler faced a significant challenge wit h only six practicing physicians, less than half of the 14 doctors needed to meet our community’s population needs. Today, just over a year later, the picture has changed dramatically.

As of Sept. 2025, Stettler now has 13 doctors actively practicing in the community, an outstanding achievement that reflects the power of collaboration, creativity, and commitment.

This success is the direct result of a true community partnership. The HPA&R Committee includes representatives from the Town and County of Stettler, the Stettler Needs Doctors group, Heartland Medical Clinic, Stettler Medical Clinic, the Stettler Hospital and RhPAP (Rural Health Professions Action Plan) along with an HPA& R Coordinator Byron Geddes from the Stettler Regional Board of Trade (BOT).

The Stettler Health Services Foundation also plays a vital supporting role, alongside unwavering dedication from our local physicians, health care staff, and community volunteers. In 2024 and into 2025, residents and visitors endured the difficulties of doctor shortages , many temporary emergency room closures and several shortages in obstetrics which took maternity patients to neighbouring communities to deliver.

“What we’ve learned through this doctor shortage process is that we have an amazing and welcoming community who is not afraid to think and work outside of the box. And also, that doctors bring doctors,” said Dean Lovell, Chair of the HPA&R Committee. “The medical community’s willingness to support recruitment, refer colleagues, and welcome new practitioners has been extraordinary.

“Our success belongs to everyone who leaned in, stayed patient, and believed in a community -driven approach.”

The HPA&R Committee’s strategy included combined joint commitment incentives from the Town and County, curated recruitment efforts from local business owners and our community, interest free loans from the Stettler Health Services Foundation, and a doctor informational website and referral program from the Stettler Needs Doctors group.

“This multi pronged, community-based model has proven, that when a region rallies together, it can solve even the most pressing challenges ,” added Dean Lovell. As an added benefit, Stettler has not experienced any ER closures for several months This is a positive shift that has improved access to care for residents, reduced stress for health care staff, and kept our ambulances serving patients locally rather than moving them to hospitals outside of our region . Residents who are still seeking a family doctor are encouraged to contact either Heartland Medical Clinic or Stettler Medical Clinic directly.

While new doctors often go through phases of opening and closing their bookings as they take on more patients the chances of finding a physician in the Stettler region have greatly improved. “We are not aware of another community of our size that has achieved this level of recruitment success in just 12 months,” added Chair Dean Lovell.

“The Stettler region rose to the challenge and in our opinion, knocked it out of the park.” The HPA&R Committee continue s to meet regularly to plan and prepare for the future health care needs of our community, ensuring this success story continues and identifying, planning and preparing for future challenges.”