Two new doctors will soon call Assiniboia home

The Red Coat Primary Health Care Clinic in Assiniboia will soon have a full complement of physicians to meet the needs of residents in the area.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) recently recruited Dr. Mehdi Shahsavan and Dr. Mehdi Teimoori to join the medical team in the southwest Saskatchewan community. Both doctors will join Dr. Saad Bahodi and Raegan Rassmussen, a nurse practitioner, at the clinic starting Sept. 9.

Shahsavan is from Iran, where he received his medical degree at Islamic Azad University. He has more than 15 years’ experience practising medicine in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and emergency departments, according to an SHA news release.

Since 2015, Shahsavan has been undergoing international medical graduate training in British Columbia, which has enhanced his understanding of the Canadian medical system. He comes to Assiniboia with his wife Elham.

Teimoori, also from Iran, received his medical degree at the Iran University of Medical Sciences and brings more than 20 years of experience as a family and emergency physician. He has been expanding his knowledge of the Canadian medical system in Montreal since 2018. Teimoori and his family enjoy activities such as writing, swimming, cycling and travelling. He comes to Assiniboia with his wife, Fatemeh, and sons Arshia and Ilia.

Cara McDavid, the SHA’s director of primary care for southwest Saskatchewan, thought it was wonderful to recruit new physicians to the community and area. She told the Moose Jaw Express that the health-care clinic had two other physicians whose contracts expired in May. However, one doctor stayed on over the summer to ensure there was coverage until the new physicians arrived.

“It’s really great that the community will have that service available in the same way,” McDavid said. Shahsavan and Teimoori will both be on a three-year contract while working in Assiniboia. McDavid thought that was great since it gave them enough time to settle into the community and make it their home. Although a three-year contract isn’t very long, she pointed out the SHA hopes that all health professionals — including doctors — will remain in their communities and continue their practices. “People do make decisions in terms of their professional direction and futures. We also respect that if they choose to shift their practice somewhere else,” McDavid continued.

The SHA’s primary goal is to ensure residents have medical services as close to home as possible, she added. That could mean finding a replacement or support to continue health-care services in the community. Residents in outlying areas — such as Mossbank, Coronach and Willow Bunch — will be able to access care at the Redcoat clinic.

McDavid acknowledged it is challenging for the SHA to recruit to rural areas. The organization was lucky that the two doctors accepted contracts to work in Assiniboia.

To book an appointment at the Red Coat Primary Health Clinic call 306-642- 4454.