Calgary Doctor Takes Top Doc Honours as Alberta's Family Physician of the Year
The Alberta College of Family Physicians Honours Excellence in Family Medicine
EDMONTON, Oct. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) is pleased to announce that Dr. Rita Dahlke of Calgary is Alberta's Family Physician of the Year for 2014. Recipients of this prestigious award are chosen by their peers for making significant contributions to the health and well-being of their communities, dedicating themselves to the education of future generations of family doctors, and most importantly, for providing exceptional care to their patients.
"Dr. Dahlke practises medicine with an uncommon compassion, uncompromising courage, and an authentic concern for her patients as both clinician and population-based health advocate. She has risen to the challenge of caring for the marginalized and the disenfranchised while at the same time advocating for, and achieving, foundational systemic change for underserved populations in Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories," says colleague Dr. Jazmin Marlinga. "Dr. Dahlke has studied, excelled, and led becoming one of the most influential physicians in the NWT and the Calgary inner city."
Dr. Rita Dahlke earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of British Columbia, graduating in 1978. She moved to Ontario to complete a rotating internship and a year of anesthesia. Shortly after, Dr. Dahlke practised in Hay River, Northwest Territories starting from 1981 providing full family practice skills including obstetrics, anesthesia, and emergency coverage until 1998. She was very involved with the NWT Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Association. In 2002, Dr. Dahlke moved to Calgary and most of her work has been with the Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS), a not for profit serving Calgary's homeless and marginalized peoples.
Along with Alberta's Family Physician of the Year announcement, the ACFP is pleased to honour the following recipients for this year's Awards programs:
Recognition of Excellence
Dr. Andrew Eddy, Calgary
ACFP New Professional Award
Dr. Tally Mogus, Calgary
Family Medicine Resident Leadership Award
Dr. Alim Nagji, University of Alberta
ACFP Student Leadership - Rising Star Award
Lee Rehak, University of Alberta
Shaye Lafferty, University of Calgary
"As family physicians, we are in a unique position where the relationships we build with our patients, their families, and our communities can span over generations," said Dr. Pat Smith, ACFP President. "Our recipients have had a significant and positive impact on the community—their leadership has and will continue to inspire our membership across Alberta and the country."
The ACFP's Awards Program reviews nominations on an annual basis and recognizes dedicated students, family medicine residents, and family physicians. The Call for Nominations for 2015 opens on, November 10, 2014, which kicks off the 10th annual Family Doctor Week in Canada, November 10th to the 15th. In celebration of Alberta family physicians, the ACFP is accepting patient stories that illustrate why their family doctors rock at www.familydocsrock.ca. Visit www. acfp.ca for more details.
About the Alberta College of Family Physicians
The Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) is a professional, voluntary organization representing more than 4,000 family physicians in Alberta. Established 60 years ago, the ACFP strives for excellence in family practice through advocacy, continuing medical education and primary care research. The ACFP is a Chapter of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), a nationwide organization with more than 30,000 members. For more information on the ACFP, visit www.acfp.ca.
SOURCE: Alberta College of Family Physicians
Wendy Steele, Communications & Conference Coordinator, Alberta College of Family Physicians, 780-488-2395 or 1-800-361-0607 or [email protected]
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