Dr. Salem Elmgadmi moved up from Libya

Meet Dr. Salem Elmgadmi, 38.

Dr. Elmgadmi moved to Fairview from Libya in November 2024 to work as a physician at the Fairview Health Complex.

What’s your story? Why did you relocate?

I was always interested in practicing family medicine in Alberta, and I had a lot of friends who worked in Fairview and other parts of Alberta. They all recommended the area because it’s such a welcoming community, a great place to work, and it is beautiful.

I visited Fairview in May of 2024 and loved it, so that helped with my decision. There are five doctors here now, including myself, who came from the same place, which is amazing.

What were your first impressions?

I found it to be peaceful and beautiful in the summertime. I was amazed by the natural beauty here. The people are very friendly and welcoming, and I am impressed by the community.

What surprised you most?

Most surprising was the hospitality. I expected winter to be worse, but it has been manageable. Something I wasn’t expecting was how long the sun stays up in the summer months. I hadn’t seen the sun stay up until 11pm.

Compared to where you came from, how is it different here?

There are a lot of differences, especially because I came from a city. It’s slower here but in a nice way. The natural environment in the Fairview area is amazing and very different from back home. I also found people here have a better work/life balance, especially in the summer with the longer days, which is quite different from where I came from.

In what ways have you integrated yourself into the community?

Working in the hospital allows me to engage with local people, hear their stories and help as much as possible. My family and I like to spend time in the community, especially at the parks and swimming pool, so that helps us to meet new people.

What are some must-try Northwestern Alberta experiences?

I recommend visiting the nearby Dunvegan Provincial Park. It’s such a beautiful place to visit and seeing the Peace River up close is amazing. I also recommend stopping in at Fairview Pizza and Donair. It’s one of my favourite places to eat.

Have you had any interesting wildlife encounters here?

I’ve seen a lot of deer; they’re always wandering around the neighbourhood. Other than that, I’ve seen moose near the river, and although they’re not wild, seeing the bison near Dunvegan is always interesting.

What is your ideal Sunday (or day off)?

My wife and I like to take our two-year-old daughter shopping in Grande Prairie. We also visit the local playgrounds. A typical Sunday for us is having dinner out and then a movie night at home.

What are your favourite outdoor activities?

I love to visit local trails, have picnics in the parks and enjoy our backyard.

What is unique about Northwestern Alberta?

The nature and beauty of this area makes it so unique—plus the strong community ties and the sense of belonging among people here.

What's your advice to anyone thinking of relocating here?

There are so many opportunities and experiences here to utilize. Be prepared for small town spirit and a great community. It may seem challenging to relocate, but it’s worth it.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself serving the community as a family doctor. My daughter will be in school here, and I’ll hopefully be a Canadian citizen by that time. I’ll definitely be staying here for some time.