Strengthening Rural Health

Manning and Area Attraction and Retention Coalition

About 15 years ago, Manning was facing a physician crisis. So, the community rallied together at a town hall meeting to brainstorm ways to bring more doctors into the area.

Today, things are different. After years of strategic planning and hard work, Manning has three doctors on staff and approval for a fourth.

These physicians are coming from far and wide, so the community is employing thoughtful initiatives to attract them and to make them feel welcome when they arrive.

From reaching potential healthcare professionals while they are still in school to bringing doctors and their families camping and ice fishing, the efforts of countless volunteers in the Manning area have paid off.

Starting from Zero

In 2011, Terry Ungarian joined the fledgling Manning Area Attraction and Retention Coalition (MAARC).

A councillor of the County of Northern Lights at the time, Ungarian currently serves as reeve.

“We had no resident physicians. Locums [temporary replacements] would come and go. We were relying on EMS services to provide critical care. The nearest care facility with a physician was in Peace River, which is 100 km away,” said Ungarian.

It was clear MAARC needed rejuvenation. As new members came onboard, and with the help of Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP), the committee of volunteers got to work.

“Over the years we’ve had representatives from the pharmacy, physicians, the manager of the hospital, the mayor, the reeve, CAOs from both the Town of Manning and County of Northern Lights and members at large volunteer with the committee,” said Ungarian.

County of Northern Lights Reeve, Terry Ungarian

Assessing Needs and Challenges

Though Manning had the infrastructure for emergency and primary care, there were no full-time permanent physicians, and there was a shortage of other healthcare professionals. So, people were having to travel to receive care.

“Primary care is important for all Albertans,” said Ungarian. “Having to travel long distances can be critical when it’s an emergency. And, we serve a huge area. There is nothing north of Manning until you get to High Level, which is a 200 km away.”

The rural lifestyle enjoyed by so many who live in the Manning area has, at times, made it difficult to attract and retain doctors.

“Many professionals interested in relocating look for a familiar work-life balance,” said Ungarian. “Often, they’re happy to work in their given position, but if you don’t have amenities offered in larger centres, it becomes a challenge to retain people.”

MAARC members realized early on that doctors relocating from different parts of the world to Manning often struggle with culture shock. The committee has introduced a number of initiatives to make new doctors feel at home.

Healing a Doctor Shortage

Over the last 15 years, MAARC members and local residents have come together to thoughtfully embrace healthcare workers and involve them in the community through sports, religion and local events.

“The community has been great at embracing health professionals who come to our region and making them feel part of the community,” said Ungarian. “One of the strengths we have is our people. We are very friendly, accommodating and happy to host.”

MAARC also contributes by recognizing Rural Health Week, birthdays and work anniversaries.

“We will send a fruit basket or cookies to the staff and physicians so they know just how appreciated they are,” said Ungarian.

These efforts began to pay off. In 2016, MAARC received the Alberta Rural Community Physician Attraction and Retention Award. In 2020, MAARC and RhPAP hosted 20 local students for a health career exploration day at the Manning Health Complex where they learned about potential career paths close to home.  

More recently, AHS approved the community for a fourth doctor.

“We currently have three doctors, and they’re in high demand, so a fourth doctor would relieve some of their workload,” said Ungarian. “And, we’ll be able to receive patients in a timely manner.”

A Success Story

One international physician visited a few different communities in Northern Alberta before planting her roots.

“She knew she wanted to be in a rural setting and Manning was one of the communities she chose to visit,” said Ungarian. “I think her first impression of the community was not great. It was a quiet, hot afternoon in May. It was dry and windy and not many people were around town.”

After a long drive to get here from their previous stop, the doctor and her husband decided to meet the committee. Over the course of the day, they started having a good time.

“While the doctor was meeting staff at the clinic and hospital, her husband was meeting people in the community, and a few different factors made them reconsider,” said Ungarian. “About nine years later, they’re still here and now raising a family.”

According to Ungarian, locals step up to help the new community members get settled—whether it’s showing them around the schools and churches or helping them with tasks like banking or buying a vehicle.

“Simple things that we take for granted can be very overwhelming for people relocating from across the world, so the fact our people are always willing to help—by bringing them into their homes for dinner or taking them camping or ice fishing—is one of the big things the community offers,” said Ungarian.

Doctors Need a Home

Manning is a small, rural community with limited housing. So, the County of Northern Lights has invested in a house to aid the effort of attracting and retaining medical professionals.

“The County of Northern Lights owns a fully furnished home across the street from the hospital and the clinic because, unfortunately, rentals can be few and far between,” said Ungarian.

Ungarian says once a fourth doctor is found, MAARC will switch its efforts to retaining doctors while still attracting other healthcare workers.

The committee has worked hard to make the region a good choice for a medical professional to practice in.

“We may not have an indoor pool, a Walmart or a Tim Hortons, but we do have great people,” said Ungarian.

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By Siobhan Kennedy | Samantha Rose Photography