Saddle Hills County Health Clinic
On June 17, the highly anticipated Saddle Hills County Health Clinic opened in Saddle Hills County’s Administration Building.
Special for several reasons, the Saddle Hills County Health Clinic is solely funded by the County—in this regard, there’s only one other clinic like it in Alberta.
“This project has been a long time in the making. From the initial conception in 2021 to now, we have been incredibly excited about the opportunity to bring much needed additional healthcare options to rural Alberta and our residents,” said Saddle Hills County Reeve Alvin Hubert.
Not part of Alberta Health Services or any other government program, it is hoped this unique clinic will relieve pressure on local emergency services. It provides local healthcare options for Saddle Hills County residents and ratepayers, especially those who do not have a primary care physician, experience long wait times or travel long distances to seek care.
Registered Nurse Practitioner Palvi Sharma makes this clinic truly unique. Completing her BSc in nursing in India before pursuing her interest in critical care nursing at Conestoga College in Kitchener, ON, she practiced in New Brunswick while earning her MSc in nursing at the University of New Brunswick.
With her qualifications, the clinic is equipped to provide primary care services for acute and chronic conditions—including treatment for common illnesses and injuries, prescribing medication, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and providing health education.
According to Saddle Hills County Communications Coordinator Monica Randall, Nurse Practitioner Sharma was instrumental when it came to the design of the clinic.
“The clinic as it stands today is very much her vision of Council’s original idea. After all, she is the expert in this field,” said Randall.
Reeve Hubert echoes this sentiment and is optimistic about the impact the clinic will have on the community.
“Thanks to the hard work of our team and Nurse Practitioner Sharma, we have been able to make this dream a reality and build a facility we believe will serve the community for many years to come,” said Reeve Hubert.
The County held a meet-and-greet event on June 17 to kick off the opening of the clinic.
“Lots of community members came out or called in to ask questions,” said Randall. “Palvi has been consistently busy since appointments have become available. Overall, it has been a great success so far.”
The Saddle Hills County Health Clinic is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
“I look forward to meeting all the wonderful members of the community. My ultimate goal when providing care is to help patients have better experiences and outcomes by employing a holistic approach that recognizes the significance of their social and psychological needs,” said Nurse Practitioner Palvi Sharma.
For more information on the clinic and the services offered, as well as how to book an appointment and clinic FAQs, visit the Saddle Hills County Health Clinic website at saddlehills.ab.ca/saddle-hills-health-clinic
By Jenelle Van Slyke | Photography Submitted
Commentaires