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Last updateSat, 21 Sep 2024 12pm

New medical clinic in the works

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A second medical clinic in the valley is closer to becoming a reality.

This comes after a week of turmoil in the Drumheller medical community that resulted in Dr. Rithesh Ram no longer being a member of Drumheller Associated Physicians.

He tells the Mail that he intends to still see patients at the Associated Physician Clinic and is in the process of setting up a location for a new clinic, and this process too is moving along.

Dr. Ram has secured a 10-year lease at the Riverside Health Centre Building in Drumheller at 180 Riverside Drive East (on the third floor, above Dr. Poznikoff's Riverside Dental Clinic).

Construction planning for Riverside Medical have already started with work to begin as soon as the permit is approved.

This comes after a week of transition. Dr. Ram tells the Mail he was forced from the Drumheller Associated Physicians, and he feels it is related to a survey he commissioned to learn more about patient experience in the valley.

“The impetus for the survey was that I have heard a lot, whether it be Facebook, my own patients, talk at the hospital or people that no longer live here, many had concerns. All of it was around access, around booking, being able to get in to see your doctor. These are things that are happening everywhere, but when you hear about it from people that haven't lived here for 20 years and it is still happening. So I was curious.”

dr. Ram new

It will be some time before he sees the results of the survey, however, he does know it has been well received by patients, with over 500 responses.

He said there was talk of expansion of the clinic, Dr. Buller, a female physician starting in July.  His spouse is currently studying Medicine and when she completes her studies, plans on setting up in the valley as well.

The report Dr. Ram has parted ways with the clinic began to circulate on social media around midnight on Friday morning and there was massive engagement from Drumheller residents, mostly in support of the doctor.

He plans to have the clinic running shortly.

“I don’t have a specific time frame but it will be as soon as possible and that depends on the support we continue to get from patients, the town, and the community,” he said. “We are thankful for it, and we are doing it for them.”

Dr. Ram graduated from the University of Calgary with a joint MD- Ph.D. degree from

the Leaders in Medicine - Epidemiology program. He was the recipient of the

2013 Award for Young Leaders from the Canadian Medical Association. He has been

practicing in the valley since July 2015.

To fill out Dr. Ram’s survey go to http://www.drumhellerhealth.ca/

As of press time, there was no comment available from Drumheller Associated Physicians.


Hand Hills Lake Club holds campsite auction

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    The Hand Hills Lake Club is looking to raise some funds and give all attendees an equal shot at some prime camping spots.
    The Hand Hills Lake Club is hosting its annual Charity sale on Friday, March 10. The committee has selected 10 of the most popular camping sites and will auction them to the highest bidder for this year’s event. The funds from the sale will go to improve the site.
    “We are going to give it a try and see if this works,” said Marilyn Vredegoor of the committee.
    She explains the funds will be used to get rid of fence posts they use to mark off each campsite and fire lanes. By putting in steel pegs at ground level, it will make the site easier to maneuver with large vehicles or campers.
    “It will make it easier for them to park, we want to improve the parking,” she said.
    Vredegoor foresees that this may be controversial for long time campers. Some come early and lay claim to the prime camping areas. This will give the opportunity to the highest bidder.
    “We have had people coming in that don’t get the spots, they are roped off early. But now people that have had these spots for years want to keep those spots,” she said. “Change is hard.”
    Another change is with exception of the 10 auction spots, none can be marked off and claimed before May 1.
    “We don’t want to take away from the family aspect of it because people come and camp in a circle with 8-10 vehicles,” she said.

Spring Sports Recreation and Arts Expo offers something for everyone

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The Spring Sport, Recreation and Art Expo is coming, showcasing all kinds of activities available in the community.
    The Expo is on March 8 at the Badlands Community facility.  Kim Masson, program coordinator at the Badlands Community Facility says so far about 17 exhibitors, and counting, have signed up.
    “The fall one is typically bigger but we have some interesting ones,” she said.
     She says what is making this year’s event unique is the are some new and different exhibitors. Along with expected sports such as baseball or soccer, she says there are exhibits for netball and roller derby for example. There is also everything from piano lessons and the Drumheller Royal Ball. Three will also be demos.
    On display will also be the offerings from the town at the Badlands Community Facility and the Aquaplex. This is everything from badminton to paint and wine nights.
    “Everything will be upcoming programs with us that you can register for that day,” she said.
    Masson said the expo is a valuable event for residents to see what is offered.
    “It is a great way to see what is all happening in your community, there registration going on. It is also an opportunity to see new things people are doing in the community.
    The expo goes on March 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. and is free to attend.


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