When his sister and brother-in-law decided to open their own medical practice in St. Albert, Dr. Shameem Shaker jumped at the opportunity to work with family again.
Born and raised in South Africa, Shameem immigrated to Canada five years ago, joining his sister Dr. Vajdiyeh Shaker and her husband Dr. Rezvan Ghiassi-Razavi in rural Saskatchewan where they worked as family physicians.
Before that, all three attended university in South Africa together – although Ghiassi-Razavi is originally from Namibia, a country on the southwestern coast of Africa.
The three have parted ways more than once. After 18 months in Shellbrook, Sask., Vajdiyeh and Ghiassi-Razavi settled down in St. Albert and joined the local Medicentre team, while Shameem practised in Calgary.
But with the opening of Horizons Health Medical Clinic two weeks ago, they are reunited once again. Hopefully more permanently this time, said Shameem.
A family-run practice geared toward families, Horizons is striving to offer a one-stop shop for all medical care needs from minor procedures, to women’s health to preventative health screenings. Ghiassi-Razavi offers occupational medicine and can assist with Workers Compensation Board claims.
A fourth physician, Dr. Branda D’Souza Singh, offers pediatric care.
D’Souza Singh also practised in St. Albert Medicentres for the past two years. She offers a mix of preventative care, such as counseling in terms of physical activity, healthy living styles and nutrition, and referral-based services.
As part of the St. Albert and Sturgeon Primary Care Network, Horizons also has access to many other specialists, such as pharmacists, dietitians and behavioural consultants.
The clinic offers a combination of same-day and appointment-based service.
“If you can’t get in to see me and you have a sore throat because I’m booking into five days down the line, I’ll have a (walk-in) spot where you can come and see me instead of go wait at a random walk-in clinic that doesn’t have your history. That way you’re followed up at the same clinic. It’s all about continuity in care – a family-home if you will,” said Shameem.
All four physicians are accepting new patients, which is good news for St. Albert said Dena Pederson, given the community lost a number of family doctors over the past few years.
“It gives patients an opportunity to doctor in their community,” she said. “Those that have been seeking care outside their community may be able to access it within their community.”
The addition of a new female physician to the St. Albert health care landscape is also positive. According to Pederson, Vajdiyeh is the first new female family doctor to come to the community in quite some time.
