June 7, 2023
FORT VERMILION – Local residents will soon have improved access to primary care with the recruitment of a former locum physician to a permanent family physician position.
Dr. Willem Skein is a long-term locum physician who recently accepted a full-time permanent position in Fort Vermilion. Dr. Skein has been serving the communities of High Level and Fort Vermilion since 2014. He practises out of the Associate Medical Clinic as well as St. Theresa General Hospital.
Dr. Skein earned his medical degree at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, with residencies in both South Africa and the United Kingdom. He practised as a family physician and part-time ER physician in South Africa before coming to High Level as a regular locum in 2014.
“Fort Vermilion is a great community with a good medical team and Dr. Skein has long been a part of that strong team,” says Dr. Mark Forder, Associate Zone Medical Director for AHS North Zone. “Dr. Skein’s permanent position will provide stability and continued access to local healthcare services for Fort Vermilion and area residents.”
Dr. Skein and his wife have three children who are all full-time students in South Africa. He became a permanent resident of Canada in 2022. He enjoys fishing and golfing and is looking forward to getting to know the more about the people and history of the Fort Vermilion area.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
