Fort McMurray is set to get its own physician training site.

A committee, which includes MLA’s Laila Goodridge and Tany Yao along with doctors from across the province, has been formed to work towards establishing a site and program in the community.

Through the program, which will be part of the University of Alberta’s family medicine residency training program, medical students and family medicine residents would complete their training at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre and other areas across the RMWB.

“A successful residency site will play an important role in attracting physicians to the region and give local residents more access to the health care they need,” said Tyler Shandro, Alberta’s Minister of Health.

The region has had a problem for years bringing in physicians and specialists.

It remains an issue, however, there have been signs it’s starting to improve.

The NLRHC is continuing to upgrade its technology to help more residents get the help they need in the region rather than traveling south, while the region also got its first midwife just before the COVID-19 pandemic started in Alberta.

“We will be seeking advice from medical professionals and community members to make a made-in-Fort McMurray model to serve our region for the long term,” added Goodridge.

The government of Alberta will be funding the committee and its engagement activities through an existing physician education grant with the U of A.