(Red Deer Primary Care Network)

By Sheldon Spackman

Showing Support

Primary Care Network launches ribbon campaign honouring slain doctor

Aug 13, 2020 | 1:47 PM

A ribbon campaign has been launched in Red Deer to honour the life of a local doctor who died following a violent attack on Monday.

The Red Deer Primary Care Network (PCN) has also organized a candlelight vigil to honour Dr. Walter Reynolds at City Hall Park on Friday evening starting at 7:00 p.m.

Lorna Milkovich, Executive Director at Red Deer PCN, says the blue and green ribbons honouring Dr. Reynolds were a staff member’s idea.

“We also are showing our support, grief, and unity by wearing these ribbons over our heart because it’s hitting all of us – first the family and close colleagues, but then it goes out from there in ripples to the medical community and the whole community and beyond,” she explains. “The ribbons are actually the Primary Care Network’s colours and Dr. Walter Reynolds was a physician in the Red Deer Primary Care Network.”

Milkovich says residents wishing to wear a ribbon are encouraged to attend Friday night’s vigil where they will be given to attendees until supplies run out.

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“We have a working bee of staff making them,” says Milkovich. “Unfortunately, we are unable to provide them other than that for right now, but we have received so many requests for the ribbons. I think it really goes to show that the community is reaching out to say that we want to be part of this and we want to honour Dr. Reynolds.”

Friday’s program will include prayers and several speakers. A table will also be set up where people can drop-off cards or flowers. Masks are encouraged as well, in addition to physical distancing.

On Wednesday, Christine Molnar, President of the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), issued a release indicating the organization has been in contact with local physician leaders to ensure that all members of the physician community can access assistance through the Physician and Family Support Program as they try to come to terms with the horrific event.

Molnar says extra resources have been assembled for individual physicians to call the PFSP support line to talk with one of the AMA’s physicians for peer support and to access individual therapy sessions with a qualified and experienced therapist.

“We are mindful that this is a time of shock and deep grief,” wrote Molnar. “A time for sorrow. A time to reflect. Our colleague, Dr. Walter Reynolds, was a family physician devoted to his family, his patients and his calling. He will be sorely missed.”

Related: First-degree murder charge laid as Red Deer mourns slain doctor

Related: Village Mall Walk-In Clinic remembers Dr. Walter Reynolds

If you would like to donate to the Walter Reynolds Memorial Fund organized by Dr. Johan Myburgh, click here.