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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

the doctor will see you now!

Stettler adding six doctors thanks to work of attraction and retention committee

Jun 3, 2025 | 2:56 PM

More doctors have signed on to practice in the Stettler area, according to a news release from the region’s Health Professionals Attraction and Retention Committee (HPA&R).

The release was shared today by both the Town of Stetter and County of Stettler, who are among the key stakeholders on the committee, along with a local advocacy group called Stettler Needs Doctors.

They note that in the first six months of engaging with community stakeholders to revitalize recruitment, six physicians have chosen to come to Stettler.

The committee notes that results aren’t immediately seen by the public because there is a process, as follows:

• Doctor accepts job previously posted by AHS
• Doctor completes out of town assessment — 3 to 6 months
• Doctor moves to Stettler — committee and realtors ensure this process goes smoothly
• Doctor completes local assessment — 3 month process with limited patients

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There are currently nine doctors in Stettler, with two of the new six practicing at minimum capacity.

Of the four left to arrive, one is an anesthesiologist, and two are in obstetrics.

“This is huge. We were down to seven doctors because some had chosen to leave the community, and we’ve pretty much replaced them all,” says Dean Lovell, committee chair.

“We had 7,000 people in Stettler undoctored and this will bridge that gap so everyone can have a primary care physician.”

Lovell says the committee’s ambassadorship program has really helped attract doctors. The program ensures doctors can get settled smoothly, be it by way of providing groceries, helping find a home, or even assisting for their spouse to find employment.

“We won’t take our foot off the gas,” adds Lovell. “We’ll always be looking because we do have some getting to retirement age.

The current cap on doctors for Stettler, per AHS regulations would be 16. After the current batch is in place, there will be 13.