ST. PAUL – The Associated Medical Centre (AMC), located within the walls of the Wellness Centre in St. Paul, will be closing its doors on June 30, 2023.
The decision to close the medical centre was not an easy one for the three doctors who currently make up the clinic – Dr. Albert Harmse, Dr. Christina Sereda, and Dr. Harvey Woytiuk. Each of the doctors have been providing medical services to the St. Paul community for several years.
All three doctors have varying reasons leading to their decision to move on.
Dr. Harvey Woytiuk
Dr. Woytiuk is the longest running doctor in the clinic. He has been in St. Paul for 47 and a half years.
“I graduated from medical school in 1972 and then spent two years at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton,” explains Woytiuk. “I arrived here as a new graduate in 1974 to practice as a family physician.”
He expressed gratitude toward the community for providing him and his family with a place to work, live, and grow.
“I'm leaving enriched, grateful and indebted to the community for providing a place for us to work, live, and grow personally and professionally. It's been an exceptional experience that I would recommend to anyone.”
Woytiuk added that the decision to retire did not come easy, explaining he and his wife's wishes to be closer to their grandchildren was a significant factor in the decision.
“There’s a desire to spend time with them because they're at a very precious age,” noting his grandchildren are now between the ages of about three and eight years old.
“I've had a wonderful career and I think it's time to step aside and let others take over.”
Woytiuk celebrated his 75th birthday in January and expressed an interest in perhaps cultivating some other interests.
“It’s just time to step away from the professional responsibilities and live our private lives,” and he is looking forward to the next phase of life.
Woytiuk wishes St. Paul's newest doctors all the best, stating that they are very fortunate to be in St. Paul. He is hopeful that they too will choose to live their professional and personal lives in the community, like he did.
“I think St. Paul has some very special opportunities for young medical practitioners.”
Dr. Albert Harmse
Dr. Harmse has been part of the clinic since July 17, 2000, when he immigrated from South Africa and became an associate the following year. He joined Dr. Woytiuk, Dr. Ellaurie, Dr. Rengan, Dr. Magnan, Dr. Leivo, and Dr. Sonnenberg, and in those days, “We were the only clinic in town and proceedings were fairly easy,” recalls Harmse.
“We all did a full scope of practice, and everybody shared the load of office work, emergency room, acute care, long-term care, and surgery duties. We also did clinics in Saddle Lake,” he explains. Over the years, the clinic saw many changes with doctors coming and going, and people having different ideas regarding clinic administration, resulting in other clinics forming.
Gradually, the Associated Medical Centre’s clinic became smaller, and fast forward to 2023, “there were only three of us remaining, namely: Dr. Woytiuk, Sereda, and [myself,]” he says. “Each one of us has unique circumstances which makes it necessary to end the existence of the AMC.”
For Harmse, at 68 years old, his reasons include his age, but mainly his health. “I became ill,” he says, leading to the decision to reduce his workload.
Harmse will continue fulfilling his positions as deputy zone medical director for the North Zone at Alberta Health Services (AHS), and as the physician-lead for end-of-life and palliative care.
“This will limit my clinical practice to a specific subgroup of patients,” said Harmse, who plans to remain in the community. “The community has been so good to my family and me... allowing me to have almost 23 good years as a physician.”
Dr. Christina Sereda
“It is with mixed emotions... that after nearly nine years of service to this community, that I will be permanently closing my medical practice on June 30,” acknowledges Dr. Sereda. “The reasons for closure are myriad and nuanced, but they essentially distill down to my decision to pursue a different career path in medicine and take on fresh challenges.”
She adds, “This is not a decision that was made lightly.” It took her many months of deliberation and research before reaching the decision. “Certainly, I will miss my patients and colleagues.”
The last three years have been particularly difficult for Sereda, naming the pandemic, a limitation of resources, and what she describes as “system flaws.” And, “I have come to the realization that I am ready for a change.”
At the moment, Sereda is yet to decide on a specific direction for her future, stating she has no immediate or short-term plans to go back to practicing traditional family medicine.
Sereda remains hopeful for the future of healthcare in the community, stating that “through the efforts of AHS and the local recruitment community, it is quite likely that more new doctors will arrive in this community.”
She also gave a nod to the new doctors who were hired last year.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to begin my career here in St. Paul,” she said, thanking the support of other physicians throughout the years - from surgeons, to psychiatrists, anesthesiologists, and fellow family medicine practitioners.
She also thanked the community’s first responders, pharmacists, and many other allied health professionals. “Without all these services and people, my job would have been a lot more difficult, and I appreciate what you all do every single day.”
“Finally, I would also like to thank my patients, for your trust and the privilege of serving you. I wish you all the best in the future.”
Patient records
In a recent announcement by the AMC, patient medical records will remain in the clinic’s custody until June 30.
A patient’s written authorization, as is required by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, is required in the event they wish to have a copy of their medical record transferred to another physician.
Patient record requests can be made by sending a written authorization to AMC’s attention at: #108, 5801-39 Street, St. Paul, AB, T0A 3A2.
