SADDLE LAKE – Raised in St. Paul, Dr. Kirk Reid has returned home and is now the newest doctor to practice in the neighbouring community of Saddle Lake.
Reid now lives in the St. Vincent/Mallaig area with his family and travels to Saddle Lake daily since he started working at the Saddle Lake Health Care Centre (SLHCC) Medical Clinic about a month ago. Reid recently completed his residency in July at the University of Alberta.
Growing up, Reid said his family spent some time visiting local First Nations communities. “We’ve made a lot of great friends in the surrounding (communities),” such as in Whitefish Lake First Nation, Frog Lake First Nation, and Saddle Lake Cree Nation.
Over the years, Reid says he has witnessed a difference in the living conditions in First Nations communities, speaking specifically to less access to clean water. “That stark difference is just what pushed me to want to be out here,” he says.
Reid says he has also volunteered in Saddle Lake in the past and became aware that there was a need to practice medicine in the community. Reid said he always had a vision to come back and help in any way he could, “because there’s such a discrepancy and access to basic health care – even in a lot of reserves in Canada.”
Reid says he became a doctor to make a difference.
“I was very fortunate growing up, and blessed,” said Reid, explaining how he felt that not using the gifts he’s been given would be a waste. That was when he decided to become a doctor.
“Long story short, I discussed it with my parents, chiefly my father,” whom Reid said he respects for his wisdom. His father thought Reid becoming a doctor was a good idea, and “that confirmed to me that I should pursue it.”
Reid further explained, “That’s the biggest reason, and then I just kept going after that and didn’t want to take no for an answer – even when things didn’t work out just perfectly and smoothly like I thought they would."
It has been a long journey for Reid, who started post-secondary education at the age of 20. At the age of 26, he was able to get into medical school. Four years later, now at the age of 30, he has completed his residency.
Reid chose to practice family medicine because it allows him the “actual practical ability” to help people in any way he can. Family medicine, according to Reid, also “has that longitudinal care with the patient,” and as a family doctor, he hopes to create meaningful relationships with patients.
“In addition to being a doctor, you can even be their friend, and journey through life with them,” growing, changing, while treating patients along the way.
Helping patients involves learning about them as a whole person, which includes “the psychological, the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual side . . . It’s the most holistic specialty you could be part of,” he adds.
According to Reid, the clinic isn’t exclusive to Saddle Lake, and occasionally, they also have people from surrounding communities who come to access health care there.
Reid said he feels very fortunate to be in a position where he can help people in Saddle Lake and the surrounding area, “and there’s a lot of resiliency and a lot of culture.”
Also, he’s ready to learn as much as he can and be an asset in any way he can.
Nicole Gladue, Officer Manager with the Saddle Lake Health Care Centre offered a welcome to Dr. Reid.
“I would just like to say that Saddle Lake wants to welcome our new doctor, Dr. Reid, to our health facility.”
Reid is accepting new patients, according to Gladue, and community members are free to come out and meet him.
