A Camrose physician who has mentored dozens of “Young Medical Minds” will be honoured by the Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) for his contributions to rural health care and his community. Dr. Chris Nichol will be presented with the 2017 RhPAP Rural Physician Award of Distinction during a May 4 “Grow Your Own” health professions skills event, taking place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus. The event is sponsored by the Camrose & Area Physician Attraction and Retention Committee, Camrose Primary Care Network, and RhPAP.

Young Medical Minds Program alumni will be in attendance and participating in an Enhanced Skills Day for grade 8-10 students, with a Luncheon and Awards Program honouring Dr. Nichol as recipient of the 2017 RhPAP Rural Physician Award of Distinction to commence at 12 p.m. in the Forum & Chapel.

Nominated by individuals representing over a dozen organizations, Dr. Nichol was selected to receive the honour by a review committee composed of rural Alberta community members and medical professionals. Dr. Nichol’s clinical leadership—including the development of team-based care, hissupport of medical education in the community through the “Young Medical Minds” program, and involvement in the community—epitomizes the outstanding commitment to rural medicine and community that the award recognizes.

The RhPAP Rural Physician Award of Distinction was created in 2002 to recognize the contributions of all rural physicians, especially those ‘unsung heroes’ who provide Alberta rural communities with outstanding medical services and who make huge contributions to medical practice and their communities.

Founded in 1991 by the Government of Alberta as the Alberta Rural Physician Action Plan, a renewed Rural Health Professions Action Plan, or RhPAP, is transitioning from a rural physician support program to a rural allied health professionals and community development agency. Our vision is to help rural Alberta have and sustain the right number of rural health practitioners in the right places, offering the right services, through community and professional development programs, services, and evidence-informed advocacy. We are grateful to Alberta Health for its continued financial support.

To see the video from this event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5hZPnYp-gk&feature=youtu.be

To read about the event: http://www.camrosecanadian.com/2018/05/10/dr-nicholhonouredfor-inspiring-young-medical-minds