The Alberta College of Family Physicians Recognizes Excellence in Family Practice Across the Province
Edmonton, AB, November 5, 2024 – The Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) is pleased to announce Edmonton-based Dr. Robert I. Greidanus as Alberta’s Family Physician of the Year for 2024.
This highly esteemed award honours outstanding family physicians who best exemplify what being a family doctor is all about: providing exceptional care to their patients, making significant contributions to the health and well-being of their community and society in general, and dedicating themselves to the education of future generations of family doctors. Recipients of this prestigious award are both nominated and selected by their peers in recognition of these achievements.
“Rob is a caring and thorough physician who cares for his patients from birth until death. He brings his surgical, obstetrical, and endoscopy skills to our community to allow patients to get their care locally. Without his surgical expertise, our ability to have obstetrical deliveries and surgery locally would have ended years ago,” notes his nominator and colleague Dr. Karen Lundgard.
She adds, “He goes above and beyond to support the medical needs of our community and of his patients and to support the physicians in the community. He is an enthusiastic teacher as we are a busy teaching site with two integrated clerkship students and one or two family medicine residents for most of the year. Rob is a shining star among rural family physicians. He is a scholar, a teacher, a collaborator, an excellent communicator, a leader, a health advocate locally and internationally, a medical expert and a professional.”
For more than 25 years, Dr. Greidanus has practised full-scope family medicine in Peace River, Alberta. In addition to his practice, Dr. Greidanus has sought out further training in Enhanced Surgical Skills (ESS), obstetrics, laparoscopy and endoscopy to help better serve his local community. His advocacy and humanitarian efforts have also made an international impact. Dr. Greidanus spent six years in Kenya and Namibia on medical missions and community development projects, fueling a passion for tropical medicine. Since 2012, Dr. Greidanus has taken on various leadership roles including, associate clinical professor at the University of Alberta, medical director, and president at local medical clinics within Peace River.
Above all else, family is central to Dr. Greidanus’ life and perhaps his favourite roles are that of husband and father.
Along with Alberta’s Family Physician of the Year announcement, the ACFP is pleased to honour the following 2024 Award recipients:
Recognition of Excellence
Dr. Oluseyi Akinola, Calgary
Dr. Guy Blais, Edmonton
Dr. Michelle Dion, Edmonton
Dr. Noelle O’Riordan, Calgary
Dr. Janet Reynolds, Calgary
Dr. Stephanie Sobotie, Calgary
Dr. Tharine van Deventer, Bonnyville
Patient’s Medical Home – Outstanding Family Practice
Riverbend Medical Clinic, Calgary
Outstanding New Professional Award
Dr. TaeEun (Mari Josephine) Ahn, Calgary
Family Medicine Resident Award
Dr. Clare Song, University of Alberta
Dr. Eric Paxman, University of Calgary
Rising Star – Student Leadership Award
Leanne Ejack, University of Alberta
Thomas Kazakoff, University of Calgary
The ACFP’s Member Engagement and Recognition Committee reviews nominations on an annual basis and recognizes dedicated outstanding family practices, family physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students. The Call for Award Nominations for 2025 is now open. Visit http://bit.ly/acfp-awards for more details.
About the Alberta College of Family Physicians
The Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) is a member-based, not-for-profit organization representing more than 5,600 family physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students across Alberta. The College strives for excellence in family practice through advocacy, continuing medical education, and primary care research. Established in 1954, the ACFP is a Chapter of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), a nationwide organization with more than 42,000 members. For more information on the ACFP, visit www.acfp.ca.
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For more information please contact:
Lindsay Rankin, Manager Member Engagement and Communications
Alberta College of Family Physicians
(780) 265-5467 or Lindsay.Rankin@acfp.ca
