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Minnedosa Tribune FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026
Vo lu m e 143 N u m ber28
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DAR R E L L N E SBIT T / M IN N E DO SA T R IBU N E Various age groups embrace the importance of minor hockey within the Minnedosa community and area each winter season, such as the Minnedosa U11 Bombers do, spotted here headed for a break at intermission. From youth to senior hockey, participants proudly don a Bombers jersey, showcasing their skills at Sunrise Credit Union Centre. An important skill to learn at a young age, hockey teaches teamwork, while keeping fun front and center.
Area welcom es new d octors in 2026 The com m un ities of M in n edosa , R ussell, R ossburn , a n d Shoa l La ke w ill ga in in tern a tion a lly tra in ed doctors this fa ll RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT M inne d o sa Trib une
The communities of Minnedosa, Russell, Rossburn, and Shoal Lake, along with Killarney and Ste. Rose, are set to receive seven internationally trained doctors this fall to address a critical family physician shortage.
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The physicians, recruited by Prairie Mountain Health (PMH), have signed four-year return-ofservice agreements. Under the placement plan, Dr. Karen Aquino and Dr. Moazzam Raza will be based in Minnedosa, while Dr. Porimol Debnath will serve the Russell area. Dr. Ana Hernandez is assigned to provide
care for both Rossburn and Shoal Lake. These communities were prioritized for recruitment after being identified as high-need areas in November. The recruitment follows a highly competitive selection process through the international medical graduates’ program, which accepts only 30 of more than 1,000
applicants annually. Tamara Kemp-Boulet, PMH physician recruitment and retention co-ordinator, stated that the regional health authority typically places seven to eight graduates in rural communities each year. To secure long-term commitment, PMH uses site visits to integrate doctors and their families
into local infrastructure, including schools and healthcare facilities. The influx of new doctors is expected to stabilize emergency department services, which have recently faced temporary closures due to a lack of physicians, nurses, and laboratory staff.
SEE R E T E N T IO N , PAGE 2
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