Second surgeon added to the roster
Community
Posted By Joni MacFarlane, Editor
Posted 1 month ago
A second set of hands has begun work at the Crowsnest Pass Health Centre. Dr. Bert Reitsma recently moved to the Pass where he will be sharing surgical responsibilities with Dr. John Irwin.
Originally from The Hague, Dr. Reitsma studied medicine in Amsterdam before earning his Ph.D. in Surgical Sciences and Biochemistry from Maastricht University, Netherlands.
He practiced surgery for over 15 years at a community hospital in Netherlands with 200 beds and along the way, Dr. Reitsma and his wife Ineke raised a family of four girls and two boys.
In 1994, Dr. Reitsma came to Toronto for a pre-surgical conference. He toured around the province visiting place such as Algonquin Park and fell in love with the beauty of the country.
"Canada had always been on the radar screen," he recalled. "But life takes over."
Eventually, he made the dream come true, immigrating to Canada on - of all days - Canada Day.
"We didn't know what day it was or what it meant," he laughed. "Everyone was waving flags, they even sang 'Oh Canada' on the plane."
Dr. Reitsma laughs at the memory. "We thought, this is a very nice welcome."
In Ottawa, Dr. Reitsma had a surgical consulting firm where he worked as a liaison between industry and government conducting surgical clinical trials and providing expertise to companies.
"I missed the hands on," he said. "I came so close to surgical practice, but I missed it so I had to go back to practicing."
By this time, his children had gone out on their own. He said it was very difficult to get a license in Ontario, but "Alberta was very welcoming".
When an opening came up in Barrhead, northwest of Edmonton, Dr. Reitsma jumped at the opportunity.
He practiced for three years at the Barrhead Health Care Centre before Crowsnest Pass physician, Dr. Allan Garbutt approached him.
Dr. Reitsma describes Dr. Garbutt as a very good promoter of rural medicine.
"He started talking to me, telling me that Crowsnest Pass needed another surgeon," said Dr. Reitsma. "My wife and I visited a few times, and thought it would be a good mix of social and professional life."
Dr. Reitsma's practice is based in the hospital in his own special clinic where he'll work closely with area physicians.
"There will be a dual responsibility with the patient's family doctor and me," he explained. "I'll be responsible for 30 days post-operative care and then will refer them back to their family doctor."
Dr. Reitsma is excited by the mix of general surgeries he'll be doing such as trauma, urology, and plastics (reconstructive soft tissue repair). He'll also be helping family doctors with obstetrics and is available 24-7.
In emergencies, he explained, he can do a quick assessment to determine if surgery needs to be done right away, such as a ruptured appendix, or if it can be done the next day and fitted in with regular surgeries such as an inflamed gall bladder.
Dr. Reitsma is also attracted to Crowsnest Pass for the mix between his professional and social life. He said he's looking forward to trying fly-fishing and mountain biking and getting involved in the birding community. The Reitsmas are also interested in wine and hope to explore BC's wine country.
They are building an energy-sufficient house in Tecumseh and hope to be in by Christmas. In the meantime they are living in a trailer that they plan to use to explore western Canada.
"There is perfect management in the hospital here, very proactive management and doctors," said Dr. Reitsma. "There is dedicated nursing staff and physicians. There is a close relationship to education and a very good environment."
"We hope to be an active part of the community," he said.
