The Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) recently named its 2022 Physician of the Year, with the award going to a local doctor.
Dr. Pieter Maree, a physician at the Hudson Bay Primary Health Care Clinic, is this year’s recipient.
According to Maree, he had no idea he had been nominated.
“Complete surprise,” Maree told northeastNOW. “My colleagues nominated me, but they kept it a very well-guarded secret. When I got the letter, I had no idea what it was. When I told my wife about it, she said, ‘oh, well, so you got it’, so she knew all along… a very great honour.”
His colleagues and family ended up joining him in Regina, this past weekend, during a ceremony held as part of the SMA’s 2022 Fall Representative Assembly.
Maree added there was no one else in the world he would rather have shared it with.
“It was a wonderful ceremony and was beautifully done. We had a really good time and it was very special for me that I could have all my colleagues and then also my wife and my in-laws and some friends with me. It was certainly something that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Maree, originally came to Canada, back in 2003, after immigrating from his homeland of South Africa.
He explained he’s grateful to be able to work and live in the northeast Saskatchewan area.
“When I came here, I was really blown away by the wonderful people and the beautiful countryside. I fell in love with the forests and the trees and the lakes and the rivers right away. It is peaceful, safe, full of wonderful people and truly a wonderful place to be making your life,” Maree said.
“We have a core of very good physicians here in Hudson Bay and we have been very fortunate that we’ve had more stability, as far as physicians go than some of the other towns in rural Canada. We help each other, we support each other and we have a lot of fun together, so it’s a very good place to work.”
The SMA also recognized outstanding achievement in leading Saskatchewan’s medical community by presenting three other awards on Friday (Oct. 28).
The recipients are 2022 SMA Physician Leader of the Year – Dr. Justina Koshinsky, 2022 SMA Resident Leader of the Year – Dr. Ingrid Tam, and 2022 SMA Student Leader of the Year – Elecktra Laxdal.
–
Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter @BenTompkins_8
