Things have been quieter at St. Joseph's Hospital as access to the building has been restricted due to COVID-19, but that doesn't mean they've been idle. Today the hospital announced a new physician, Dr. Germin Attia, has arrived in town.

Dr. Attia will establish her practice in the Primacy Medical Clinic attached to the No Frills Grocery Store where she will share her practice with Dr.’s Tsoi, Christie, Belal and Yazid. The hospital said in a release she would begin practice this week.

Dr. Attia received her medical training in Egypt and brings approximately 12 years of medical practice experience. Dr. Attia is a graduate of the Saskatchewan International Physicians Practice Assessment program (SIPPA).

SIPPA is the competency assessment program used by the province of Saskatchewan to ensure the competency of international physicians prior to licensing in Saskatchewan. Dr. Attia has received her License from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan and has received privileges from the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Greg Hoffort, Executive Director of St. Joseph’s Hospital said that “the arrival of Dr. Attia will bring the number of full-time physicians practicing in Estevan to 12, in addition to several providing locum services at St. Joseph’s Hospital”.

“Dr. Attia is a welcome addition to the medical staff and the Health Care Team at St. Joseph’s Hospital of Estevan and we are pleased that she has made the decision to move to Estevan to practice medicine in our community,” said Hoffort

Hoffort credits a collaborative effort between the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation and St. Joseph’s Hospital for their success in regards to recruitment and retention of physicians.

St. Joseph’s Hospital is pleased to welcome Dr. Attia to Estevan.