Dr. Sean Groves accepted Physician of the Year on Friday. (Saskatchewan Medical Association/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

award winner

La Ronge doctor wins prestigious Physician of the Year award

May 4, 2019 | 10:44 AM

Dr. Sean Groves was selected as the 2019 Physician of the Year by the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA).

He was presented the award Friday in Saskatoon at the SMA’s 2019 Spring Representative Assembly. Groves graduated from the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine in 2003 and did his rural family medicine residency in Prince Albert. He arrived in La Ronge with his wife, Beckie, and family in 2005. Groves said winning the award was both surprising and humbling.

“I don’t really see it as an individual thing,” Groves said. “I work in an excellent group practice. I have huge support professionally and personally, and I think of the award more as recognition of work in a rural community and rural medicine, and the opportunities that that type of setting provides for me.”

Groves created and has led the development of the La Ronge rural family medicine training program since 2011. This program has evolved into resident-run clinics in a number of remote northern locations. He has been a student and resident coordinator at the La Ronge Medical Clinic since coming to La Ronge.

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In 2014, Groves became the lead physician for the La Ronge Opioid Agonist Therapy Program, which has expanded under his watch to serve people in remote communities. He has also helped to advance HIV and HCV testing in La Ronge and area.

“He is an active and well-respected leader in our community,” a colleague wrote about Groves. “His longevity and commitment to the people in northern Saskatchewan has enabled him to build relationships of trust in the different communities he serves. He exhibits cultural sensitivity and an exemplary understanding of the complex health-care needs facing our First Nations and northern population.”

One of his nominators wrote about how Groves engages and embraces people’s needs with empathy and vigour.

“I have never encountered a colleague so intricately involved in the wellbeing of the community in general, more specifically enhancing medical, mental health, social and addictions care for the vulnerable, marginalized and Aboriginal communities,” they wrote.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno