A pair of physicians are getting ready in the coming weeks to open the doors on the brand-new St. Adolphe Medical Clinic, significantly expanding primary care options for residents of St. Adolphe and the surrounding area.
The husband and wife team, Mayowa and Lyness Fetuga, are excited to open their family practice from the same building as the St. Adolphe Pharmacy.
Currently, Mayowa practices in Winnipeg while Lyness completes her residency in family medicine. By November, Mayowa anticipates working out of the St. Adolphe Clinic three days per week with the intention of eventually making it a full-time practice. Lyness will join him at the conclusion of her residency.
The St. Adolphe Medical Clinic is the product of a 12-year dream for pharmacy owner Massoud Horriat. That’s how long he’s been retrofitting the other half of his building and seeking a doctor willing to practice there.
When the Fetugas met Massoud and learned of the opportunity, they were immediately moved by both the man and the community he serves.
“When I spoke to Massoud, he told me how receptive the people are here,” says Mayowa. “Also, the dire need of doctors. People have to travel a considerable distance to see a family doctor and that made me feel bad. I used to practice in the UK myself and, there, people literally just walk into the clinic to see their family doctor. And it’s just a five-minute walk. If they have to drive 15 minutes, they’re like, ‘No, that’s too far.’”
He feels equally bad that elderly patients have to find a way to get to their doctor. In the UK, doctors still make house calls for aging patients.
There are only a few minor details to complete before the doors of the clinic can open. The facility has its own private, fully accessible entrance facing the street. Upon entering, patients are greeted by a large reception and waiting area. Two examination rooms are ready to go, both outfitted with new examination beds and furnishings.
In true Massoud fashion, the clinical dream doesn’t end here. If all goes well, he hopes to expand his building to make room for an onsite lab.
“This building, I hope, will provide full service for the whole community,” says Massoud.
While Massoud owns the clinic space, the Fetugas will operate their medical practice as a separate entity from the pharmacy.
If there are any shortcomings with the Fetugas, perhaps it’s the fact that they don’t speak French. However, they believe that hiring a bilingual receptionist will help fill that gap.
In the meantime, between the physicians and the pharmacist, they are fluent in five languages, including some African and Indian dialects. According to Massoud, many families living in the community will benefit from their knowledge in these languages.
For a patient to transition from their current doctor to the St. Adolphe Medical Clinic, it’s a fairly simple process of transferring files.
In the beginning, Mayowa suggests that prospective patients book a brief get-to-know-you appointment with him. If they feel that the relationship is a good fit, they are welcome to make the move.
“This is such a huge attribute to the community,” says St. Adolphe councillor Jason Bodnarchuk. “I remember when I first got onto council, [Massoud] snuck me back here and showed me [his plan]. This is exactly what this community needs. We really want the aging-in-place [opportunities] to continue to happen and healthcare is a major part of that.”
This new clinic won’t only benefit residents of St. Adolphe, he adds. It will serve the entire municipality.
The Fetugas aren’t deterred by the idea of practicing in rural Manitoba. If things go well, they say, they may just move their family of five to the community as time goes on.