The Bow Island Medical Clinic pictured on March 18, 2025. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

HEALTH CARE

Physicians close Bow Island and Foremost practices, County of Forty Mile says

Mar 18, 2025 | 4:25 PM

A pair of physicians that served the County of Forty Mile have closed their practices, leaving a gap in primary care for hundreds of people who live south and west of Medicine Hat.

Doctors Joy and Andrew Okoror closed their practices at the Bow Island and Foremost medical clinics due to “unforeseen circumstances” as of March 12, the county said Tuesday.

The Palliser Primary Care Network the clinics belong to said it’s working with Alberta Health Services to find both fill-in and permanent replacements.

The network’s executive director Treena Klassen also acknowledged that “people may need to travel for care at this time.”

Without the Okorors, there remains only one physician at the Bow Island clinic, according to the Palliser network. The Foremost clinic will be temporarily closed until a new physician is available, the county said.

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The two doctors came to Bow Island in fall 2023 to replace one physician who retired and another who moved out of the role, according to a 2024 report from the town’s mayor.

Dr. Paul Parks said the Foremost clinic’s closure will place more strain on the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital emergency room.

This is a developing story. More details to follow.