Name: Dr. Joel Stimson (he/him/his)
Job Title: Full-scope rural family physician
Years of Service: 6
Worksite: Elk Valley Hospital
Community: Fernie
Ancestral Territory: Ktunaxa
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “I may not be the best doctor, but I’m the best doctor working that shift.” This helps ease the anxiety of working in a rural community, and pushes me to work towards being the best physician I can.
Born in Halifax and raised in Calgary, Dr. Joel Stimson has always known he loved all aspects of medicine, which is why he chose rural family medicine. Dr. Stimson describes himself as passionate, caring, a team player and hard working, all vital to being a full-scope rural family physician out of the Elk Valley Hospital in Fernie.
“I love variety. Providing birth-to-grave care allows me to be involved with the families and people in need. Being part of patients’ highs and lows, and critical life decisions, is an honour.”
Learn more about his journey with IH
When asked about one of his proudest moments at Interior Health, Dr. Stimson tells a story of when he was the emergency department doctor when a young patient came in who was hit by a car.
“We stabilized him and I rode in the ambulance with him. We stopped in Cranbrook to get more blood products and got him to the airport, after which he received life-saving care. He still comes back to my office and is doing well. His common-law partner (my patient) and he are both forever appreciative. This was the full-scope practice I had been looking for.”
Like many who come to the B.C. Interior, Dr. Stimson enjoys outdoor activities through all seasons, including golfing, biking, playing hockey and skiing. “But, most importantly, spending time with my young family.”
A little-known fact about Dr. Stimson is that he used to struggle to meet people and socialize. Because of this, he got a job working as a barista at Starbucks, which is where he met his wife, Dana.
Dr. Stimson feels that “the future of medicine is bright, especially after changes brought on by the pandemic.”
With ongoing recognition of the critical role of family physicians, I see a change in the culture of the former ‘just a [general practitioner (GP)]’ attitude. Recognizing the time, care and compassion required to be a GP, and the difficulty but reward of being a family doctor, will serve our patients and our profession going forward.
For anyone who is hesitant to do family practice, rural in particular, Dr. Stimson is always happy to discuss the amazing benefits of working rural, and how to minimize fears of “being alone.”
“Plus it’s only eight minutes to the ski hill from my house.”
Joel nominates Edward Schaffer, Rural Family Doctor to keep We Are IH going:
“Ed is in his sixth year of practice (we graduated together from the University of Calgary). He recently gave up obstetrics but he, too, is providing full-scope family practice. When Invermere lost a number of doctors, he picked up the slack and covered more emergency shifts to keep that town functioning. Plus, he is the doctor for the Calgary Stampede, so having a cowboy would be an interesting read.” – Dr. Joel Stimson
Explore Physician Careers@IH
By sharing his story, Dave hopes others struggling with addiction understand that recovery is possible and that support is available.
/stories/what-worked-me-daves-healing-journey-addiction
For IH, wildfire preparedness is shaped by years of experience, regular training, exercises, inventories and relationships with partners across the region.
/stories/ih-prepares-wildfire-season-long-smoke-arrives
IH’s CMH redevelopment team travelled around Cariboo to reconnect with Indigenous communities and share how their input is shaping the hospital's new building.
/stories/closing-circle-indigenous-communities-shaping-future-cmh
Chris Turner turned to addiction as a teenager, but through his recovery has become a mentor to give hope to others battling addiction.
/stories/what-worked-me-chriss-focus-daily-skills-helps-recovery
Find tips for walking, biking or rolling to school safely. Learn how to make it safer to travel to school in your community.
/stories/how-walk-bike-or-roll-school-safely
For Kelli Hartman, nursing was never just a career choice. It was a calling. What she didn't expect was where that calling would take her.
/stories/we-are-ih-retired-nurse-still-makes-difference-long-term-care
STAY CONNECTED
Receive news, alerts, public service announcements and articles right to your inbox.
