Community & Culture

We Are IH: Fernie rural family physician praises full-scope care

February 9, 2023
Dr. Joel Stimson with one of his children.

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

Two children burying an adult in the snow. All are smiling.
Dr. Stimson and his children playing in the snow at home.

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.

-- Dr. Joel Stimson
Two adults with two children standing in front of them, all standing in front of a large, colourful sign that reads ‘Playa Del Carmen’ in front of a beach.
Dr. Stimson and his family in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

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.”

A man in a green and grey golf shirt with a grey and white ballcap, wearing a white golf glove on his left hand and holding a club while holding a white golf ball and orange golf tee in his right hand, standing in front of grass and trees.
Dr. Stimson golfing at Fernie Golf Course.

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

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