By Nigel Maxwell

Small town doctor named #1

May 15, 2014 | 5:00 PM

Saskatchewan's top doctor doesn't live in Saskatoon or Regina, but rather a small community southeast of Melfort.

Doctor Gert Pieterse has been living in Porcupine Plain for near two decades. He was recently named the 2014 Physician of the Year by the Saskatchewan Medical Association.

“I was fairly surprised but I couldn't have done it without my patients,” said Dr. Pieterse.

As the only doctor in Porcupine Plain, Pieterse has an intense work load. The community has a population of roughly 850, but taking into account the surrounding rural area, Pieterse's patient load can exceed 3,000.

“There is an old saying that if you like your job, you won't work a day in your life,” he said.

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The Kelsey Trail Health Region is actively searching for a partner or associate for Dr. Pieterse, but he recognizes that the search can be very difficult.

“Unfortunately not a lot of younger people and not a lot of physicians really want to come and work in a small town where you are fairly secluded. The closest other community, Tisdale, is nearly an hour away.”

Recognizing that he has a heavy work load, Dr. Pieterse considers himself to be fairly lucky. He told paNOW that he has a great team that looks after him.

“He’s become very involved in the community and he’s sort of very compassionate and makes his patient care part of his daily routine, and very personalized,” Dr. Daliber, SMA President.

Dr. Peiterse’s wife Sandra is a nurse practitioner. They share duties within the practice, which makes their work a family business.

Pieterse received his award, during a special event in Regina last Friday.

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell