By Glenn Hicks

Long-time P.A. surgeon to be honoured this spring

Dec 21, 2017 | 1:00 PM

Dr. Randy Friesen, the senior medical officer at the Victoria Hospital has a certain take on life, and an explanation as to why he’s become part of the medical and community fabric of Prince Albert.

“I don’t see the grass on the other side of the fence as being any greener, and if it is greener, maybe that’s just because it’s painted,” he told paNOW with a laugh.

Friesen, who has practiced in the city for almost three decades, will be honoured April 7 at the foundation’s third Annual Doctor’s Gala.

“It feels great to be honoured,” Friesen said. “I see it as a recognition of some of the things I believe in and some of the causes I’ve fought for. But at the same time it’s very humbling because you realize that behind all the accolades and bragging is just an ordinary guy with warts and bumps and some character flaws.”

The foundation and those who know Friesen will argue he is no “ordinary guy.”

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The long-time surgeon exemplifies the sort of wider sense of community the foundation wants to acknowledge.

In a media release it lists some of the ways he has enriched the community and others. He has led numerous volunteer missions abroad, is involved in the performing arts scene, and volunteers as chaplain at the P.A. Correctional centre, among his many pursuits. He’s a strong advocate for northern healthcare and championed fundraising efforts for the hospital, the P.A. Food Bank, YWCA and for Justice and Compassion projects.

When asked about why he has stayed in the community for 27 years Friesen said it wasn’t only about his profession but the community being good to him and his family.

“It isn’t just a case of choosing to stay,” he said. “There were people who made it worth staying and I was given tremendous opportunities in my professional practice. And I was very fortunate to work with gifted people on the clinical side and in the community.”

He adds as a Saskatchewan native it was important for him to be close to family when he started his career and to then embrace the attachments he and his wife forged here.

“In the world I live in, the human attachments are really important and really critical,” he said.

For Sherry Buckler, the executive director of the Victoria Hospital Foundation, Friesen embodies the same value system that the organization does, such as trying to enrich and enhance local healthcare or other organizations that serve to help the community.

“Dr. Friesen personifies that perfectly,” she said.

The Doctor’s Gala, a key fundraiser for hospital equipment, is scheduled for Saturday, April 7.

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow