A new report shows that there was a slight decrease in the number of doctors in Lethbridge, but it follows a period of higher growth. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Number of doctors in Lethbridge fairly flat in early 2025 after recent increase

Apr 17, 2025 | 2:35 PM

The number of doctors practicing in Lethbridge in the first three months of 2025 saw a small change.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) has released its report on Physician Resources in Alberta, covering the period from January 1 to March 31, 2025.

At the end of March, a total of 309 fully registered physicians were working in the city. That is down by one compared to the previous quarter, but is still up by six from the same time last year.

This, however, follows a growth of 27 doctors between June 2023 and June 2024.

Last summer, the City of Lethbridge approved a $15,000 marketing strategy to recruit more physicians. Council went over the findings of this strategy at this week’s meeting.

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It says that storytelling has been the most successful way to connect with prospective new residents and that digital campaigns proved to be fruitful.

Some ads used the tagline “10 minutes to the hospital. 10 minutes to the trails.”

One sponsored post on Facebook includes a quote from Dr. Kristin Derdall, an anesthesiologist at Chinook Regional Hospital, who says she is grateful for the short commutes and easy access to work and extracurricular activities.

The City received seven inquiries from doctors between July and December 2024, which included five from western Canada and one each from the U.K. and Spain.

Two interested candidates still needed more credentialling before they could be recruited, while another visited a local clinic and is considering an employment offer.

Ten municipal leaders throughout the region were asked to sign a joint advocacy letter to the provincial government for more help in recruiting doctors. Coaldale was among those that added their signatures.

READ MORE: Lethbridge & Coaldale to work together on attracting medical specialists

Although there are currently no family doctors in Lethbridge that are accepting new patients, AlbertaFindADoctor.ca shows there are spaces in Taber, Milk River, Magrath, Cardston and Pincher Creek.

The CPSA also reports that Brooks gained one doctor in the first quarter of 2025 while Medicine Hat lost four.

The full report can be found on the CPSA website.

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