Moosomin physician honoured by College of Family Physicians of Canada
Dr. H. Schalk Van der Merwe was recently awarded the 2024 Family Physician of the Year – Saskatchewan by the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He and his wife immigrated to Saskatchewan from South Africa and established his practice in 1999. Currently, he practices at the Moosomin Family Practice Centre alongside several other physicians. This includes Dr. Ettiene Crouse, a fellow South African transplant who initially recruited him to Moosomin. Another of these decades-long colleagues, Dr. Ross Kerkhoff nominated him for this award.
“Dr. Van der Merwe leads by example,” said Dr. Kerkhoff, “and has taught me – and countless other healthcare professionals – the importance of teamwork, advocacy and service for patients, staff, colleagues and community. His work has truly amplified the voice of rural family physicians in Saskatchewan.”
Being nominated by fellow physicians, other health-care professionals, his office staff and the mayor of Moosomin, means the most to Dr. Van de Merwe, but he also gives them credit for this award.
“I think the most important part of an award like this is to recognize not only individuals but the team around them – your nurse team, lab team, x-ray team and more,” said Dr. Van de Merwe. “It is great for me to get the award, but really without the team to support you, my work couldn’t happen.”
Dr. Van der Merwe has taken on many leadership positions throughout his career, including Area Division Lead in March 2020, and as Area Chief of Staff, Southeast, alongside Dr. Ajibola Ogunbiyi in 2023. His colleagues note his compassionate, collaborative nature and the multiple ways he supports physicians in his area.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority congratulates Dr. Van der Merwe and thanks him for his dedication to serving rural Saskatchewan and providing exceptional physician leadership to the southeast.
