Elrose honours retiring doctors, welcomes new physicians

By Brenda Fredrickson

On Tuesday, October 28, an appreciative crowd gathered at the Elrose Health Centre to honour retiring doctors, Dr. Dan and Dr. Dave Ledding, and to welcome incoming health providers Dr. Avery Ironside and Dr. Navid Robertson.

Dr. Avery Ironside (front, L) chats with Mark Reed while Randy Marchand visits Judy Ledding as her husband, Dr. Dan Ledding, speaks to her in front of Brenda Fredrickson during an event at the Elrose Health Centre on Tuesday afternoon. People honoured retiring physicians Drs. Dave and Dan Ledding and welcomed incoming doctors Avery Ironside and Navid Robertson. Photo by David McIver

Kerri Calwell, health centre human resources manager, welcomed everyone and introduced the honourees at the head table: Dr. Ironside, Judy Ledding and Dr. Dan Ledding. Unable to attend were Dr. Dave and Marie Ledding and Dr. Robertson. She highlighted the sacrifices doctors make for their patients and added, "Being a doctor in a small, rural setting multiplies those sacrifices tenfold, and yet, here you are - still smiling, still dedicated."

Elrose Mayor Allen McDonald presented flowers and a clock for Dr. Dave, and RM of Monet Reeve Duncan Campbell presented the same to Dr. Dan. The reeve noted that the Leddings enabled Elrose and district residents to be cared for locally as they were instrumental in setting up the clinic in Elrose. The brothers who lived in Rosetown had served the people of Elrose for 32 years.

Mayor McDonald paid tribute to Judy and Marie Ledding, the doctors' wives, who also have made sacrifices for the decades of service and care.

Abisha Bawa, health centre director of care, welcomed Doctors Ironside and Robertson to Elrose and presented a basket of goodies to the incoming doctors. 

Clinic assistant Disha Choudhury then read a message from Dr. Robertson who had been held up in surgery in Swift Current. He noted his gratitude for the mentorship offered to him by Dr. Dan and Dr. Dave and noted that their dedication is so very inspirational.

Coffee, cake and fellowship followed.