New physicians have made their way to the rural southeast as part of the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment program which began in December.

The physicians include Anureet Gill and Gbemisola Osanyin, practicing in Radville, and Mitra Jonoobi who is practicing in Carlyle.

They're part of a group of fourteen physicians who are practicing in rural Saskatchewan following their completion of the SIPPA program.

Over the past 12 years, 539 physicians from around the world have successfully completed the SIPPA program. Currently, 304 are practicing in the province, 77 per cent of whom have established practice in rural or regional communities.

"SIPPA plays an important role in our ongoing physician recruitment efforts, and we are pleased to see its continued success," Rural and Remote Health Minister Tim McLeod said. "I extend my sincere congratulations to the latest group of physicians to complete the program and am happy to welcome them and their families to communities throughout the province."

The SIPPA program assesses internationally educated physicians on their medical training and clinical ability as part of the licensure process to practice medicine in Saskatchewan.

Through a return-of-service contract, they agree to work in the province for a minimum of three years upon completion of the SIPPA assessment. 

Dr. Jon Witt, SIPPA's program director at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine thanks the physicians for choosing Saskatchewan as their destination to continue their medical career in Canada. "I know that their communities appreciate the time, dedication and all the hard work to successfully complete their clinical field assessment and are looking forward to welcoming them on this next step in their journey."