Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

By Alyssa Conti

NEW DOCTOR

Chilliwack clinic accepting new patients as province ramps up health care workforce

May 19, 2025 | 12:06 PM

CHILLIWACK — Local patients may have one reason to celebrate Family Doctor Day this May 19, as a new physician joins the team at Wayside Medical Clinic in Chilliwack.

On Friday, May 16, the clinic announced that Dr. Gabriel Pekun will soon be joining the team– and he’s accepting new patients.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta shows Dr. Pekun previously worked as a family doctor in Calgary and has been a Doctor of Medicine in Nigeria since 2013.

The B.C. government has been ramping up its efforts to boost the provincial health care system this year. In March, the province added 6,600 jobs to the health care system by fast-tracking credential recognition from other countries and provinces, as well as working with partners to attract professionals from the states of Washington, Oregon and California.

“Our government is working hard to strengthen care by hiring and training more family doctors so people can get better and faster care, close to home,” said Minister of Health Josie Osborne. “With the uncertainty and chaos happening south of our border, we have an opportunity to attract the skilled health-care workers our province needs to strengthen public health care.”

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A study by the BC College of Family Physicians shows nearly one million British Columbians did not have access to a family doctor in 2022.

Patients interested in booking with Dr. Pekun can pick up a meet and greet form at Wayside Clinic (inside Cascade Pharmacy at 46298 Yale Road).