Awards

Saskatchewan Family Physician of the Year Award

Dr. Allan Fong

Dr. Allan Fong was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, to Philip and Gloria Fong. His father, one of the physicians recruited during the doctors’ strike when Medicare was first introduced, served the community as a GP, surgeon, and extended care physician for 50 years until his retirement at the age of 86.

After graduating from high school, Dr. Allan Fong attended the University of Saskatchewan, where he completed one year of Arts and Science followed by one year of Pharmacy, though his ultimate goal remained a career in medicine. While in Saskatoon, he also competed as a sprinter with the U of S Track and Field team and was honored with the Rookie of the Year award in his first year.

Following his studies in Saskatoon, Dr. Allan Fong chose to attend his father’s alma mater in Galway, Ireland, where he enrolled in the six-year medical program, followed by a year of internship. He then moved to Northern Ireland to complete his Family Medicine residency. It was there, through a series of fortunate circumstances, that he met his wife, Mary, who was completing her Internal Medicine residency at the same hospital.

Early in their relationship, Dr. Fong and Mary decided to establish their medical careers in Canada. Mary transferred into a Family Medicine program, which allowed them to begin practicing together in Weyburn. In 1998, they joined Dr. Fong’s father’s clinic, where they worked alongside his sister Katie, also a GP. Together, they managed busy clinics while balancing ER coverage, OR assists, deliveries, and hospital in-patient care.

After 22 years of working in Weyburn, they decided to make the move to Regina, and joined the physicians at Victoria East Medical Clinic in the infancy of COVID, which has turned out to be one of the best decisions they have ever made.  While they miss Weyburn immensely, it has been an amazing lightening of the workload, and their work/life balance has been wonderful ever since.  Many of their long-time Weyburn patients continued their care with them in Regina, something for which Dr. Fong is deeply grateful. Today, his work is primarily clinic-based, though he continues to return to Weyburn regularly to assist in the operating room.

SCFP AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Dr. Taofiq Segun Oyedokun

Dr Taofiq (Segun) Oyedokun is a Clinical Associate Professor at the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, an Emergency Physician/Trauma Team Leader with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and a Transport Physician with the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS). He also serves as an Assistant Program Director for the Saskatchewan International Physicians Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program, supporting the Supervision phase of the program. He is actively involved in patient-oriented research and leads quality improvement initiatives.

Outside of medicine, he enjoys travelling with his wife and spending time with his two sons, now young adults. The youngest recently left home for school in Calgary, making him an official “empty nester.” He is also passionate about soccer and proudly represents Canada internationally with the Canadian Medical Soccer Team.

SCFP AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Dr. Audrey Van Zanten

Dr. Audrey van Zanten grew up in South Africa, where she completed her medical degree at the University of Pretoria. She went on to work in the UK and Scotland, earning a diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Edinburgh before making her way to Saskatchewan, which she now calls home.

With 29 years of experience in family medicine, Dr. van Zanten is passionate about clinical work and caring for patients from all walks of life. She has a special interest in women’s health and geriatrics. For the past eight years, she has also had the privilege of working at the University of Saskatchewan’s Student Wellness Centre, where she enjoys supporting the health and wellbeing of a younger, vibrant demographic alongside her family practice.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Van Zanten treasures time with family and friends. She is deeply honored to be nominated for this award and looks forward to many more years of serving her patients and collaborating with her colleagues.

SCFP Dr. Michael Krochak Award

Dr. Andrea Vasquez Camargo

Dr. Vasquez Camargo is a Family Physician and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Originally from Colombia, she completed medical school before moving to Canada in 2005. After four years in a General Surgery residency, she pursued a Master of Science degree and transitioned into Family Medicine, completing her residency in Regina in 2016. Since beginning her practice in 2017, Dr. Vasquez Camargo has demonstrated an enduring commitment to patient care, teaching, and mentorship. She coordinates the provincial Evidence-Based Medicine curriculum, contributes extensively to surgical skills training, and co-authored an eBook on procedural skills for family medicine. Her leadership and research include projects on Long COVID-19 Condition, immigrant health, curriculum innovation, and advancing virtual care for Indigenous communities in Jujuy, Argentina. Her career reflects a steadfast dedication to education, equity, and patient-centered care, qualities that continue to inspire colleagues and learners alike.

SCFP Dr. Michael Krochak Award

Dr. Clara Rocha Michaels

Dr. Clara Rocha Michaels is a Family Physician and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Originally from Colombia, she practiced as a general practitioner before moving to Saskatchewan in 2007 to pursue her Family Medicine residency. From the beginning of her career, Dr. Rocha Michaels has been driven by her passion for Family Medicine and the opportunity it provides to deliver personalized, patient-centered care. Since completing her residency, she has contributed extensively to teaching, curriculum development, and mentorship within the Family Medicine program. She coordinates the surgical skills training and co-authored an eBook on procedural skills for family medicine. Her research and leadership extend to projects on Long COVID-19 Condition, immigrant health, curriculum development, and the use of virtual care to support remote Indigenous communities in Jujuy, Argentina. Her career reflects her dedication to advancing patient care, education, and health equity.

SCFP RESIDENT LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Dr. Natasha Premji

Natasha Premji is a PGY-3 CCFP–Emergency Medicine resident in Regina, having completed her family medicine training through the University of Saskatchewan’s Southeast program. She previously served as the lead resident for the Southeast site and chaired the provincial lead resident subcommittee, advocating for resident wellness, curriculum development, and site-specific improvements. Natasha has a strong interest in rural and emergency medicine, academic leadership, and inclusive care—particularly in women’s and transgender health. Her dedication to mentorship and lifelong learning reflects a holistic, patient-centered approach to medical practice.

SCFP MEDICAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD

Erin Tilk

Erin grew up on an acreage just south of Saskatoon. She is a proud graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, where she earned both her undergraduate Bachelor of Science and her Doctor of Medicine degrees. During her time in medical school, she was lucky to be heavily involved in student leadership, serving as the Co-President of the Health Sciences Students’ Association. She also held various roles in many other groups, including the Wellness Team, Students for Harm Reduction and Informed Policy, and many different mentorship and medical education initiatives.

Erin’s love for family medicine was solidified in her fourth year of medical school when she completed family medicine rotations in Saskatoon, Melfort, and Moose Jaw. She credits the amazing physicians she met on these rotations for instilling in her a love for comprehensive family medicine, and is so grateful for their patience, kindness, and expertise over the years. Though she’s still a newbie, her favourite part of her job has been getting to know her patients and her co-residents, and she is excited to work with future medical students, and try to instill in them the same love for family medicine which has been instilled in her. Her future career interests include broad-scope family medicine, minor procedures, and medical education.

Outside of medicine, Erin enjoys playing as many sports as she can, spending time with her family and friends, and being outside as much as her work schedule will allow. She is thrilled to be able to continue her training as a resident in her hometown and hopes she can convince her new co-residents to love this province as much as she does.