Physicians

Dr Jacques Branch currently practises family and emergency medicine in rural Alberta.  He received his medical degree from the University of Western Ontario graduating with the Richard Ivey Award for excellence in Family Medicine. He completed his residency specializing in Family Medicine at the University of Calgary and was board certified in that same year. Dr Branch has been active in teaching resident physicians over the past five years and holds the title of Clinical Lecture through the University of Calgary, Department of Family Medicine.

Dr Branch has a special interest in leading edge technology and how it can improve patient care and outcomes. This contributed to him being selected to the Southern Alberta PCN IT leadership committee representing over 500 physicians. He is frequently invited to participate in and chair various provincial initiatives aimed at improving primary health care; including Canada Infoway's Chronic Disease and the Alberta NetCare Portal clinical working groups.

He has been asked to speak at various provincial forums on topics including technology in primary care and office processes by organizations such as the Alberta Medical Association and Alberta's Primary Care Initiative Program.

Dr Branch has participated and led numerous medical missions around the world and is active in youth programs in his community.

Dr. Congdon graduated from the University of Calgary, Class of 1977 and then completed her Family Practice residency in London, Ontario. She joined the Foothills Family Medical Centre group in November 1980 and has remained in practice here since. At this time her clinical practice is part time, due to her administrative commitments outlined below.

Over the years Dr. Congdon was involved with the formation of what is now our current Ambulance Service and was one of the champions of the development of this system from a basic response service into the first class paramedic service it is today. She even trained as a 911 dispatcher! She was Chief of Staff at Oilfields General Hospital in the mid 1990s and the Medical Director of Headwaters Health Authority from 1998 to 2003. This role has developed into an administration role with Alberta Health Services, currently as the Department Head for Rural Medicine in the Calgary Zone. This position is one of leadership of the physicians in the communities surrounding Calgary. Challenges in this role are many and include recruitment and retention of physicians, championing skill development and maintenance, and implementing best practices.

Dr. Congdon was born in Medicine Hat and raised in Redcliff, Alberta. She enjoys spending time with her family being the middle of five children. She has one daughter, Amy, who is a Chemical engineer and resides in Edmonton with her husband Logan.

When not working, Dr. Congdon supports the local Diamond Valley arts and music community. She enjoys the Okanagan and owns a place there. In addition she volunteers time to a personal development organization called “Inside Out Leadership Development”.

After 3yrs of undergraduate studies at the University of Calgary, Dr Grisdale attended Calgary's Medical School graduating in 1992. His family medicine residency was at the Calgary General Hospital from 1992 to 1994. He has been practising comprehensive family medicine in Black Diamond since Jan 1995.  He has been an associate professor with the University of Calgary teaching residents and medical students in Black Diamond since 2000.

He has additional training and interest in: Occupational Medicine, Travel Medicine and Sports Medicine/MSK problems.  He has worked as a medical consultant in occupational/travel medicine for ECM group over the past 9yrs and Shell Canada for 4yrs.
 
He has been heavily involved in medical politics since 1996.  He was President of the Oilfields Hospital medical staff from 1996-2005, President of the Region 3 Med staff association 1996-2003, Alberta Medical Association (AMA) board of directors 2001- 2010 and President of the AMA 2008-09.
 
He is a 3rd generation Calgarian living with his wife and four children in the south end of the city.  He tries to make time to follow his passions of playing soccer, running, and golf.  He is a past National Champion in soccer with the Calgary Caledonian soccer club in 1999 and 2003. More recently in the O35 category they were Western National Champions in 2008. When not playing he helps coach his children's soccer teams.

A recent severe injury has set him back for a year but he will be back on the pitch in 2010!

Dr. Higgin was born and raised in Calgary.  He was a teacher in Calgary with the Calgary Public School board for four years before deciding to go back to medical school.   Graduating from the University of Calgary in 1997 with his MD, he did his family medicine residency at the Rockyview Hospital in Calgary and at the Foothills Family Medical Centre under Dr. Siray and Dr. Cunning.  In 1999 Dr. Higgin began his family practice in Black Diamond and enjoys the mix of full time family practice with working in the emergency room at Oilfields Hospital.  Dr. Higgin recently furthered his education by achieving his Emergency Medicine designation from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He is currently the Chief of Staff at Oilfields General Hospital.

When not working, Dr. Higgin enjoys spending time with his family.  His wife and three children enjoy going on adventures in their motorhome.  Dr. Higgin also enjoys many sports and plays hockey regularly, and tries to golf when he can.

Dr. Lumby graduated from the University of Calgary with her medical degree then did her residency training at the University of British Columbia.  She loves the foothills and has been practicing medicine in Black Diamond since 1993.  She has a real passion for womens health but loves all aspects of family medicine.  She lives locally with her two sons and her black labrador retriever.

Dr. Ray grew up in North Vancouver, British Columbia.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University.  Prior to entering Medical school, Dr. Ray was enrolled in graduate studies working towards a PhD at the University of British Columbia.  He attended Medical School at UBC and completed his Family Practise residency through the University of Calgary.  A large part of this training was performed here in Black Diamond.  Dr. Ray opened his practise in Black Diamond in 2002.  In addition to his clinical practice he works regularly in the emergency department at the Oilfields Hospital in Black Diamond.  Dr. Ray worked on the neonatal resuscitation team at the Rockyview Hospital for 6 years.  He also has a special interest in Occupational Medicine and is a medical consultant for Shell Canada LTD.  He also works regularly providing Surgical Assisting in the operating room at the Rockyview Hospital.   

He lives in DeWinton with his wife and three children.

Dr. Siray grew up in Nobleford Alberta.  He obtained his medical degree from the University of Alberta and completed his family practise residency at the Holy Cross Hospital through the University of Calgary.  After graduation Dr. Siray moved to the Millarville area and began practising in Black Diamond in 1984 where he continues today.  Dr. Siray helped co-found the residency training progarm here in Black Diamond in 1990.  Dr. Siray had an avid obstetrical practise but retired shortly after delivering his first "second generation" baby. 

Dr. Siray has a special interest in pediatrics especially ADHD and learning disabilities and was instrumental in establishing the Foothills Pediatric Assessment Clinic through our Local Primary Care Network (PCN).  This clinic allows for a much quicker assessment of children suspected of having learning disabilities.

Dr. Siray is an avid gardener and skiier who loves hiking, traveling, fishing and mountain biking.  He still resides in Millarville with his wife.  His four sons are currently attending university.