Patients, staff from the Ashcroft Hospital, the Ashcroft Family Medical Clinic, and Ashcroft IDA Pharmacy, members of council, and members of the Wellness and Health Action Coalition attended a farewell dinner for Dr. Amgad Zake on March 26.
Zake began practice in Ashcroft in March 2016 following successful completion of the Practice Ready Assessment program at Lillooet Hospital. He has been in Canada for four years, and just days before leaving the clinic on March 29 he became a Canadian citizen.
Several attendees stood to say a few words about Zake and his time in the community and what he had meant to them. RN Jacquie McMahon presented Zake with a photograph of the Ashcroft area by local artist Val Teshima, prompting Zake to say that he was sorry to be leaving at this time of year, just as the weather is getting warmer, as he loves the area and its scenery.
He added that while he was alone during his time here, and away from his family, he never felt lonely.
“I felt as if the people here were my family. It’s a very nice, very supportive community, and I had a good relationship with my patients. I’ll miss Ashcroft.”
Zake, who has a son entering university in Canada this fall, will be taking some time to travel to his native Egypt to visit family and friends before exploring different opportunities here in Canada.
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