Laurie-Ell Bashforth | Special to the Fitzhugh Finally, the sun. Living in a mountain town makes me appreciate it so much more. A bluebird day changes me from the inside out. Literally. I get a hit of that natural mood lifting hormone Seratonin, and my spirit dances.  I’m not the only one. Seratonin calms and focuses, letting us see clear the possibilities ahead. Like lake days, picnics in the park, ba ...

A family medicine physician with enhanced anesthesia skills will be joining the Hinton Medical Clinic on July 1. Dr. Evan Johnson will increase access to surgery and family medical care for residents of Hinton and area. He will be accepting new patients once he begins work at the clinic and can be reached at 780-865-3338.  “Being so close to the mountains, we welcome many visitors every Canada Day,” says Ma ...

Laurie-Ell Bashforth | Special to the Fitzhugh You can't see it, you can't feel it... sometimes it's hard to believe your high blood pressure is really there. But what you can't feel can hurt you. Have you checked your blood pressure lately? Although there are risk factors, any age, any body can have high blood pressure either episodic or chronic. What can it do to your body?  Your blood provides valua ...

Credit: Alberta Health Services Women ages 50-74 — the group most at risk of developing breast cancer — will have local access to mammography services when the Alberta Health Services Screen Test program arrives in the community later this month. A mobile mammography trailer will be stationed at the Jasper Activity Centre/Jasper Fitness & Aquatics Centre (305 Bonhomme Street) on May 24-27, May 30-31, an ...

The Valemount Mountain Bike Park north of Valemount, B.C. | File photo Sean FitzGerald | Special to the Fitzhugh Time to start storing the skis and start tuning up the bikes. For many of us, this means a transition from winter hibernation to summer madness, and this sudden transition can create issues. Even if you were active over the winter, those activities might not use the same muscles or movements and ...

Laurie-Ell Bashforth | Special to the Fitzhugh The ordeal of cancer can’t be measured. It leaves its mark in the bones of our soul. In April though, the Canadian Cancer Society invites us to turn our attention to the lives and strength of patients and survivors. To not turn away from the visible hold of the disease but rather see past it into the heart of those with it, and those walking the path alongside ...

Peter Shokeir | editor@fitzhugh.ca A new family medicine physician is now providing care at Hinton Medical Clinic and supporting surgery services at the Hinton Healthcare Centre. Dr. Joel Buhiire also has enhanced anesthesia skills. “I’m pleased to welcome Dr. Buhiire to Hinton,” said Martin Long, MLA for West Yellowhead, “both as a physician and as a new member of this beautiful community. I know that, lik ...

The Government of Alberta has lifted nearly all public health measures, which includes ending the provincial mask mandate as of March 1. Masking is still mandated for AHS facilities, continuing care and public transit, and may also be required in municipalities with their own mask bylaws. “I am proud of our province and its people on reaching this milestone," said Premier Jason Kenney in a news release. "Th ...

Jenna McGrath is with her son, Finian, in a dated photo. McGrath has provided doula services for over 11 years in Jasper and Hinton, and she said she puts her heart into the deep level of care she provides to her clients. | Photo by Ashley Kennedy, Kinfolk Photography Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | reporter@fitzhugh.ca For more than 11 years, Jenna McGrath has been assisting famili ...

Local resident Mike Dunn has suffered a severe head injury while vacationing in Mazatlan, Mexico. The family is now fundraising for his medical evacuation. | Supplied photo Peter Shokeir | editor@fitzhugh.ca UPDATE: Mike Dunn was evacuated from Mexico on Feb. 22 on a low-flying leer jet. As of Feb. 23, he was on a ventilator and heavily sedated at the Royal Alex hospital in Edmonton. His family was able to ...