Dr. Setorme Tsikata

In the July-August 2019 edition of Alberta Doctors’ Digest, the AMA proudly Shines A Light on Dr. Setorme Tsikata.

Finding fulfillment in treating the whole patient

A grateful patient nominated Dr. Setorme Tsikata, a family physician practicing in Edmonton's Wolf Willow Medical Clinic, for recognition by the AMA's Shine A Light program.

In her nomination, Dr. Tsikata’s patient expressed gratitude for her doctor’s actions, which she described as going “above and beyond” in many ways, including staying in close phone contact – even while Dr. Tsikata was abroad and off duty – to ensure that the patient complied with recommendations for further medical care to avoid a potentially catastrophic outcome.

Dr. Tsikata’s patient describes a dedicated physician who recommended all the necessary lab tests to help determine the cause of her illness and followed up on the tests with close analysis of the results. Even while away from the office in Chicago, Dr. Tsikata monitored the progress of her patient and contacted her regarding deteriorating test results. With the knowledge that her patient had imminent overseas travel plans, Dr. Tsikata worked within a tight timeline to arrange a long-distance referral to the ER and recommended that her patient not proceed with her travel plans.

After additional tests, the attending ER physicians confirmed Dr. Tsikata's concerns. The patient was relieved that she had acted upon Dr. Tsikata’s advice and cancelled her trip abroad, potentially averting a health care situation nobody wants to contemplate.

Subsequently, the patient has settled into a course of continuing care for her condition and is grateful to Dr. Tsikata “for her persistence, her caring and her phenomenal work attending to my health care.” She adds, “I believe she has saved my last few years in a form where I can enjoy time with my husband of 46 years, my son and grandchildren.”

• Continue reading Dr. Setorme Tsikata's Shine A Light profile (Alberta Doctors’ Digest, March - April 2019)

About Shine A Light Initiated by Dr. Alison Clarke during her 2018-19 term as AMA President, Shine A Light recognizes and profiles AMA member physicians who are making a difference by: Spearheading projects that improve patient and/or community life Diligently following/tracking patients to ensure coordinated care Working long hours and adjusting schedules to meet patient needs Contributing to Alberta’s vision of a high-performing health care system Do you know a physician who goes above and beyond to care for his/her patients? If yes, please complete the Shine A Light nomination form.