Dr David Sonnichsen Retiring from Family Practice

31 January 2022

TO:   All Active Patients of Dr David Sonnichsen

RE: Dr Sonnichsen Retirement from Family Practice

Dear Patients,

It is with mixed emotion that I announce my retirement from Family Practice at the end of April 2022. To provide care for my patients has been the most rewarding aspect of my career in Family Medicine and I thank you all for allowing me to contribute to your healthcare over the years.

As I have come to know so many of you and your families as my friends, it saddens me to move on from this career. Having said this however, I would also like to announce that I have accepted a position as a General Practice Oncologist (GPO) with Interior Health at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson. There, I will join a team of providers and together, we will ensure that our high-quality oncology care is locally accessible and sustainable for all our loved ones undergoing cancer related treatments and care.

Currently, efforts are being made to continue care for as many of my patients as possible, especially the most medically vulnerable and high-needs. This will be achieved by facilitating a transfer of care to another physician within the clinic or community. However, the capacity of our current Family Physicians in Nelson is limited, so it’s likely that not all patients will be accommodated with another provider.

We will be in contact with all patients directly by phone, mail, or e-mail within the weeks to come, so please do not overwhelm our reception staff with calls requesting further information at this time. Patients will be triaged to another provider by medical need and the capacity of the other providers, and we ask that you please be patient while we work through this process.

Once again, I would like to thank you all for allowing me to participate in your medical care – it’s been my pleasure! I wish you all good health and happiness in the future.

Respectfully,

David Sonnichsen, MD