the apccoa is giving a voice to primary care clinic owners
as a non-physician clinic owner, imad juma struggled to have a voice in alberta’s health-care landscape — until he joined this association
published feb 02, 2026
3 minute read
3 minute read
juma’s medical clinic in edmonton, alta. supplied
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two years ago, imad juma took an entrepreneurial leap by launching a medical clinic and pharmacy in edmonton, alta.
driven by optimism, juma aimed to combine his business expertise with his wife’s background as a registered pharmacist to make a meaningful difference in their community. since its opening, juma’s clinic and pharmacy has received praise from patients for its exceptional level of care and clean, friendly atmosphere.
now, however, juma describes the decision to open the clinic as “a mistake.” he explains, “i am shocked by the lack of government support and the immense challenges faced by clinic owners. no one is listening, and the policies are outdated. ultimately, it’s the patients who bear the consequences.”
unfortunately, juma is one of many primary care clinic owners across alberta who are feeling the strain of operating a primary care clinic. recent reports indicate that several primary care clinics have closed across alberta over the past two years, leaving thousands of patients without a family doctor.
alberta’s primary care clinic owners face persistent and substantial obstacles such as rising operational costs, a shortage of physicians, unsustainable business models and difficulties obtaining funding. monthly overhead costs typically include rent, staff salaries, utilities, debt repayment, medical and office supplies, insurance, cleaning services and taxes.
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when government reimbursement is limited and outdated policies do not reflect the current economic realities of running a clinic, owners often shoulder much of the financial burden themselves, increasingly leading to bankruptcy and clinic closures.
“we haven’t had a meaningful voice at the table,” says juma, seen here with his wife ruaa, who is also the clinic’s pharmacist. supplied
juma’s journey — from an mba graduate with a passion for health care to a frustrated clinic owner — reveals the deep flaws in alberta’s system. his difficulties are compounded by the fact that he is a non-physician owner — which, according to the college of physicians and surgeons of alberta, involves a different set of professional and regulatory obligations than physician clinic owners.
juma explains that non-physician owners are seen as a “conflict of interest” within alberta’s health-care landscape. rather than being recognized as 2022年世界杯预选赛比分表re, they are often excluded by provincial health-care organizations and left out of policy discussions. juma notes, “we are very limited in our ability to advocate for practical solutions and more effective, patient-centered primary care models. we haven’t had a meaningful voice at the table.”
fortunately, juma’s search for support and solutions led him to the alberta primary care clinic owners association (apccoa), a non-profit organization committed to bringing together both physician and non-physician clinic owners who have struggled for a voice in alberta’s health-care landscape and are advocating for change. the association’s mission is to ensure the long-term sustainability of primary care clinics and improve access to healthcare for all albertans — a mission that has never been more urgent.
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by joining the apccoa, juma found a community of peers facing similar challenges, and finally felt heard in a system that had previously left him isolated. the association offers him the opportunity to collaborate, share resources and advocate for meaningful changes that could benefit clinic owners and patients alike.
today, along with running his clinic, juma utilizes his business acumen as treasurer of apccoa, where he continues to champion the needs of alberta’s primary care clinic owners. he credits apccoa as “the only hope in this sector.”
finally, we have a voice. without apccoa, our struggles would go unheard,” says juma.
for more information or to join, visit apccoa.ca or contact info@apccoa.ca.
this story was provided by apccoa for commercial purposes.
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