University of Alberta Closes Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic

The University of Alberta (U of A) has announced the impending closure of the Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic (GSSMC) in January 2024, a decision that will affect over 20 staff members and disrupt services for thousands of patients. Established in 1998, the clinic has been a cornerstone of Edmonton’s sports medicine community, providing essential care to active individuals seeking rehabilitation and physiotherapy.

Dr. Marni Wesner, who joined the clinic shortly after its inception, expressed her dismay at the announcement. “I was shocked. Disappointed. Concerned about where we are going to be able to continue to provide care for our patients because we care deeply for our patients,” she stated. The U of A acknowledged the clinic’s closure was a significant loss but cited financial challenges as the driving force behind the decision.

The GSSMC had become a model for integrated sports medicine services, recording approximately 24,000 patient visits in 2024. However, the clinic has faced ongoing financial difficulties, with operating losses reported between $600,000 and $900,000 annually over the past three years. A statement from the university indicated that, “Despite efforts to adapt to this shifting environment, the financial position of the clinic has made it unsustainable.”

Dr. Wesner noted that she learned of the closure not in a meeting, but through a brief email notification. “There’s never been any discussion, never any collaboration with us… the professionals who are working in the clinic,” she remarked, highlighting a lack of communication regarding the clinic’s future.

The GSSMC was relocated to the Kaye Edmonton Clinic as part of a broader integration into university services, which included areas such as parking and the bookstore. This restructuring came with the expectation that the clinic should either break even or generate profit, a standard that is seldom met in medical settings. Dr. Wesner emphasized that most medical clinics do not operate for profit, raising concerns about the feasibility of the expectations placed on the GSSMC.

As the closure date approaches, Dr. Wesner and her colleagues are working diligently to ensure a smooth transition for their patients. They are currently informing patients about referral options and aim to establish a private practice that retains the same level of care and services offered at the GSSMC. “This is not the end of the Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic. The clinic is not the four walls that house it. The clinic is the people in it,” she affirmed.

The staff’s commitment to their patients remains steadfast, but the challenge lies ahead as they strive to minimize disruptions. The U of A’s decision has sent ripples through the community, affecting not only the clinic’s dedicated team but also the many Edmontonians who have relied on its services for their rehabilitation and health needs.