Thieves stole medical equipment valued at about $40,000 from the Greenwood Family Physicians clinic early on Saturday morning.
Emotionally speaking, the experience left Dr. Eugene Landsbergen feeling violated, he told the Round Up on Monday, when the clinic was open and seeing patients.
During the early morning hours of July 22, two thieves wearing hoodies were captured on video breaking into the clinic and walking out with, among other items, an ultrasound machine acquired in 2015 at a cost of about $40,000, he said, adding birth control pills were also stolen as well as a computer used for lung examinations.
The ultrasound machine was not obtained as a means of generating revenue but rather improving the level of service offered to patients. For example, expectant mothers can be reassured that even if their baby's heartbeat cannot be felt, it can be seen right away without having to send the patient hours away for exams in Red Deer or Olds. Additionally, an ultrasound machine can be used to detect potential aneurisms in the aorta as well as calcium buildup in the carotid artery and for guided injections also, he said.
"We pick up things that people are worried about ó lumps and bumps, we can see right away."
An RCMP forensics team was dispatched later on Saturday morning to gather evidence such as fingerprints, footprints and some tools, including a pry bar, that the culprits abandoned at the scene, he said, adding the suspects also tried to gain access to the adjacent liquor store by bashing holes through the conjoining wall. Despite their efforts, the thieves were unable to get through.
The doctor said he is not interested in punishing whoever is responsible, and that his primary concern is getting the equipment back.
"It's part of the service we deliver."
Although there was a potential breach of patient privacy, he said, "Most of our patient information is online. It doesn't look like personal information has been compromised."
Plans to prevent similar occurrences in the future will include improved door locks as well as the installation of an alarm system, he said.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Sundre RCMP at 403-638-3675.
