The Medicine Hat Hospital has confirmed that Dr Paul Parks has stepped down as chief of the emergency department. Parks was well known for advocating for improvements to emergency rooms not only in Medicine hat but across the province. He declined requests for an interview. His replacement, Dr. Justin Koop, has also informed the hospital that he will be leaving the city this fall. Alberta Health Services says that is a pill to swallow, but they are hoping that with plenty of lead time, they can recruit a new chief of emergency medicine before then.