Local medical recruiter Fannie Vavoulis is doing such a good job that she recently earned national recognition.
Vavoulis, the medical recruiter and education co-ordinator for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, earned the Canadian Association of Staff Physician Recruiters (CASPR) recruiter recognition award at a conference in Prince Edward Island.
According to a CKHA press release, the award recognizes a physician recruiter that is innovative and a role model in the areas of physician attraction, recruitment and retention activities, in addition to someone who demonstrates commitment and passion for the profession.
Colin Patey, president and CEO of the alliance, said Vavoulis is all that and more.
“She’s so enthusiastic, so informed, so committed to Chatham-Kent. We all know Fannie. She just exudes Chatham-Kent,” he said, adding she is very plugged into the community.
As for Vavoulis, she’s proud of the award but is quick to deflect credit.
“For me, it’s humbling. But I also don’t feel that it is just my award. Many people are involved in the recruitment process. It’s an award for the community,” she said. “We’ve done a great and successful job recruiting physicians here. That says a lot about the community.”
Since joining the alliance, Vavoulis has helped bring in 41 physicians – including 20 family doctors – to Chatham-Kent. The other 21 are specialists.
As Patey, said, Vavoulis is embedded in Chatham-Kent. She moved here at a young age and grew up with her parents owning and running Countryside Restaurant. They ran it for more than three decades, before retiring several years ago.
Vavoulis has blazed her own trail, one that took her to the CKHA nearly four years ago. It seems like a perfect fit.
“The award validates the hard work I’ve put into my job. There hasn’t been a day where I have not enjoyed coming to work.”
As for convincing medical personnel to locate here, Vavoulis said the municipality sells itself.
“I’m fortunate that the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and (the Municipality of) Chatham-Kent let me bring people in here from all over the world to show them what a great place this is for people to live and work,” she said. “I’ve not had a job that I’ve felt so passionate about. I think the award highlights my passion for the community.”
Vavoulis said the award should only help the recruitment process.
“I think there is some credibility that comes with this award. I think our community and our hospital are excellent assets,” she said. “It’s easy for me to bring people to this community and show them the great things available to them.”
Patey said Vavoulis’ award is the latest in a growing string of accolades that have come to the alliance and its staff members.
“What’s so pleasing is these national and provincial awards just keep coming to us,” he said.
Included in the awards is an Ontario Hospital Association honour for the alliance’s housekeeping personnel, a waste management award for the CKHA for its commitment to environmental sustainability, top provincial marks for the inpatient mental health program, as well as an award for quality of care.
“And along came Fannie with this one,” Patey said proudly. “I hope the community understands how well, not just locally or even provincially, but nationally, that the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is doing.
“These are national in scope and are determined by people who don’t live around here and are unbiased.”
