Physician recruitment efforts are bearing fruit, as five new physicians have joined Chatham-Kent’s health-care community.
Even better, most are accepting new patients.
Spread across the municipality, the new faces include Dr. Kaelan Harwood at the Chatham-Kent Family Health Team (CKFHT) in Blenheim; Dr. Adebisi Ogundipe with the CKFHT in Wallaceburg; Dr. Paige Parent, with the Thamesview Family Health Team (TFHT) in Wheatley; Dr. Syed Shah with the CKFHT in Chatham; and Dr. Adib Shamsuddin joins the TFHT in Chatham.
According to a municipal media release, addition of the new doctors reflects continued progress in improving access to primary care, as well as collaborative efforts in physician recruitment.
Mayor Darrin Canniff acknowledges that access to medical care is one of the most important issues facing residents, adding he’s proud of the progress being made.
“This success is the result of strong partnerships between the municipality, health-care organizations, the Physician Recruitment Task Force and the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team,” the mayor said in the media statement. “Welcoming five new family physicians to our community is a major accomplishment and an important step forward connecting more residents with the care they need.”
The municipality continues to support physician recruitment efforts, including incentive programs designed to attract new doctors.
In addition to strengthening recruitment and retention efforts, Chatham-Kent has worked alongside health-care partners to support expansion opportunities for clinical space.
Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team physician recruitment coordinator Rebecca Smyth said efforts are yielding results.
“We are seeing the benefits of communities, health-care providers and municipal leadership working together toward a common goal,” Smyth said. “We are excited to welcome these physicians and support them as they establish long-term practices in Chatham-Kent.”
Local residents without a doctor are encouraged to register online through Healthcare Connect or by calling 1-800-445-1822.
