Sept. 22, 2018, Mayor Christopher welcomes new doctors to Belleville through Doctor Recruitment program. (Photo: City of Belleville/submitted)
Following courtesy of the City of Belleville
BELLEVILLE – Mayor Taso Christopher and members of Belleville city council are pleased to announce that five new family physicians have signed onto the Physician Recruitment program for the city.
Belleville has a strong history of attracting more family physicians to the community than most similar sized communities in rural Ontario. This success can be attributed to the scholarship program, the city’s incredible quality of life, the affordability of the region, the modernized local hospital and the existing network of inclusive and supportive family doctors already practicing here.
The city is pleased to announce that the following physicians have been attracted to the community:
Dr. Samantha Graitson
Dr. Ryan Hartley
Dr. Jennifer Karmally
Dr. Justin Pang
Dr. Bethany Philpott
This group of family doctors are currently completing their residency and will be ready for independent practice in 2019/2020. There are now a total of 34 physicians who have signed on to the city’s recruitment program since its inception.
Mayor Taso Christopher stated, “This is great news for the City of Belleville and the entire region. Although health care is a provincial responsibility, we are proud that council could use the dividends received from our ownership in Veridian Connections to support and attract these new family physicians. I have met with all of these doctors and they are excited to build their careers in Belleville which promises to bring better health and prosperity to our community. We know our residents and businesses will work hard to make these young professionals feel welcome and included in our city.”
With the addition of these five new recruits, Belleville signed eight new doctors in 2018 – a record number of new doctors in a single year for Belleville. At a time when many long standing family doctors are looking to retire, these physicians will be needed to help fill the void as residents transition to new doctors. More family physicians are still needed in the community but these recruits are a welcome addition to the medical community.
Residents wishing to be connected with a family physician are required to register with Health Care Connect at 1-800-445-1822 or by visiting the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Website and searching “Health Care Connect”. Residents are reminded that health care is a provincial responsibility and all concerns related to local access to health care services should be directed to your local member of provincial parliament or the Ministry of Health.
For more information on the program, please contact the Economic and Strategic Initiative department at Belleville City Hall.
