Jamie Tripp introduced David Gravelle, a very busy man.  He worked in broadcast journalism in Kitchener, runs a local business called WOW, teaches curling in Canada and the US, is a past Councillor of Penetang and C of C President and is the area's part time Physicial Recruitment Officer.

David started off by reporting the success stories of 2007 - four physicians have moved to the area:  Dr. Louis Nel, a family physician and ER staffer; Dr. Osso Chabikuli, a family physician and ER staffer; Dr. Clara Chabikuli, a family physician and hospitalist; and Dr. Alan Hislop, a family physician.  Instrumental in the choice of each to move here was the lifestyle - boating, fishing, gardening and golfing.

 

 

David said that almost one third of our local doctors are approaching retirement and the population is growing - new projections put average growth in the North Simcoe area at about 30%.  This double whammy will leave many without a personal physician.

The recruitment program is supported across the community and attends recruitment events, does marketing and advertising in medical oriented publications, pursues retention activities and educational activities, carries out fundraising  and offers relocation incentives.

The Program costs $150,000 annually.  19% goes to administration and salary, 13% to advertising and marketing, 5.5% to events, 4 to community visits, 4.5 to fundraising and awareness, 2 to education and 52% to Incentives and Relocation costs.  Other jurisdictions are able to offer higher incentives.  Hastings County provides $150,000 scholarships and has recruited 8 new doctors.  Espanola offers $160,000 over 4 years and Northern Ontario communities can offer as much as $80,000 through Provincial money.  Competition is international - there's a town in Australia offering a $560,000 signing payment.

The Program provids a complimentary community visit, $20,000 for a two year contract, a welcome package, a spousal employment network and a buddy system.

However, over 100 other Ontario communities are underserviced and there's a small pool to recruit from.  We are not the only area that can sell 'lifestyle' either and all graduates train in large centres where many have put down roots and find moving unattractive.

Dave says he's talking right now, on a weekly basis, to 6 more physicians that are interested, which is good news and certainly is a return on the investment in the program.  A future aspect of the program will be a Huronia Physician Scholarship to be launched this year and which has been developed by Ralph and Kathy Befort and started off with a $40,000.00 gift from them.  Application will be through a local committee and students must contract to return to the community.  6 potential students are currently identifieds.

There's terrific support throughout the community, from the local municipalities which all contribute financing to the local businesses that support events and help to welcome potential recruits to the large number of volunteers who work with Dave on this project.