Another new doctor joining St. Joseph Island clinic

NEWS RELEASE

MATTHEWS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

************************ Second permanent physician recruited to Island clinic

RICHARDS LANDING, ON (September 27, 2011) - The Matthews Memorial Hospital Association (MMHA) is very pleased to announce the successful recruitment of Dr. Ian MacKay to a permanent position at the St. Joseph Island Medical Clinic in Richards Landing.

Dr. MacKay recently responded to a posting by HealthForceOntario - the provincial recruiting agency - outlining the opportunity offered at the St. Joseph Island clinic.

Two weeks ago, Dr. MacKay, together with his spouse Heather Kent, visited the island on a Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care funded Community Assessment Visit.

After touring the island and surrounding area and meeting with local residents, clinic lead physician Dr. Karen Booth, area physicians and representatives from the MMHA, the two returned to their Nova Scotia home to ponder their future here and over the weekend, they informed the association and Dr. Booth of their decision to move to Ontario and join the local practice.

Dr. MacKay and Ms. Kent currently live and work in Dartmouth where he is a family physician specializing in geriatric care and she is a high school teacher.

“This is truly fabulous news”, said Connie Witty, chair of MMHA. “Dr. MacKay will be a tremendous addition to the clinic. We're looking forward to welcoming him and his wife and to working with him to develop a successfully, long-term medical practice here.”

Dr. MacKay is scheduled to move to Ontario in late January and join the clinic February 1.

In the interim, he is applying for an OHIP number and wrapping up his affairs in Nova Scotia.

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