SMITHS FALLS – Recruiting doctors is steady work but far from finished, physician recruiter Carlene MacDonald told council Sept. 15, as the Smiths Falls hospital balances wins in specialist hires with a stubborn shortage in family medicine.
Since 2014, the Perth and Smiths Falls hospital has signed on 18 family doctors. But with five retired and seven moved away, the net gain is only six, and none are taking new patients. MacDonald said she fields about eight inquiries a month, with seven site visits already this year.
Medical students and residents continue to rotate through the community, with six first-year students hosted this year through the Eastern Ontario Regional Medical Education Program. Recruitment trips are planned this fall in Montreal, Ottawa and Kingston.
The hospital has recruited 21 hospitalists since 2016, though most work part-time or casually. “We don’t pay as well as some other sites, but not having overnight call is attractive,” MacDonald noted. The hospital is seeking at least two more hospitalists.
Specialty updates at Smiths Falls hospital:
- General surgery: New surgeon Dr. Matthew Lund has joined the team. Veteran surgeon and Chief of Staff Dr. Thomas Morell has not indicated retirement plans.
- Obstetrics/gynecology: Only one OB-GYN remains, Dr. Cecilia Kerner, with recruitment ongoing. A midwife joined in September 2024.
- Internal medicine: Four internists have been recruited since 2014, including two this year: Dr. Mitchell Edwards and Dr. Navroop Sandhu.
- Radiology: A general radiologist is expected to arrive later this fall.
- Emergency medicine: Since 2014, 36 ER physicians have been recruited, most working part-time. Recruitment continues for two more.
Looking ahead to 2025–26, the Smiths Falls hospital’s targets include adding two or three family physicians, two emergency doctors and two hospitalists.
Mayor Shawn Pankow asked about efforts to attract Canadian physicians working in the U.S.
MacDonald confirmed two doctors are in contact; one relocating from Chicago and another interested in emergency work in Almonte. She said standard recruitment tools include the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario listings and the Canadian Association of Staff Physician Recruiters network.
MacDonald estimated about seven per cent of ER visits in Smiths Falls are made by patients without a family doctor, in response to Coun. Chris McGuire’s question on how many are without a doctor. The local family health clinic could accommodate up to 12 physicians if fully staffed, supporting the ongoing work of Smiths Falls hospital.
“Thank you so much. It’s always nice to see you again and hear an update,” Coun. Jennifer Miller said. She chaired the meeting and added that council remains ready to assist recruitment efforts.
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