2 minute read
Perspective on Health Care
This past November, local family physicians, emergency physicians, business and community leaders joined volunteers of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce in hosting 31 family medicine residents virtually for our 22nd Annual Family Medicine Resident Event on November 7th.
As a result of the global pandemic, we moved forward with our annual event but shifted to an online format through an interactive and engaging online platform called Hopin. This weekend is our largest recruitment initiative to promote Kitchener-Waterloo as a great place to live and work and we were able to capture that virtually. As a result of moving virtual, we were able to reach more residents, having physicians tune in from across Canada, the United States and the UK. This weekend is thoughtfully planned and organized by our amazing volunteers of the Chamber’s Family Physician Recruitment committee, Chaired by Mark Christensen of WalterFedy. During their virtual visit, family medicine residents and their partners were given a look at what life in Kitchener-Waterloo would be like. Our guests were given the opportunity to hear from community leaders, meet with local physicians, learn about the practice opportunities available to them, toured Kitchener Waterloo (virtually) and networked with our incredible sponsors. Many of the residents expressed interest in Kitchener Waterloo and plan to visit in the future when it is safe to do so. According to Chamber President & CEO, Ian McLean, this weekend has been crucial in residents’ decisions to establish their practices in the area. “New family doctors are sought after by communities across Ontario, Canada and the U.S. This weekend is an opportunity to highlight all that Waterloo Region offers as a place for them to practice, their partners to build a career and for them to raise a family. We are very fortunate to have wonderful sponsors, partners, and volunteers that showcase our community.”
Working with community partners, the Chamber has helped to attract well over 250 family physicians since 1998 with the number of people without a family doctor being cut in half. Our work continues to eliminate the physician shortage. This pandemic has shown us all the importance of healthcare. We are hopeful that one day that all residents of KitchenerWaterloo that want a family physician, will have access to one.
The Chamber Physician Recruitment Program initiatives are only made possible by the generous support and investment of our sponsors which are recognized on page 9. Thank you
for your leadership and contribution to this critical program.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jenna Petker
Jenna is Physician Recruitment Lead for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.
