National Doctors' Day is Friday May 1

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — National Doctors’ Day is celebrated on May 1 each year in Canada. It celebrates physicians across Canada in memory of Dr. Emily Stowe, who was Canada’s first female physician.

This Friday, Doctors’ Day will be observed with a little more attention as the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Sun spoke to ErieShores HealthCare’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Ross Moncur about the observance of Doctors’ Day this week and whether it carries more meaning this year than in the past.

Dr. Ross Moncur

“The past two months have certainly brought different challenges to doctors throughout the world”, he said. “We have seen many physicians locally step up and go well above and beyond to put plans in place and care for patients in extraordinary ways.” Dr. Moncur added, “Doctor’s Day occurring simultaneously with these efforts provides a great opportunity to reflect on this.”

Dr. Moncur has been Chief of Staff at Erie Shores HealthCare for the past two-and-a-half years. There, he oversees a core team of about 40 physicians, with an overall total of about 150 physicians that include various specialists who visit the hospital on a rotating basis.

With regard to the hospital dealing with non- COVID emergencies and treatments, he stresses that there have been polices in place since March 8 to minimize non-urgent services, diagnostic procedures and surgeries.

“This has been very difficult for physicians, as we are accustomed to advocating for the most efficient and timely care for our patients, and we hate to see our patients face delays”, he said. “But the team has come together to implement decision-making criteria to do our best to ensure that there is no harm done from these delays.”

To put the public’s mind at ease, he was able to speak about the current crisis and how Erie Shores HealthCare has been able to respond.

“We have been very fortunate that our local hospitals have not been overburdened by COVID-19 so far”, he said. “This, of course, is largely because of the great adherence we have seen in our communities to the advice of Public Health.”

This means that Erie Shores HealthCare is able to maintain a very organized and clean environment and still have capacity to deal with the ‘usual’ emergencies.

A cross-section of doctors at Erie Shores HealthCare.

“At the end of the day, a pandemic does not eradicate other diseases, and we are still here to help people who need it”, he added.

Dr. Moncur and his staff are grateful for the support from this community.

“There is no doubt that the entire ESHC community is feeling very appreciated right now”, he said. “From donations to social media messages to sidewalk-chalk hearts outside the building, we have been warmly comforted by our community.”

During these times of uncertainty, this community support goes a long way to boosting the spirits of the entire staff at Erie Shores HealthCare.

Doctors’ Day on Friday, May 1, will indeed carry a little more weight for physicians all over Canada.