Islanders have more access to physician services with the addition of ten new physicians who started practice in Prince Edward Island this summer, says Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“Good access to physicians is important to Islanders and our concerted efforts are paying off in this priority area,” said the minister. “We are pleased to welcome seven new specialists and three new family physicians to our health system.”
The new specialists are Dr. Andrew Boswall, ophthalmologist; Dr. Grant Schofield, medical oncologist; Dr. Daniel Costa, urologist; Dr. Fiona Turpie, anesthesiologist; Dr. Abayomi Onikoyi-Deckon, psychiatrist; Dr. Oladele Oladapo, psychiatrist; and Dr. Tunde Ogunremi, radiologist.
The new family physicians include Dr. Keith Baglole, Charlottetown; Dr. Megan Burns, Alberton; and Dr. Cian O’Morain, Rustico.
Physicians are in high demand and Prince Edward Island uses a variety of recruitment strategies to remain competitive. One of its most successful approaches is to reach out to physicians who are seeking the lifestyle benefits that Prince Edward Island offers.
Dr. Cian Ó Móráin, who recently moved from Ireland to practice in Rustico, said he was attracted by the warm welcoming nature of Islanders. “The traditional musical heritage and natural beauty of PEI attracted me to this part of Canada, and during my recent visit, I was greatly impressed with the level of resources and standard of health care in the area,” he said.
Minister Currie said the health system is finding ways to improve physician work-life balance, and recruitment staff are in continuous contact with medical students and residents, particularly those with Island connections.
“Having a Family Medicine Residency Program is paying off from a recruitment perspective,” he said. “Since 2011, 16 residents have chosen to stay in the province to practice, and as a result, we are better able to address priority areas such as rural family medicine practices and positions vacated by retiring physicians.”
There are 246 physicians practicing in the province, 50 more than nine years go.
Backgrounder
Dr. Andrew Boswall, ophthalmologist
Dr. Andrew Boswall, an Islander, joined the provincial ophthalmology team in July after recently completing his residency through Dalhousie University.
Dr. Grant Schofield, medical oncologist
Dr. Grant Schofield started practice in July at the PEI Cancer Treatment Center after recently completing a fellowship in medical oncology from the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Daniel Costa, urologist
Dr. Daniel Costa, a native Islander, completed his residency in urology at the University of Ottawa. He began practice in July in Charlottetown.
Dr. Fiona Turpie, anesthesiologist
Dr. Fiona Turpie is an experienced anesthesiologist who relocated from Halifax in July to join the anesthesiology team at the Prince County Hospital.
Dr. Aboyomi Onikoyi-Deckon, psychiatrist
Dr. Onikoyi-Deckon relocated from Ireland in June to join the team of psychiatrists in Charlottetown . He brings many years of experience to his new practice in Prince Edward Island.
Dr. Oladele Oladapo, psychiatrist
Dr. Oladapo joined the team of psychiatrists in Charlottetown in May. Dr. Oladapo is another very experienced physician who has relocated from England.
Dr. Tunde Ogenremi, radiologist
Dr. Ogenremi is joining the radiologist team at the QEH in early August. He is from England and has been practicing recently in Newfoundland.
Dr. Keith Baglole, Charlottetown
Dr. Keith Baglole is taking over the practice of Dr. Barbara Flanagan who is retiring after many years of committed practice in Charlottetown. Dr. Baglole is an Islander who recently completed the PEI Family Medicine Residency Program.
Dr. Megan Burns, Alberton
Dr. Megan Burns completed the PEI Family Medicine Residency Program and is also an Islander. She has relocated to the Alberton area and is taking patients from the patient registry in the West Prince Region.
Dr. Cian Ó Móráin, Rustico
Dr. Cian Ó Móráin relocated to PEI from Ireland to take over the practice of Dr. Ed Pineau who is retiring after many years of committed service to the people of Rustico and surrounding communities.