Two new physicians are beginning practice this week in Eastern Kings, and for the first time Eastern Kings residents have access to four physicians in their region.
Drs. Amira Gouda and Stephanie Philpott have joined Drs. Steve O'Brien and Ambrose Kennedy to comprise PEI's first regional physician team where all doctors will work with support staff as regional employees. Extended physician clinic hours are Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dr. Amira Gouda graduated from Alexandria University in 1985 with her MD. She has been living in Mississauga, Ontario for the past nine years while practising annually in Alexandria, Egypt.
Dr. Stephanie Philpott is originally from Gander, Newfoundland and has been practising in Shelby, Ohio for the past four years. She received her MD from Memorial University in Newfoundland in 1993.
Both Dr. Gouda and Dr. Philpott are performing ten-week locums until mid-September at which time decisions will have been made on whether to make Eastern Kings a permanent home.
The public is invited to attend an open house July 11 to meet the new physician team and tour the clinic area. It will be held in the Souris Hospital classroom and cafeteria area Tuesday, July 11, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to ask questions regarding the new physician team model, hours of operation, and the process for bookings.
Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem advised that in the 1999 regional community needs survey, Eastern Kings residents and staff identified two priority needs - to secure a fourth physician and to secure a female physician. "We are now very pleased to advise that we can offer Eastern Kings Residents a wide choice of physician services and extended clinic hours, as well as needed assistance for Drs. O'Brien and Kennedy."
Eastern Kings Health Chief Executive Officer Mark MacPherson said that in addition to welcoming Drs. Gouda and Philpott, the open house is an opportunity to express appreciation to existing staff, Dr. Ambrose Kennedy, Dr. Steve O'Brien, Carol Carter, Colleen Outhouse and Reta O'Brien, who together with ten visiting physicians have done an exemplary job in maintaining medical services in Eastern Kings over the past year.
Drs. Gouda and Philpott will begin taking appointments July 11. Patients of Dr. O'Brien and Dr. Kennedy may continue to book appointments with them as usual. The new number to book all physician appointments is 687 7033.