Two new physicians have been recruited to the Eastern Kings Health Region. Dr. Frederick van Rooyen and Dr. Johan Vlok will join the permanent staff of the Eastern Kings Health Centre beginning in December 2000 and January 2001, respectively.
Drs. van Rooyen and Vlok are from South Africa and have worked together there. Both physicians received their medical training at the University of Stellenbosch in Cape Town, South Africa. They each have fifteen years experience in comprehensive family practice, as well as training and experience in emergency medicine and trauma, minor surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, and several other areas.
Westie Rose, Eastern Kings Health Board Chair, advised that the new physicians will join Dr. Steve O'Brien and Dr. Ambrose Kennedy, bringing the permanent regional physician team up to full complement for the first time since a new position was added last year. "We are very pleased to welcome the new doctors to our region," he said. "By having four full-time physicians on staff we can better meet the needs of residents, and we can provide needed supports to the physicians such as reduced workloads and on-call requirements."
Dr. van Rooyen practised in South Africa from 1987 to May 2000, when he accepted a position as senior medical officer in Fogo Island, Newfoundland. In addition to his medical doctorate, Dr. van Rooyen has a PhD in agriculture. He has done extensive research in soil physics and authored several national and international publications in these areas. Dr. van Rooyen and his wife, Franci have two daughters, Caren, 23 and Francine, 17 who are pursuing careers at university.
Dr. Johan Vlok began practice in 1987 and has spent most of his working career in South Africa and New Zealand. He also did several locums in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland. Dr. Vlok is now practising in Darfield, New Zealand. He will be joined in Souris by his wife, Fiona, and their three children, Jennifer, 13, Stephen, 11 and Christopher , 8.
Both Dr. van Rooyen and Dr. Vlok are experienced pilots.
Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem acknowledged the success of the region in recruiting the physicians. "Eastern Kings is to be congratulated for creating a supportive working environment for their physician team. Their success is an excellent example of what can be achieved through cooperation and determination," said the minister. "Many people were involved in making this happen, including regional and department staff and other physicians. We acknowledge the excellent support of so many Island physicians who travelled to Souris to provide interim coverage until this permanent solution was found."
Until the new physicians arrive, coverage will be provided by two locum physicians, Dr. Randy Colwell and Dr. Ashok Manga, as well as several physicians from PEI and the Atlantic provinces.