HSFSS Executive Director Arlene Stephens and Engagement Manager Alison Clements at the Rural & Remote Physician Conference in Ottawa. Photo: NSHA/Facebook
Residents of the South Shore will be hopeful the representatives from the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore (HSFSS) have a successful weekend in Ottawa at the Rural & Remote Physician Conference.
A key component of the event is doctor recruitment with rural communities from around the country attending and showing off why they are the ideal place to practice medicine.
Executive Director Arlene Stevens and Manager of Strategic Engagement Alison Clements are attending the event on behalf of HSFSS.
Stevens says distinguishing the South Shore amongst the many other communities attending the conference is hard but not impossible, “We live in such a beautiful place all while being close to a city with lots of amenities,” Stevens said. “We’ve also brought along two physicians who practice locally so that they can explain to other doctors firsthand why practicing on the South Shore is so great.”.
The HSFSS chose to attend this event in particular because all doctors in attendance have indicated a desire to work in rural or remote areas.
In previous years the recruitment of doctors on the South Shore has primarily been handled by public health but Stevens says in recent years the HSFSS has become more involved.
During their first day at the conference, Stevens says they had the chance to speak with lots of health professionals and she feels those conversations went well.
Some concerns she noted hearing on a few occasions were about accommodations and finding work for doctors with partners. “Hearing those concerns didn’t come as a surprise but we’ve made major strides forward in those areas in recent years and we offer more support now than ever before,” Stevens said.
In addition to the conference serving as a recruitment event, there are also lots of panels and presentations taking place for both practicing medical professionals and those in other sectors of public health.
