Kingston welcomes eight new family physicians

As part of the City’s ongoing family physician recruitment program, eight new family physicians are being welcomed to the community. This continued momentum in the City’s recruitment efforts brings the number of physicians recruited this year to 12, and 33 in total since the launch of the physician recruitment program in fall of 2022.

"I’m incredibly proud to welcome these eight new physicians to our community,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “Their arrival represents a significant step forward in ensuring more residents have access to the care they need. This success is a testament to the strength of our recruitment partnerships and the growing appeal of our city as a place to live, work, and build a career in health care."

The incoming group of physicians includes:

• Four net-new physicians, expanding access to care for residents who do not have a family doctor;
• Four replacement physicians, ensuring continued care in the community for patients who are currently rostered with a family doctor.

Three of the physicians are international recruits and two are from outside of the province, reflecting Kingston’s growing reputation as a destination for medical professionals. Three physicians have committed to family practice since graduating from Queen’s University and completing a locum (short-term, temporary coverage of physician duties) in Kingston.

As the City continues to grow, the physician recruitment program plays a vital role in ensuring residents have timely access to quality care. The program focuses on attracting new talent and achieving long-term retention by helping partners and families integrate into the community through the Nurturing Employees and Supporting Transitions (NEST*) program.

Do you need a primary care provider? Register for Health Care Connect

Primary care remains a matter of provincial jurisdiction. Residents without a family doctor are encouraged to register with Health Care Connect. Health Care Connect is a

provincially administered program that helps track primary care provider capacity and connect people to one.

Residents without a family physician can learn more about the support available to help access care and services by visiting the Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Ontario Health Team website.

About Kingston’s Physician Recruitment program

Kingston City Council has invested over $3 million in the family physician recruitment program since 2022. This includes a $100,000 incentive to eligible family doctors as well as relocation and career support for incoming physicians and their families. Physicians qualify by either establishing a new practice within the City of Kingston or taking over an existing roster of patients from a departing or retiring physician. Learn more about the program on the City’s Family Physician Recruitment page.