Kingston welcomes ten new family physicians in 2026, bringing total to 43 since 2022

As part of the City of Kingston's Family Physician Recruitment Program, ten new doctors have been welcomed to the community this year, bringing the total to 43 physicians since the program's launch in 2022. These new family doctors have rostered unattached patients (i.e., those who did not have a family doctor) and replaced departing or retiring physicians to ensure continuity of care in the community.

Kingston officially launched its program four years ago to improve residents’ access to primary care. At the time, the community was facing a growing number of unattached patients, alongside a significant wave of anticipated physician retirements. Since then, the City has invested $4 million in physician recruitment efforts, including physician incentives as well as relocation and spousal career support.

Working in close partnership with local physicians, healthcare organizations, clinics and the regional Ontario Health Team, as well as the Eastern Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance, the City has implemented a coordinated approach to addressing physician shortages, supporting practice transitions, and promoting Kingston as an exceptional place to live and practice medicine.

Mayor Bryan Paterson commented, “Access to primary care is a priority for Kingston residents, and the 43 physicians welcomed since 2022 show what is possible when Council, local clinics, health organizations and the Ontario Health Team pull in the same direction. These ten new family doctors mean more residents have a physician and more continuity of care as others retire. The credit belongs to the physicians, clinics, community partners and City staff who built and delivered this program.”

Over the past four years, Kingston's physician recruitment efforts have included:

• Recruitment and retention support for family physicians and specialists.
• Community and practice site visits for candidates and their families.
• Spousal employment and community integration.
• Immigration and relocation support for internationally trained physicians.
• Resident physician engagement and recruitment events.
• Collaboration with healthcare organizations to support succession planning and practice transitions.
• Marketing Kingston and the region as a destination for healthcare careers and quality of life.

The program continues to recruit new family physicians, help retain existing practitioners and expand local clinic capacity, improving access to care for thousands of residents. As the City continues to grow, the physician recruitment program plays an important role in ensuring residents have timely access to quality care.

About Kingston’s Physician Recruitment program

Kingston City Council has invested $4 million in the family physician recruitment program since 2022 to recruit family doctors and provide 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 City’s Family Physician Recruitment program on our website.