We interviewed Usman Chaudry, Healthcare Talent Acquisition Strategist to find out more about what’s happening with Physician Recruitment in our community.
What is your role at GBGH?
As the Healthcare Talent Acquisition Strategist at GBGH, my role is to attract and retain exceptional physicians who will serve our hospital and the surrounding communities, and other specialized health care professionals to provide care in the hospital (such as Nurse Practitioners or Speech Language Pathologists).
Where are your recruitment efforts focused?
My priority is recruiting both Family Physicians and specialists to meet the growing healthcare needs of our region. Ensuring we have a strong, sustainable medical workforce is key to delivering high-quality care close to home.
What challenges is our community facing with recruiting physicians?
Recruiting physicians to a rural community like ours comes with unique challenges. Many new graduates and experienced physicians gravitate toward urban centers like the GTA, leaving smaller communities with gaps in care. This is mainly because of access to amenities such as shopping, events, restaurants and public transportation. Some physicians may want access to more experiences from their own culture for themselves and their families—which tends to be more available in urban centres.
Over the past year, we’ve also seen several physicians retire, leaving many patients without a family doctor. This makes our recruitment efforts even more critical.
What opportunities do you see for GBGH to increase our recruitment and retention of family and hospital physicians?
We have so much to offer! The recent opening of our state-of-the-art MRI demonstrates GBGH’s commitment to cutting-edge care. Our location is another major advantage—physicians can enjoy a better work-life balance with easy access to the GTA while living in a community that offers outdoor activities year-round. Many physicians are seeking alternatives to big-city challenges, and we’re uniquely positioned to provide that ideal balance.
How can donors or community members get involved to help?
Community support plays a huge role in recruitment. We often host tours for physicians considering relocation, and we’d love help in showcasing what makes our area special. Whether it’s providing temporary housing, assisting with tours, highlighting outdoor activities (hiking, biking, boating, etc.), or sharing local history, every effort helps make a strong impression. If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to the GBGHF and they can help facilitate a chat.
For more information about physician recruitment, please visit https://georgianbayphysicianrecruitment.com/
