The new year brings news that two new family physicians will be hanging out their shingle in the community by the summer.
Pat Thor the Project Coordinator for the Orillia and area Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee says Doctors Ben and Elizabeth McNaull will open their practice, possible by August.
Thor says the two doctors first visited Orillia in October, and have now decided this is an area they want to move to.
She says while its great to have two new family doctors moving to town, there still is a critical shortage of MD in the community.
Thor dispite the success of attracting new doctors, the community is still short by 18 family physicians and 15 specialists.
She says the fact that Soldiers Memorial hospital is a teaching facility helps in their recruitment efforts.
Thor says Many medical students want to come back to this area after they complete their internship and the committee works hard to make their stay during their residency as pleasent as possible.
The Physicial Recruitment and retention committee is composed of members from not just Orillia, but Oro Medonte, Severn, Ramera townships and the Chippewas of Rama.
Thor says all members are committed to doing everything they can to attract new doctors to this region.
