New Northbrook doctor has local connection

Jeff Green | Jan 06, 2011

Photo: Anne Wilson (centre) flanked by North Frontenac Deputy Mayor Fred Perry (left) and Addington HighlandsReeve Henry Hogg (right) and staff from the family Health Team, family members and members of council.

Anne Wilson did not go in for rural family medicine in order to be in the limelight.

“I really don't like to have my picture taken,” said Wilson, who is currently a resident with the St. Michael's Family Health Team in Toronto, but was in Northbrook in December to sign a five-year contract with the Lakelands Family Health Team.

She was greeted by most of the members of North Frontenac and Addington Highlands Council, along with a number of newspaper reporters, who all witnessed as the townships each committed $15,000 per year for five years as an incentive for a new doctor to join the new Northbrook-based team. Wilson will begin practicing at the Lakelands Family Health Team on July 1, 2012, and is committed to remaining at least until July 1, 2017.

Wilson is no stranger to life in small town Ontario, and she has a local connection as well. She grew up in Havelock, and has relatives who have moved to the Cloyne area. She did a practicum at the Northbrook clinic last summer. “I really enjoyed my time here last summer, and family medicine in a rural practice is what I want to do. And I want to work in a group practice,” she said.

During her residency she has been involved in a large inner city group practice in Toronto, where she has been doing work in family medicine, as well as geriatrics, surgery and trauma.

“This is a great day for us,” said Doctor Tobia of the Lakelands Family Health Team, “it ensures medical services in our region for years to come.”

The announcement was the culmination of a process that began several years ago, when Doctor Tobia approached the neighbouring townships about setting up a doctor recruitment campaign. Eventually, a medical services committee was formed. The committee worked with Doctor Tobia in an application for a Family Health Team, which will bring funding for a basket of services in Northbrook. As part of that process, the Township of Addington Highlands purchased the Northbrook clinic from Doctor Tobia.

For Anne Wilson, the existence of the Health Team and the support it offers, seems to have been as important as the cash incentive. “The staff here were so helpful when I was here last summer. This will be a great place to work,” she said.

Anne Wilson will probably do another practicum in Northbrook this spring. She will start her practice when her residency in Toronto ends, in July of 2012.