Docs Make Impression At Niagara Falls Conference, Thanks To The Business Community

Jeff Green | Apr 26, 2023

Deborah Krause, Executive Director of the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team, and Dr. Jeanette Dietrich, from the Sydenham Medical Centre and the Kingston Rural Family Health Organisation, made their second trip to the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada annual conference in Niagara Falls last weekend.

But unlike their first trip in 2022, this time they had something extra to offer, thanks to the local business community.

“After we made presentations to local councils and the county early this year, Richard Allen from the Economic Development Office put us in contact with some local businesses, who were more than willing to help us out,” said Deborah Krause this week, after returning from the conference.

At the end of the weekend, Krause and Dr. Dietrich came back with a list of 26 names of medical students, residents and doctors to follow up with. And a few of those people will be coming to Frontenac County this summer, if only to cash in on some of the goodies that were donated by local businesses.

In addition to products that they brought with them to the conference for prize draws, from businesses like Seed to Sausage, Fine Chocolate by Ludwig, Hartington Equipment, and hats and mugs from the county and townships, there were some items that could only be enjoyed by coming to the local communities.

“Richard Allen encouraged us to promote experiences as well as fixed goods, and put us in contact with the tourism group in Sharbot Lake. So, we were able to offer a stay at Rock Hill B&B, paddling from Frontenac Outfitters, and a stay in a Yurt at the Woodland Escape near Arden. So at least a couple of those 26 contacts will be coming this summer, thanks to these donations.”

She added that the fact that the businesses have been so supportive demonstrates to both her, and Dr. Dietrich, that the local communities understand how important medical services are to the growth of their own businesses and the region.

“We still have a long way to go,” she said, “as we have four positions to fill in Frontenac County, and just about all of the doctors wanted to know about financial incentives, which we can only offer for Sharbot Lake and Northbook at this point.

“But the experience this year was much more positive than last year, and with 26 names we have some follow up opportunities. We have our fingers crossed that we will get a good lead out of this.”

The proximity of the Sydenham and Newburgh Medical clinics to the Napanee and Kingston hospitals, and the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team to the Perth hospital, is also a positive, Krause said, because many of the doctors and students they talked to were interested in emergency medicine, as well as family medicine, and a combined practice is an option for rural clinics located relatively close to emergency departments in urban centres.T he proximity of the Sydenham and Newburgh Medical clinics to the Napanee and Kingston hospitals and the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team to the Perth hospital is also a positive, Krause said, because many of the doctors and students they talked to were interested in emergency medicine as well as family medicine and a combined practice is an option for rural clinics located relatively close to emergency departments in urban centres.