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2-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, March 23, 2004 Graduating doctors to take tour of Milton Thurs., !our byjinai yearfarnliy medicine residents part of recruiting initiative by Milton committee By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion A group of graduatmng physicians will be shown Milton's best T'hursday night and, with any luck, will decide to make it their home. The Town of Milton Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee has arranged for eight final year family medicine res- idents from McMaster University ini Hamilton to be chauffeured "With Milton 1s growth, recruiting family physicians is a priori- ty," said Cindy McDonell, chief operating officer of Milton District Hospital. The evening will begin with a reception at the hospital and con- tinues with a tour, and conclude with dmnner at San Antonio Southemn Bistro in Campbellville. The event is being labeled an alumni dinner, as current Milton physicians who graduated from McMaster wilI host the event. "We're bringing them with a viewing of seeing which of themn are interested in coming and setting up practice," Ms McDonelI said, adding McMaster was chosen because many of Multon's new recruits are from there. 'he event is being sponsored hy the Halton Region Physician Recruitment Initiative and Matsamy Homes. To properly accommodate Multon's population, a total of 30 Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, whose guidelines state that for every 1,380 residents there should be one family physi- cian. Once Multon's population exceeds 40,000, the number of required family physicians will mncrease. Currently, there are 24 family physicians pracsicing in Milton, with five accepting new patients. "This is the first time in quite a while that we've had physicians accepting new patients," she said. Milton was recently re-designated as an under-serviced aiea by the Ontario health ministry, which provides a number of supports includmng a free tuition program. Lorraine Rohm, Halton Healthcare's manager of health promo- tion, said Milton was fortunate to be re-designated as under-serv- iced paiticularly because of the free tuition, which means physi- cians can receive up to $40,000 in exchange for four years of serv- ice. "Ifs a win-win situation," Ms Rohm said. Committee members committed Milton's reemuitment and retention committee is made up of devoted Milton residents in various fields, Ms McDonell said. The team includes members from the hospital, Town of Milton, Chamber of Commerce and local busmnesses. That's because the doctor shortage issue is one that affects everyone - especially if potential residents shy away ftom Milton because of the doctor shortage and choose to seule elsewhere. The committee's commitment to bringing in doctors has been unwavering, Ms MeDonelI said, and that has led to success. In the past three years, 16 new doctors have been added to Milton's mos- ter - nine family physicians and seven specialists. That's nothing to sneeze at, Ms McDonell said. "Not everyone has been as successful as oui physician recruit- ment committee," she said. "It's due to the fact that this is a coin- munity effort." Thursday's tour will give doctors considering practicing here a chance to see Miltonts homes, schools, recreation opportunities, transportation and more, Ms MeDonelI sald. Step/sanie Thieasen can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadi- anchampion.com. Se dealer for détails. 400 Steeles Avenue 905 875-1700 www.mlfton.toyota.ca