Adam Bramburger
Beaver Staff
An incentive program supported by Hastings County and Greater Napanee has delivered in bringing three new primary care doctors to the area and to Lennox and Addington County General Hospital (LACGH).
This morning, Greater Napanee Mayor Gord Schermehorn announced via a press release that Dr. Nathaniel Hart, Dr. Heather Khey Beldman, and Dr. Andrei Garcia Popov signed on to practice family medicine under the Hastings County – Town of Greater Napanee Family Physician Recruitment Program.
The program provides a $20,000 incentive per year for five years to cover costs of medical students’ studies, provided they agree to practice in Napanee and serve residents of both municipalities for a minimum of five years.
Announced two years ago, the partnership involves Hastings County paying 70 per cent of the incentive rate for a successful candidate, who would be expected to have 70 per cent of their patient roster from Hastings and 30 per cent from Greater Napanee. When the strategy was initially announced it was noted the doctors could take on 500 patients in their first year of practice and increase to 900 by the end of their second year.
Schermerhorn indicated all three physicians will set up a primary care practice in town and serve various roles at LACGH. He said the signing is proof the partnership is working as intended.
“Both of our municipalities are benefitting under this agreement and our residents will be better served as a result,” Schermerhorn noted, while also acknowledging the efforts of LACGH chief of staff Dr. Kim Morrison in the ongoing recruitment efforts.
“Dr. Morrison was instrumental in bringing these highly recommended physicians to the attention of our communities,” he said.
Earlier this month, Morrison told the Beaver she was working on a recruitment effort that would specifically address the under-serviced communities of Deseronto and Tyendinaga Township, but was hesitant to announce a deal until it was finalized.
Hastings County warden Rodney Cooney indicated in a press release that he believes the physicians will serve the area well and fill as specific need in southeast Hastings County.
“We are excited that these three physicians already know each other and have experience with the doctors at the Napanee clinic. We are hopeful this translates into many years of practice in our municipalities,” he said. “The signing of the three physicians under this joint agreement shows how municipalities can work together for the common good of our residents.”
Khey Beldman said the three doctors are familiar with one another through their residency program through Queen’s University and are “excited to be working together in this great area.”
In the release, Hart cited previous experience in the local health system as a contributing factor.
“Having done rotations in Napanee, I am really looking forward to practicing with the team and serving the residents of both municipalities.”
Garcia Popov is planning to do an additional year of residency in emergency training and plans to work in the LACGH emergency department.
Please follow www.napaneebeaver.ca and read next week’s print edition of The Napanee Beaver for more on this development.