Residents of Port McNeill will gain more access to a family doctor as positions are filled.
Island Health says two family doctors have been recruited and are coming to the North Island town to begin their practice this week.
Dr. Evan Rogers and Dr. Noah O’Connell will practice at the Port McNeill Primary Care Clinic. Island Health says the two physicians are friends, and just finished residency in the Comox Valley.
They will be committing to a two-year stay in Port McNeill through the return of service program in exchange for their two years of postgraduate medical education.
North Island MLA Michelle Babchuk says the news is welcomed in the community.
“Adding two new physicians will make a tremendous difference in the level of health care that people in the North Island region receive and allow more people to have access to a family physician,” said Babchuk.
The two doctors say coming to the North Island was an easy decision as they can work together and explore a new area.
“We purposely chose to move to Port McNeill with our families to start practicing as new physicians,” said O’Connell. “We know we work well together and we’ll be able to support each other as we get comfortable working in a new community.”
Rogers adds the area has opportunities that are very important for him and his wife.
“We had seven communities to choose from throughout British Columbia,” said Rogers. “I grew up in Parksville and Victoria and really enjoy outdoor recreation, so working in a rural, remote community with access to great hiking trails, the ocean, and the beautiful outdoors was important to my wife April and me.”
The clinic’s coordinator, Jodi Wright, says she is excited to see an opportunity for more care in the area.
“It has been difficult to watch our community struggle with the challenges of a constantly changing health care environment,” said Wright. “Having Dr. O’Connell and Dr. Rogers join Dr. Toweir at our primary care clinic will allow our patients to access regular, timely, high-quality care, leading to better health outcomes for our community.”
Island Health says all three physicians are accepting patients and appointments are currently available for the new physicians.
Residents looking for a family doctor can call the clinic at 250-956-6830 to make an appointment.
