TIMMINS — The last piece of the funding to attract more doctors to Timmins has been secured.
Agnico Eagle is contributing $600,000 to the Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) physician recruitment committee to attract doctors. The City of Timmins and the hospital have already each committed the same amount over three years.
“It is of the utmost importance that when recruiting and retaining physicians that they feel welcomed into the community where they will live and work,” said TADH chief of staff Dr. Doug Arnold.
“This demonstrates to our existing physicians that everyone is working hard to improve their workload by recruiting more physicians to shoulder the burden of care.”
The $1.8 million is for startup grants for new doctors, who are eligible for $60,000 if they sign on for four years in Timmins.
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The physician recruitment committee also offers settlement services, moving expenses, and financing options with a $150,000 interest-free loan in partnership with the Venture Centre for housing as recruitment bonuses.
“There is help getting settled in a house and having a great partnership with the Venture Centre,” said TADH president and CEO Kate Fyfe. “Part of it is really ensuring that our physicians and connected into the community.”
The hospital also connects doctors and their families with activities and networking.
Agnico Eagle Ontario vice-president Andrew Leite hopes other companies in Timmins and the surrounding areas will follow their example.
“Our workforce uses Timmins as a hub, and I think the work that’s being done here by the hospital, the city, and by the doctors is incredible, but we know the challenges are big,” said Leite. “We need incentives, and in my opinion, the industries need to step up.”
Timmins currently needs approximately 45 physicians — 20 primary care physicians and 25 specialists.
The hospital has recruited 24 physicians since local health-care leaders went public with the crisis in 2022.
“We have a lot of competition across Ontario, let’s be clear,” said Arnold. “There isn’t a community in Ontario or across Canada that doesn’t need physicians, so this will assist us in those efforts to set us apart.”
Fyfe said she believes that doctors will fall in love with the region once they get here.
“The incentives help, but it’s really everything that the north and our community has to offer,” said Fyfe.
