Originally published on thechronicleherald.ca
As a recent medical school graduate of Memorial University, I returned home to Nova Scotia for Dalhousie University’s Family Medicine residency program and decided to stay and start my career here.
While many of my colleagues decided to say farewell to Nova Scotia to continue their medical careers elsewhere, I’ve chosen to stay and be part of the solution for health care in the province I call home.
Some people ask if I was tempted to explore other opportunities across the country that offered a better financial outlook, and while expected salary is an important consideration for new grads, my choice to stay here included other considerations, as well. I am proud to come to the table and play a role in improving Nova Scotia’s health-care system. I am just one person in a province that is in need of a lot of help, but I believe that if the community comes together, we can all contribute to a brighter future for Atlantic Canadians – a future with better access to care, world-leading technology and the greatest minds tackling the toughest problems that face the health of our population today.
My first step in deciding to start a career in Nova Scotia was finding an area in medicine I was interested in, and one that was needed here at home. During my residency at Dalhousie, my primary preceptor (the doctor who I worked most with in training), Dr. Amy Gillis, focused on addictions, mental health and family medicine. In working with her, my eyes were opened to some of the most rewarding experiences I witnessed during my training. Working with Dr. Gillis, I developed an awareness of how practising in this area of medicine allowed me to make a difference in peoples’ lives.
With this newfound interest, I started to think about how I could create a hybrid career for myself in addictions and family medicine. Due to our region’s need to attract physicians, the province often works directly with new graduates to think outside-the-box to shape their careers.
I was lucky that my vision was supported by Dr. Maria Alexiadis, department head of family practice, Nova Scotia Health Authority, central zone, Katie Meisner, a consultant in physician recruitment and Dr. Barry Clarke, medical director at Northwood, who all helped me shape a practice that is right for me.
Factors outside of medicine also enticed me to stay. I love Halifax and when I considered the incredible family and friends I have here, the vibrant social scene and reasonable cost of living, it became increasingly clear that Halifax really is a great place to put down roots.
After hitting the books for the past 10 years in post-secondary education, I have recently started my career at a clinic in the North End of Halifax and am hopeful that my work will make a difference in many peoples’ lives. My work now is primarily focused in my clinic – a community-based family practice – and about 20 per cent of my work is in addictions medicine. I am thankful for the people who worked with me throughout my residency and to those who opened my eyes to new opportunities.
Our province faces many challenges, access to primary care among them, but if individuals, health professionals and all levels of government can work together to effect the continued change our health-care system needs, I feel there is reason to be optimistic for the future of health care in Nova Scotia. I am also hopeful that others will see the promising future that is within reach for us and be inspired to take part in creating a solution in whichever way they can.