New Summerside Pilot Project
Pilot Project Looks to Retain International Physicians
Posted: Tuesday 31st August 2010 13:46
by Amber Nicholson
The Journal Pioneer, August 25th 2010
SUMMERSIDE -- A pilot project to help integrate and retain international physicians who come to live and work in Summerside was launched Tuesday at the Lefurgey Centre.
Summerside was selected as one of three Atlantic cities to host the new project. Truro and Halifax were the other two cities.
Health and Wellness Minister Carolyn Bertram attended the launch to celebrate the new initiative.
"For our international professionals, moving to Prince Edward Island and joining our Health System is more than just starting a new job, it's bringing your family to a new country, a new culture, environment and education system. Through this program, we hope to make this transition as easy as possible," said Bertram.
Summerside project coordinator Melanie Bailey outlined the project at Tuesday's launch. She announced three of the steps that have already been taken to help make international physicians feel welcome in Summerside.
A newcomer's corner was established as a resource centre at the Summerside library, a retention and integration committee has been formed and a navigator has been hired.
Tomoko Craig has been hired to fill the position of the navigator. She will be meeting with newcomers face-to-face upon their arrival to Summerside and she will work with them to make their transition to Island life as smooth as possible.
"Understanding why internationally educated health professionals come and why they stay in our province will help in program and policy development and help to reduce barriers to [their] integration and long-term retention," said Bertram.
The project was originally launched in March. Since then, the Atlantic Connection of the Internationally Educated Health Professionals has led the way. On Tuesday, it was officially handed over to Bailey who will run the project in the Summerside area until March 2011.
Summerside has more than 20 international physicians, accounting for more than 25 per cent of all Island physicians.
