Recruitment success brings new doctors to Quesnel

BY SAMANTHA MTATIRO

Healthcare Recruitment Coordinator for the City of Quesnel

Like many Northern communities, Quesnel has experienced challenges recruiting and retaining physicians in recent years. Residents have felt the impact through temporary emergency department service interruptions and growing waitlists for access to family physicians. While these challenges have been significant, they have also highlighted the importance of community collaboration, innovative recruitment efforts, and a shared commitment to strengthening local health care services.

Today, there is much to celebrate.

Through the dedication of health care leaders, physicians, volunteers, community partners, and recruitment teams, Quesnel is attracting new physicians and health care professionals to the community.

Nearly 12 years ago, the City of Quesnel took a proactive approach to support health care recruitment by establishing a dedicated Healthcare Recruitment Coordinator position, funded through the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District. This role, currently held by Samantha Mtatiro, provides personalized recruitment support and integration services designed to help physicians and their families feel welcome and connected as they transition into the community.

Working closely with Samantha is Wendy Fox, Medical Staff Physician Recruiter with Northern Health, whose dedication and passion for physician recruitment has helped build strong relationships with prospective candidates while showcasing the many advantages of practicing medicine in Quesnel and Northern BC.

In recent months, several American-trained physicians have chosen to relocate to Quesnel, which is a positive sign that the community’s welcoming approach, supportive health care environment, and strong recruitment partnerships are gaining recognition beyond Canada.

One of the key highlights of the past year has been the success of Quesnel’s “Red Carpet Visits”. These are personalized community visits designed to introduce prospective physicians and their families to everything Quesnel has to offer. They are made possible through the collaboration of Physician and Healthcare Leaders, local physicians, local government representatives, NIRD representatives, community organizations, volunteers, and residents who generously share their time, experiences, and hospitality.

The results have been remarkable. Over the past year, Quesnel hosted four Red Carpet Visits, all of which resulted in accepted physician offers.

To date, Quesnel has already welcomed two American-trained physicians to the community: a family physician and an emergency medicine specialist. The community is also preparing to welcome two more physicians from the United States this summer.

Additionally, over the past year, Quesnel has welcomed three internationally trained physicians and their families through BC’s Practice Ready Assessment Program. This important program supports internationally trained family physicians as they work toward full licensure in the province and helps address community-specific health care needs. Three more candidates are expected in the coming months with several more currently moving through the recruitment process.

Two part-time physicians have also been added to support local care teams.

A vital part of Quesnel’s recruitment success continues to be the strong support and involvement of local physicians and their families. Whether hosting dinners, participating in clinic meet-and-greets, opening their homes, introducing prospective families to community activities, or simply sharing their experiences, physicians play an important role in helping prospective recruits envision a future in Quesnel. Their ongoing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, often while managing increasing demands and health care challenges, is deeply appreciated.

While there is still work to do, the momentum is encouraging.

Northern Health, the City of Quesnel, and community stakeholders and partners, remain committed to building on this success through continued collaboration, innovative recruitment strategies, and strong community partnerships.

The success seen so far is more than a recruitment story, it reflects what can be achieved when an entire community comes together with a shared vision. Quesnel’s health care recruitment efforts demonstrate the power of collaboration, community spirit, and a collective commitment to supporting health care providers and ensuring a strong future for health care in the region.