Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative

07/21/2025

07/17/2025

Rural ERs Are Not “Glorified Walk-in Clinics”: SRPC Responds to Globe and Mail Column

On July 8, 2025, Globe and Mail health columnist André Picard published a piece titled “Should Every Small-Town Hospital Have its Own ER?”. While we generally respect Mr. Picard’s contributions to health journalism, this particular article struck a deeply concerning chord with many in the rural medical community.

In the column, Mr. Picard characterizes rural emergency rooms as “glorified walk-in clinics” and suggests they should be shuttered in favour of urgent care centres and more paramedics transporting patients to already overburdened tertiary care centres. This framing not only lacks supporting evidence, it also disregards the lived realities of rural patients and health care providers and raises significant equity concerns.

Members of the SRPC’s Health and Human Resources Committee submitted a response to the Globe and Mail, which unfortunately declined to publish it, although they accepted a much more brief letter to the editor today, July 15th.

We believe this conversation is too important to be silenced. You can read the full op-ed below, a reasoned, evidence-informed rebuttal that outlines why rural Canadians deserve timely, high-quality emergency care close to home.

Read full response: https://srpc.ca/rural-ers-are-not-glorified-walk-in-clinics-srpc-responds-to-globe-and-mail-column/

07/16/2025

✨ A Great Night in Downtown Lindsay! ✨
We had a lovely evening sharing dinner with Queen’s medical students Hertek and Frank, along with Dr. Bert Lauwers.

Hertek and Frank are halfway through their 14-week Generalist placement in Kawartha Lakes, focused on family medicine — and we’ve heard nothing but great things about their experiences so far!

A big thank you to Dr. Lauwers for leading the program, and to all the amazing local physicians and teams providing mentorship and training. Your support makes all the difference! 👏💙

07/16/2025

Positive news for primary care!

07/11/2025

Excited to be attending this event on behalf of the Eastern Ontario Physician Recruitment - EOPRA

07/09/2025

🌿 Now Recruiting Family Physicians! 🩺
Looking for a rewarding medical practice and an incredible lifestyle?
🏡 Live & Work in the City of Kawartha Lakes
Join a supportive, collegial medical community with opportunities in:
✅ Family Health Teams (Lindsay, Omemee, Fenelon Falls, Bobcaygeon, Coboconk)
✅ Kinmount & District Health Centre
✅ Ross Memorial Hospital (In-patient, palliative, surgical assist, hospitalist)
💰 Practice incentives available (with 4-year ROS)
🏞️ Affordable housing • Outdoor lifestyle • 90 min to Toronto
📍 Year-round recreation in one of Ontario’s most scenic regions!
🔗 Learn more: www.kawarthalakesdoctors.org

07/08/2025

We have plenty of parking.

07/07/2025

07/07/2025

Lace up your hikers — the trails are calling! 🥾

From scenic lookouts to shaded forest paths, Kawartha Lakes has the perfect hike for every pace. Don’t forget to bring water, bug spray, and your curiosity for what lies around the next bend.

📍 Check out the Victoria Rail Trail near Fenelon Falls or the trails at Ken Reid Conservation Area
🌼 Bonus: Many trails are wildflower-filled this time of year!

07/07/2025

Great guide from the Medical Council of Canada for IMG's.

07/07/2025

With Medical Council of Canada – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

03/05/2025

Ever wonder what a family doctor really does? This depicts what we see them doing (above the water) and everything else they are doing. KLHCI thanks our local family doctors for all that they do for their patients, the Ross Memorial Hospital and the CKL community. Thank you to Dr. Aaron Johnston, MD, CCFP-EM, FCFP, Associate Dean, Distributed Learning & Rural Initiatives, University of Calgary for creating this visual and allowing us to share.