Physician retention and settlement work underway by the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore has received a boost in provincial funding.

The government’s new Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment Community Fund will give $75,200 to the charity’s initiatives, which focus on the retention, recruitment and promotion of the South Shore to physicians and health care professionals.

“This funding will allow us to put into place recruitment, settlement and retention strategies that will showcase the South Shore as a desirable place for physicians and their families to come, practice and build a life,” says Martha Marchand, the Foundation’s first Physician Settlement & Retention Coordinator. “We believe that retention happens when people feel connected to their community, supported, and valued for their contributions.  With this funding we aim to accomplish all three!”

Health Services Foundation’s Chairman Nick Saunders echoes those thoughts. “As a Foundation, we are passionate about elevating the health care experience for our communities. Having recently hired someone full-time to focus on physician recruitment and retention, this funding will enable us to action some of the great initiatives we have been planning. We don’t want to just bring health care professionals here; we want them to stay!”

Some of the upcoming initiatives include community welcome events for new physicians, attending physician recruitment conferences and job fairs and connecting with medical learners on the South Shore.