New physicians begin practice in PEI this summer
Several new physicians are taking up practice in Prince Edward Island this summer.
“Continued access to family physicians and specialists is very important to Islanders and we are pleased to welcome five outstanding physicians who are beginning practice here this summer,” said Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson.
This week, Dr. Michele Barton is taking over the practice of Dr. Don Vickerson who is retiring from his family physician practice at the Summerside Medical Centre. Dr. Barton received her education and training from McMaster University and practiced in Ontario for several years.
Dr. Barton said when she first arrived in PEI in March 2008 there was over a foot of snow topped with ice and although the strait was frozen, the beauty and grandeur of the Island was obvious to her.
“Later that year when I returned with my grandmother she had a severe head injury and stayed at PCH. The warmth of the hospital staff, their professionalism and excellent care impressed me, as did the hospital itself, more than any other hospital I've been in,” she said.
“The generosity of spirit and kindness of the islanders is renowned. I am looking forward to providing the quality of care my grandmother received, and to working surrounded by a team of energized health professionals at Summerside Medical Centre and the Prince County Hospital.”
Dr. Barton has practiced at the Hamilton Community Health Center and worked for several years as an Occupational Health Physician and Consultant to Chedoke Hospital, McMaster University Medical Center, Henderson General Hospital, Hamilton General Hospital and the Juravinski Cancer Center.
Other physicians beginning practice this month are Dr. Laura Heron and Dr. Jaclyn O’Brien, both Islanders and graduates of the Dalhousie Family Medicine Residency Training Program at the PEI site. They will be taking on family practices in the Charlottetown area over the summer months. Dr. O’Brien completed her medical education at the University of Ottawa and Dr. Heron received her medical education at Saba University before returning to PEI for family medicine residency training.
Dr. Thomas Enright will be relocating to PEI this month from Peterborough, Ontario, to take on a full-time radiologist position at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at Queen’s University. Since completing his Radiology residency training in 2013, he has been practicing at the Peterborough Regional Health Center.
Obstetrician/gynecologist and Charlottetown native Dr. Katie Matheson will begin practice in Charlottetown after completing her medical education and residency training at Dalhousie University in June. The addition of Dr. Matheson will bring the obstetrics and gynecology group up to its full complement of six physicians in the Charlottetown area.
Media Contact:
Samantha Hughes
902 368 5512
shughes@gov.pe.ca (link sends e-mail)