NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO COLLEGE OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS
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Family doctors in the Niagara Region are being recognized by patients and the Ontario College of Family Physicians for the outstanding care they provide and their dedication to the community.
Dr. Mark Prodger, of the Thorold Family Health Centre is among those being recognized. One of his patients, Carol-Ann Skulj, credits him with tirelessly collaborating with her daughter’s specialists and creating a comforting environment to receive care. Ms. Skulj says:
“Our family is very thankful for our family doctor. My daughter has a genetic condition caused by a missing piece of DNA on chromosome 22, which requires her to have a team of specialists at Toronto General Hospital. Dr. Prodger does an amazing job of sharing the responsibilities for her care. Being a mother of three and of one who has required the care of a team of specialists since birth, I have never encountered a doctor that is as professional as Dr. Prodger. There is a feeling of care and a connection that he has with each member of my family. He remembers personal things like my daughter competing at the Special Olympic Provincial Games and he even asked how she did during her next visit. He is a wonderful person and an amazing doctor. We are very lucky to have him as our family physician. If every Ontarian had a thorough and caring doctor like Dr. Prodger, the province would be a healthier place for all.”
Ms. Skulj nominated Dr. Prodger to be recognized as part of a campaign to highlight the essential role of family physicians. The Ontario College of Family Physicians asked Ontarians a simple question: ‘Tell us how your family doctor has gone above and beyond for you.’ The response was overwhelming and heartfelt, resulting in more than 750 family physicians, including 41 in the Niagara Region, being honoured.
“What we heard from patients in all corners of the province, including in Niagara, is that family physicians are there for patients, providing care when they need it most,” said Dr. Jobin Varughese, President, Ontario College of Family Physicians. “We are thankful for the dedication and care that family physicians show to patients.”
Patients in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines share how their family doctors support them when they need it most:
- Sarah James is recognizing her family doctor, Dr. Alison MacTavish, of the Portage Medical Family Health Team, in Niagara Falls. She says: “Dr. MacTavish has provided exemplary care for my whole family for over 30 years. My sister had a rare form of lupus which she fought for 20 years before her death. Dr. MacTavish is responsible for the precious additional years our family had with my sister. Because of Dr. MacTavish’s tenacity my sister was able to see multiple specialists which extended her life. In addition, Dr. MacTavish would book my mother’s appointments for major depression as the last appointment of the day so she could spend as long as needed caring for her. Through Dr. MacTavish’s dedication, my mother, father and I were able to see specialists for our respective medical conditions, even when the first and second answers were “no” -she did not give up. Dr. MacTavish goes above and beyond to care for her patients. There is no one in the health care system I trust more than Dr. MacTavish and, in my opinion, no one deserves recognition more than her. I owe my life and the lives of those I love to her. It is a debt I will never be able to repay.”
- Halle Blanchard is recognizing her family doctor, Dr. Jessica Graham, of the Niagara North Family Health Team, in St. Catherines. She says: “Dr. Graham is the most sincere and attentive physician I have ever interacted with. She has always answered all my questions with patience and diligence. She is the doctor that calls to check on you if she hears you had an unpredicted trip to the emergency room. She has supported me and my anxiety since I was a teenager. Dr. Graham is the reason I have made it through my master's degree and found myself living a better quality of life. She sets the standard for what health care should be in Ontario.”
The Ontario College of Family Physicians also heard from Ontarians who do not have a family doctor – and want one. There are 2.5 million Ontarians without access to a family doctor.
“Family physicians are the foundation of our health care system, and every Ontarian should have access to one,” said Deepy Sur, CEO, Ontario College of Family Physicians. “We can get there by ensuring family physicians have the right supports in the right place to allow them to continue to provide patient care.”
The Ontario College of Family Physicians is calling for every Ontarian to have access to a family doctor working with a team, enabled by the right technology. By ensuring family doctors have the right supports to stay focused on patients, Ontario can retain the family doctors we have now and recruit for the future. Visit LifeWithADoctor.ca to learn more.
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