This is an opinion column written by Lynn Guerriero, President and CEO of Niagara Health and Dr. Kevin Chan, Chief of Staff and Executive Vice-President of Medical Affairs, published in the St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Falls Review and Welland Tribune.
Niagara Health has made real progress recruiting physicians in recent years. Twenty-eight new doctors and surgeons have joined our teams, including three new emergency physicians and new colleagues in anesthesiology and internal medicine. These hires strengthen care for our patients. But we still have more work to do.
Like every hospital in Ontario, we face physician shortages in several departments. We have gaps in general internal medicine, emergency medicine, cardiology and mental health and addictions. These shortages are not unique to Niagara. Hospitals across Canada are competing for a limited pool of physicians during a time when demand for hospital services is growing. The pressures are significant and ongoing.
To meet that challenge, Niagara Health is taking a more deliberate approach to physician recruitment. This includes a focused campaign targeting the United States, Quebec and other parts of Canada. Interest is strong. We recently interviewed 10 internal medicine candidates, and inquiries are already coming in from U.S.-trained physicians and from doctors in Quebec who are now considering opportunities in Ontario. We’re seeing early momentum from family physicians interested in hospitalist work, too.
Our new campaign is designed to meet physicians where they are. Many American physicians are re-evaluating their careers due to burnout and instability in parts of the U.S. healthcare system. Others are looking for a better quality of life or want to reduce the pressures of large urban hospitals. Niagara Health can offer something appealing: a hybrid model that blends community hospital practice with real opportunities for academic work, research, leadership and involvement in major projects like the new South Niagara Hospital.
Physicians exploring a move to Canada often face licensing and immigration hurdles. We do what we can to support them through work permit steps and exam preparation, but the process remains complex. Progress is being made, though more needs to be done to make credentialing smoother and faster. These are shared challenges across the province, and we continue to work with government and regulatory partners toward improvements.
One question we hear from prospective physicians is simple and understandable: What is it like to live in Niagara? We tell them the truth. Niagara is a remarkable place to build a life. Twelve diverse communities. Award-winning restaurants. Beaches, trails and green spaces. Festivals and theatres. Wineries and a food scene known far beyond our region. Good schools. Short commutes. Affordable homes compared to major urban centres. For many people choosing to relocate, these are the deciding factors.
But we also need to be honest about what we cannot fix alone. When a physician considers relocating, they’re not just choosing a job. Their spouse or partner is choosing one too. They need employment opportunities, affordable housing and good schools for their children. These issues are not hospital issues, and we rely on local partners to help Niagara stand out. Recruitment is not only about attracting physicians. It’s about attracting families. It takes a region to make that happen.
One of our priorities is creating an environment where physicians can do their best work. Our hospital information system, now in place for a year, gives teams better information at the point of care and reduces many of the workarounds that added pressure in busy settings. We’re also renewing key equipment, including a new fleet of CT scanners, and moving ahead with renovations in Welland and the new South Niagara Hospital for 2028. The Marotta Family Hospital, at just 12 years old, remains a strong part of our system. These updates support safe, efficient care and matter to physicians considering Niagara for their careers.
We want physicians to choose Niagara Health because it is a place where they can practice with purpose and live with balance. We have momentum, but we still have work ahead.
