Back row: Dr. Dan Korpal, Emergency Medicine; Dr. Rohan Pandey, General Internal Medicine; Dr. Marks Arsiradam, Anesthesiology
Front row: Dr. Shangguo Tang, Laboratory Medicine (Pathology); Dr. Olawale Ajetunmobi, Anesthesiology; Dr. Rahil Patel, Mental Health and Addictions; Dr. Mahya Hashemi Kazar, Emergency Medicine
When Dr. Mahya Hashemi Kazar was looking for a place to continue her medical career in Canada, she had options.
After moving from Iran in 2021 and working in Saskatchewan as an emergency physician, hospitalist and family physician, she was searching for the right fit. What she found at Niagara Health convinced her to stay."Moving from one province to another and starting in a new setting can be stressful and challenging, but the team made it easy. Everyone was very supportive and friendly, that made the transition much smoother than I expected."
Since joining Niagara Health's Emergency Medicine team this year, Hashemi Kazar has found support both inside and outside the hospital.
"I've worked in different healthcare systems and different hospitals, and I also did locums before joining Niagara Health. What I found here was a very supportive and friendly environment, from the physicians to the nurses, and that made a real difference in deciding this was somewhere I could stay."
Outside of work, she has also found a community where she can put down roots.
"It's not just about work. The lifestyle here is exceptional."
Her experience reflects a broader trend at Niagara Health.
Since January, the organization has welcomed more than two dozen permanent physicians across specialties including emergency medicine, internal medicine, anesthesiology, critical care, diagnostic imaging, oncology and surgery. While their paths to Niagara vary, many describe similar reasons for making the move: supportive colleagues, opportunities to grow and a strong sense of community.
For Dr. Rohan Pandey, who joined the General Internal Medicine team after completing his residency in Buffalo, the culture stood out immediately.
"The biggest thing was the friendliness, how approachable everyone was and how collegial everyone was. Coming out of residency, there's always some hesitation about what independent practice is going to be like, but I found my colleagues very supportive. There was a lot of mentorship, which really helped me ease into things."
Pandey says Niagara Health gives physicians the flexibility to build careers around their interests.
"There are opportunities here in clinical care, education, research and leadership. You can really shape your career around what interests you, and there are people and resources available to help you grow in that direction."
For Dr. Rahil Patel, who works with Niagara Health’s Mental Health and Addictions team, the decision was a homecoming.
"I grew up in Niagara Falls and always knew I wanted to come back and stay in the community. I did a lot of my medical school and residency training at Niagara Health, so I already knew the environment and the people. Now, as an independent staff physician, it's been a dream to have such a supportive group around me."
Today, Patel combines clinical work with another passion.
"My real passion is education, continuing to connect with McMaster University, taking on medical students and residents and expanding training so we can help build the future of our department."
Experienced pathologist Dr. Shangguo Tang was drawn to Niagara Health for different reasons, but arrived at a similar conclusion.
"At this stage of my career, I wanted to spend more of my time contributing to patient care."
Having worked with the Laboratory Medicine team previously, he knew what he was signing up for.
"I knew the environment, I knew the people and I liked both."
As Niagara Health continues to attract physicians from across Ontario, Canada and around the world, those new recruits are helping strengthen care across the region. For many, the decision comes down to finding a place where they can build both a career and a life.
For Patel, that choice is straightforward.
"I don't see myself being anywhere else for the next 20 or even 40 years. I'm excited to keep building my career here while also helping train the next generation."
