18 new physicians join PEI health system this year
A total of 18 new physicians, 12 specialists and six family medicine physicians, have signed on to practice in Prince Edward Island in 2020.
To-date, 13 of these 18 physicians have started caring for Island patients. The remaining five specialists will begin work later this year and another will begin in 2021. The specialties of the physicians include: hospitalist, radiology, pediatrics, rheumatology, general surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, hematology, neurology, neonatal pediatrics, and OBGYN.
“Throughout this especially challenging year, the recruitment and retention team, in collaboration with Health PEI, continued working diligently behind the scenes to fill high demand health positions for Prince Edward Island. I am extremely pleased that through this work we are welcoming many highly skilled physicians to care for Islanders in a variety of areas across our health system this year.” - Hon. James Aylward, Minister of Health and Wellness
In addition to these new physicians, two family medicine sponsored residents will be placed with Health PEI in the coming months.
So far this year, 76 graduate registered nurses, four graduate Nurse Practitioners, three experienced RNs and two experienced NPs have been hired as part of the newly enhanced Nursing Recruitment Incentive Program.
This spring and summer, 78 nursing students were hired through the Nursing Student Employment program to start work in Health PEI and private long-term care facilities, more than double the usual number.
Through the Health Care Futures Program, 26 university students were hired to work in health care settings across the province this summer.
“By engaging more and more new graduates and students, we are able to showcase not only our Island health system, but PEI as a destination to live, work and enjoy,” said Minister Aylward. “When choosing a career path following graduation, it is important that health professionals know PEI is an excellent option.”
Media contact:
Samantha Hughes
Health and Wellness
902-368-5610
shughes@gov.pe.ca