Published May 09, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
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Five new family doctors are practicing in Chatham-Kent and most are accepting new patients. File photo jpg, KC, apsmcArticle content<\/p>\n
Five new family physicians are practicing in Chatham-Kent and most of them are accepting new patients.<\/p>\n
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The new physicians include:<\/p>\n
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Dr. Kaelan Harwood \u2013 Chatham-Kent Family Health Team in BlenheimDr. Adebisi Ogundipe \u2013 Chatham-Kent Family Health Team in WallaceburgDr. Paige Parent \u2013 Thamesview Family Health Team in WheatleyDr. Syed Shah \u2013 Chatham-Kent Family Health Team in ChathamDr. Adib Shamsuddin \u2013 Thamesview Family Health Team in Chatham<\/p>\n
They have been announced by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, working in partnership with the Chatham-Kent Family Physician Recruitment & Retention Task Force, the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team, local Family Health Teams, and healthcare partners across the community.<\/p>\n
The new doctors represent continued progress in improving access to primary care for residents across Chatham-Kent and reflect the strong collaboration taking place across the local healthcare sector, stated a Chatham-Kent media release.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccess to family healthcare is one of the most important issues facing communities across Ontario, and we are proud to see real progress being made here in Chatham-Kent,\u201d said Mayor Darrin Canniff.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis success is the result of strong partnerships between the municipality, healthcare organizations, the Physician Recruitment Task Force, and the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team,\u201d he added. \u00a0\u201cWelcoming five new family physicians to our community is a major accomplishment and an important step toward connecting more residents with the care they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
The municipality has continued to support physician recruitment through funding, incentives, and community partnership initiatives approved by council, municipal officials said. In 2025, the municipality provided funding to support physician recruitment efforts across Chatham-Kent, including incentive programs designed to help attract new family physicians to local communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recruitment of new family physicians takes a coordinated effort across many organizations and individuals,\u201d said Rebecca Smyth, physician recruitment C-coordinator with the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe are seeing the benefits of communities, healthcare providers, and municipal leadership working together toward a common goal,\u201d she added. \u201cWe are excited to welcome these physicians and support them as they establish long-term practices in Chatham-Kent.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to physician recruitment incentives, the municipality has worked alongside healthcare partners to support expansion opportunities for clinical space and strengthen recruitment and retention efforts throughout Chatham-Kent, municipal officials said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncil recognized that improving access to primary care required a collaborative and proactive approach,\u201d said Audrey Ansell, director of Community Culture & Connections for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe partnerships that have been built between the municipality, the Ontario Health Team, Family Health Teams, and healthcare organizations have created a strong foundation for success,\u201d she added. \u201cWe are encouraged by the momentum we are seeing and remain committed to supporting healthcare recruitment efforts across Chatham-Kent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Residents who are currently without a family physician are encouraged to\u00a0register through Healthcare Connect<\/a>,\u00a0 a provincial program that helps Ontarians find a family healthcare provider.<\/p>\n Residents can also register by phone at\u00a01-800-445-1822.<\/p>\n