A Prescription for Success: Scholarships Encourage Local Medical Students to Return Home The Elgin St. Thomas Health Recruitment Partnership recently celebrated the 2024 recipients of its annual scholarship program, which supports local medical students and encourages them to return to the area as family doctors. The program is just one of many initiatives spearheaded by the Partnership to address the growing need for family physicians in the St. Thomas and Elgin County communities. This year’s scholarships were awarded to Abigaile Beamish, Ashlyn Hersey, Brandon Brower, Cole Gordon, Kaitlyn Montieth, Patrick Acres, and Patrick Sharmon. “The committee was established to recruit and retain family doctors for the St. Thomas and Elgin community,” says Lori Baldwin-Sands, City of St. Thomas Councillor and Chair of the Health Recruitment Partnership. The group includes elected representatives from the City of St. Thomas and the County of Elgin, representatives from the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital and the Home Builders Association, two physicians-at-large, and administrative staff. Together, they help guide, direct, and support the Partnership’s efforts to bring new doctors to the area. Lori emphasizes that the scholarship program is just one of the tools the Partnership uses to connect with medical students. “By filling out the scholarship application, students begin a relationship with our Health Recruiter, who supports them throughout medical school,” Lori explains. “This connection allows us to understand their needs, keep communication open, and encourage them to return to the community after graduation.”
L-R, Grant recipients Brandon Brower, Abigaile Beamish, Patrick Acres, Ashlyn Hersey, Patrick Sharmon, Lori Baldwin-Sands, City of St. Thomas Councillor and Chair of the Health Recruitment Partnership, Grant Jones, Mayor of Southwold and Elgin County Warden, Recipient Cole Gordon, Mayor of Aylmer Jack Couckuyt, Uzo Ajogwu, Health Recruiter. Not pictured is recipient Kaitlyn Montieth who was unable to attend. Over the years, the Partnership has provided more than $1.2 million in incentive grants and has successfully recruited 36 doctors to the area. Despite these accomplishments, Lori noted that challenges remain. “Our population is growing, and many doctors are nearing retirement. The need is great,” she says. To address these challenges, the committee is organizing a Health Recruitment Symposium in January to bring together stakeholders and strategize new pathways for success. The granting luncheon has evolved into a special occasion that includes not just students but also their families. Lori
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Page 20 Hometown St. Thomas • Jan-Feb 2025
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