The Bruce Power/Saugeen Shores/Municipality of Kincardine joint doctor recruitment committee has struck an agreement to bring a new full-time Emergency Room doctor to Southampton starting next summer.

Dr. Steven MacKinnon, who will complete his medical residency program at the University of Toronto in June, after receiving his medical school training at the University of Ottawa, has agreed to relocate to the region and spend his first year of practice as a full-time ER physician in Southampton.

"Dr. MacKinnon spent this past fall in Kincardine completing an elective in rural family medicine and indicated he was interested in a possible relocation to the area in June," said James Scongack, Head of Corporate Affairs at Bruce Power, who also sits as chair of the joint doctor recruitment committee.  "We are very pleased to have Dr. MacKinnon providing such an integral service to Southampton’s Emergency Room. “It’s no secret how difficult it is to secure the services of doctors in rural Ontario, but we are confident Dr. MacKinnon will enjoy practicing in Bruce County as much as residents will appreciate his work in the ER.”

Mike Smith, the mayor of Saugeen Shores, said the joint doctor recruitment committee is a collaborative effort between the two municipalities and Bruce Power. By working together, the

committee has drawn numerous doctors to this under-served region.

“A lot of time and effort goes into selling not only the career benefits of rural medicine, but also highlighting the wonderful quality of life we have here in Bruce County,” the mayor said. “By working together with Peggy Zeppieri, our physician recruiter, the committee has done a great job of ensuring local families have access to doctors when needed.”