A doctor who has worked in the emergency department at Bluewater Health's Sarnia site, intermittently for the past 16 years, is opening a family practice locally.
Sarnia-Lambton Physician Recruitment Taskforce, Recruitment Coordinator Carly Cox said Dr. Nic van As has spent the past decade traveling back and forth from South Africa where he was born and his family resides.
"He has now decided that it's time to settle in and decided he would like to start a family practice," said Cox. "So, he is our newest community family physician, but he will also continue to do shifts within the emergency department at Bluewater Health."
Cox said van As is the 35th family physician to be recruited by the taskforce.
"His temporary office is at 348 Lyndoch St. in Corunna, but he will be changing offices. We can expect probably six months at this Corunna location."
Dr. van As and his wife have two boys, aged six and nine.
He worked in the UK after graduating from medical school and spent some time with his wife in Newfoundland before coming to Sarnia.
"His wife did actually relocate here many years ago and then they ended up going back to South Africa to have their children, but with their children getting older, they decided it was time to settle in Sarnia."
Dr. van As holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Nature Conservation and a second degree in Medicine from the University of Stellenbosch.
New patients are invited to download an application form at www.drvanas.com.
It can be returned by fax, (855) 941-464,1 or registered mail, 348 Lyndoch St. Corunna, ON N0N 1G0.
Anyone needing assistance can contact his office at (519) 862-1461.
