Ten new specialists have joined the Bluewater Health team in Sarnia and Petrolia.
They include neurologist Dr. Elizabeth Lounsbury, who treats things like diseases of the brain along with spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles.
Dr. Lounsbury is the county's second neurologist, after there was a gap in service for a few years. It's hoped she will help whittle down the wait list, which is anywhere from nine to 12 months.
Chief of Staff Dr. Michael Haddad said the new hires have been key in filling the demand for surgeries.
"During the pandemic, there were many interruptions of surgical volumes," said Dr. Haddad. "Fortunately, at Bluewater Health, we've been able to catch up with our backlog. This has helped us, ensuring that we have enough anesthesia and nursing staff to help the surgeons keep up and catch up."
Bluewater Health has also added two anaesthetists, two general surgeons, an emergency physician, orthopaedic surgeon, hospitalist, plastic surgeon and general internist.
Dr. Haddad said they're still looking to address a local shortage of pediatricians, and psychiatrists but he notes there's a lot of hiring competition among Ontario hospitals.
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A full list of the new specialists can be found below:
- Dr. Anshum Bhalla completed her medical degree at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India and her residency at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Before moving to Sarnia, Dr. Bhalla served the community of Port Huron as part of the Lake Huron Medical Center and McLaren Port Huron.
- Dr. James Boudreau obtained his medical degree at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University, completed his postgraduate training in internal medicine at Dalhousie University, and recently returned to Western University to complete a subspecialty in general internal medicine.
- Dr. Robin Bushell completed his medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan and his family medicine residency and family practice anaesthesiology residency at McMaster University.
- Dr. Elizabeth Lounsbury completed her medical degree and her neurology residency at the University of Ottawa.
- Dr. John Matheson completed his medical degree at Trinity College Dublin and his orthopaedic surgery residency at Western University. He has also completed a shoulder surgery fellowship at St. Joseph’s Health Care and London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ontario.
- Dr. David Mattingley completed his medical degree at Saba University School of Medicine in the Caribbean, his post graduate training in anaesthesiology at the University of Toledo, and a fellowship in acute pain and regional anaesthesia at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining Bluewater Health, he practiced Anaesthesiology at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan.
- Dr. Kathleen Nelligan completed her medical degree and residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Western University. She then completed fellowship training in oncologic and microvascular reconstruction at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
- Dr. Adetunji Oremakinde completed his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and his Family Medicine residency at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Nigeria. Prior to moving to Sarnia, he has been practicing emergency medicine and family medicine in Sechelt, British Columbia.
- Dr. Jeremy Springer completed his medical degree and Master of Science at Dalhousie University and his General Surgery training at McMaster University. He completed a minimally invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at the University of Massachusetts where he trained in advanced techniques in endoscopy, transanal and rectal surgery. Dr. Springer also served in the Canadian Forces as a reservist medic throughout his medical training.
- Dr. Colin Way completed his medical degree at the University of Ottawa and his general surgery residency training at Western University. He has also completed additional subspecialty training in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, and a fellowship in breast surgery with a focus on oncoplastic techniques.