Amid the Sault’s family doctor shortage, 8 Group Health Centre MDs receive awards

The Ontario College of Family Physicians has presented awards to 750 doctors based on comments from patients, including eight physicians who are part of the Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Ontario College of Family Physicians has presented awards to 750 doctors based on comments from patients, including eight physicians, pictured here on October 3, 2024, are part of the Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

The honours are part of a new campaign by the College.

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"We asked patients, what inspires you most about your family doctor or your family physician?" said Deepy Sur of the Ontario College of Family Physicians.

"We thought we'd hear a few responses (but) we had over 750 patients tell us about how they felt about their doctor."

The Group Health Centre has had a tough year as a result of doctor shortages that has weighed heavily on the physicians that are still practising.

The north entrance of the Group Health Centre on McNabb Street in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. in October 2024. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontairo)

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But they said the awards will be a reminder of the impact they make, on some of those difficult days.

"It's really nice to be appreciated," said Dr. Carrie Kuntz, who has been with the Sault health centre for 16 years.

"It's not always an easy job, but I love it. I can't picture doing anything else. So it's nice to be recognized and know that people are grateful."

"You develop a relationship over many years," added Dr. Chris Bruni, a 38-year veteran of family medicine.

"You get to know your patients, their families, their history. And you get to know them fairly intimately. And I think that's a huge part in being able to provide them with good health care -- health care that's unique for them and is helpful for them."

With eight of 30 Group Health doctors honoured, officials said it's another indicator of the strong work done at the organization, which can also be seen through stats outlined in provincial reports.

“Like how many of our patients visit (the emergency department) who we could have seen, how many of our patients get hospitalized and how often we take care of our own patients," said Dr. Jodie Stewart of the Algoma District Medical Group.

"What those metrics have been showing us consistently for years is that our group does a great job. Our numbers are better than Oklahoma, better than the northeast average. And actually, every one of our metrics is better than provincial average."

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Group Health officials said they are still working hard to recruit new physicians.

The hope is that the high number of local award winners will show new and practising physicians that the success that can be achieved in the Sault -- and help with the recruitment process.