ERIN – Dr. Duncan Bull is saying goodbye after over 40 years of providing health care in the Erin-Hillsburgh community.
On Aug. 25, the staff and board of the East Wellington Family Health Team (EWFHT), honoured the many contributions of Bull, a founding member of the organization.
“I think as a family doctor, you’re very lucky, especially in a small community, to get to know a lot of people and their roles in the community,” Bull told the Advertiser.
“And I always wanted to be part of a small community and try and contribute and in whatever way I could.
“You get to know people and they grow older, and they have families and [you] get to see the families grow up,” he added.
“So it’s quite a unique position and I’m honoured to be able to do that.”
Though he officially retired in May of 2020, Bull continued to assist the EWFHT in flu shot and COVID-19 vaccination efforts and covered physician shortages.
Bull established his family practice in Erin in 1981.
In addition to providing primary care for his patients, Bull’s early days consisted of delivering babies, attending car crash scenes to work alongside Erin firefighters, and covering ER shifts at Guelph General, an Aug. 25 EWFHT release noted.
His many contributions included working with the (then) East Wellington Advisory Group – now East Wellington Community Services – in 2005 to support an application for a Family Health Team in East Wellington, which led to the establishment of the EWFHT, where he held the role of lead physician from 2008 to 2018.
Under Bull’s leadership, the EWFHT grew from a team of four doctors, between the Erin and Rockwood clinics, to 10 physicians who continue to provide care for 12,400 patients.
Bull said it was an honour during the retirement gathering to meet with patients he’s known for a long time, as well as those in the younger generation.
“It was very nice to be honoured,” he said. “I got as much out of it as I’m sure that I was able to put in.”
Recognized for his commitment to the profession, in September of 2014, Bull was awarded the prestigious Council Award by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
He was also instrumental in bringing the blood donor clinic to Erin and enlisting the support of the Erin Optimists, where he has been a member for nearly 40 years.
“I just think we’re very lucky to have the family health team established in our area,” Bull said of his time serving the community.
“I hope that more physicians, when they’re needed, recognize [practicing] in a small community is an honour.”
He noted there’s less isolation in small communities now with practices offering a virtual option for patients.
“Patients can get care in their own community now that they [couldn’t] before,” he said.
“So I’m very happy … and I hope it just continues on for a long time with improvements along the way.”
EWFHT executive director Kim Bell, who worked alongside Bull for 13 years, said the longtime doctor is compassionate, kind and dedicated.
“He’s somebody who prefers to focus on others [more] than himself,” she explained.
“And his commitment is just very evident, and in how it’s just part of him to teach others and include others, and help others reach their full potential.”
She added Bull was very empathetic toward his patients, and was well regarded not only by them, but by the community at large.
“He really had an approach that included making patients feel comfortable, putting them at ease, explaining anything that they didn’t understand, and really wanting to partner with patients in their health care, not just as a top-down approach from doctor to patient,” Bell explained.
When preparing for the retirement party, Bell said she went to five stores in search of a retirement banner without luck.
While picking up balloons, she mentioned in passing to someone the need of a banner for Bull.
Hours later, Bell received a call from someone notifying her they’d heard she was looking for a banner and someone had dropped one off at the Legion.
“It’s such a reflection of how well he is thought of in the community, not just as a physician, [but] someone who is just entrenched in the community,” she said.
“It’s not just about being a doctor, it’s about being fully supportive and integrated with this community.”
