The hiring of a new Rockwood doctor by the East Wellington Family Health Team is “unbelievable News for the community,” says Guelph-Eramosa councillor Doug Breen.
As such, Breen said it is “a no-brainer” for the township to provide a $15,000 interest-free loan – to be repaid by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care – to Dr. Alejandra Marin.
“Not to be dramatic, but this is the thing I’ve lost the most sleep over the last few years,” Breen said of the community being left without a doctor if long-time physician Johanna Hosdil actually retired, as she has wanted to for several years.
The request from family health team executive director Michelle Karker and president Erik Stern stated Marin “joined our team one month ago and is looking forward to moving into the new medical building later this year.”
The loan will be repaid by the team over a three-year period, as per the payment agreement between Marin and the ministry.
“As a new graduate, this loan greatly assists Dr. Marin in her relocation to the area,” stated the letter from Karker and Stern.
Mayor Chris White said Guelph and a lot of municipalities in Wellington County have provided the advancement, which is repaid to the municipalities by the province.
The problem is, White explained, the ministry does not provide the money fast enough and municipalities have stepped up to ensure the money is available right away as an incentive for physicians – which was the original goal of providing the loans.
Council unanimously approved the $15,000 loan (councillor Roger Knapp was absent). Stern said the FHT appreciates all the ongoing support from the municipality.
