Northumberland County has taken the next step in addressing the growing local shortage of family doctors with the hiring of Paula Mason, RPR, as its first Physician Recruitment Specialist, and the formal launch of a new Physician Recruitment Advisory Committee. Together, these initiatives form part of a two-year County-led pilot project to improve access to primary health care for residents across all seven municipalities of Northumberland.
Paula Mason will begin her role with Northumberland County on September 22. She brings extensive experience to this role. Since 2018, she has served as Manager of Physician Recruitment and Retention for the ‘Docs by the Bay’ physician recruitment organization serving Brighton and Trenton, where she built a reputation for creating strong networks and achieving results in physician attraction and retention. With more than 30 years of client service expertise across health care, retail, and banking, she is known as a skilled communicator and collaborative leader.
Paula is also a nationally recognized leader in her field. A long-standing member of the Canadian Society of Physician Recruitment (CaSPR), she served two years as Chair of its Board of Directors and, in 2023, received the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She is currently Vice-Chair of the Eastern Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance (EOPRA). Paula will lead the design and implementation of a recruitment action plan, working closely with health sector partners and local communities to attract and retain physicians to Northumberland.
She will also facilitate the newly established Physician Recruitment Advisory Committee, which will provide strategic guidance and coordination to support the County’s recruitment efforts. The committee’s membership reflects a balance of health care provider, municipal, community, and business perspectives, ensuring that physician recruitment efforts reflect both community health needs and the economic importance of primary care access.
Delegates include:
Ed Gannon, Executive Director, Lakeview Family Health Team – OHT-N Collaboration Council delegate
Delayne Donald, Executive Director, Trent Hills Family Health Team – OHT-N Collaboration Council delegate
Dr. Michelle Cohen, Primary Care Physician, Lakeview Family Health Team – OHT-N Primary Care Network delegate
Dr. Michelle Long, Primary Care Physician, Ganaraska Family Health Organization – OHT-N Primary Care Network delegate
Councillor Greg Booth – Township of Alnwick/Haldimand delegate
Councillor Anne Butwell – Municipality of Brighton delegate
Councillor Randy Barber – Town of Cobourg delegate
Spencer Cobourn – Township of Cramahe delegate
Robert Gibson – Township of Hamilton delegate
Councillor Les Andrews – Municipality of Port Hope delegate
Councillor Daniel Giddings – Municipality of Trent Hills delegate
Olinda Casimiro, Executive Director, Art Gallery of Northumberland—Business appointee
Robert Seguin, Managing Partner, Thrive Partnership Group, Inc.—Business appointee
Currently, an estimated 8,000 residents in Northumberland County lack access to a family doctor, with this number expected to grow significantly in the coming years. By coordinating recruitment through the County, leaders aim to build on past local efforts while creating a stronger, unified approach.
“Council has heard clearly from residents and partners that the shortage of family doctors is one of the most pressing issues facing our community,” says County Warden Brian Ostrander. “With Paula’s expertise and the launch of the new advisory committee, this pilot represents a united, county-wide approach, bringing health care partners, community members, business leaders, and municipalities together to find solutions that will strengthen access to primary care for all Northumberland residents.”
“Hiring Paula and launching the advisory committee are important first steps,” adds Director of Health & Human Services Glenn Dees. “This pilot project is about collaboration—aligning efforts to ensure Northumberland is recognized as a place where physicians want to practice and families can count on reliable access to primary care.”
The Physician Recruitment Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting in October, with updates to be shared publicly as work progresses.
(PAUL MARTIN)
