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in Port Perry. “I remember thinking this is a wonderful town with great people.” But the old-town charm of Port Perry couldn’t compete with the power of love. Shortly after working the summer in Port Perry, she would follow her heart to Alberta to be with her hus- band. There in the small town of Stony Plain, which ac- cording to Merrilee “had the same agricultural flavour” as Port Perry, she would continue performing ‘locum tenens’ work for another TT ear. “Every one of the But Port Perry con- d dd tinued to call her name, joctors adds a and with her husband being a “small-town boy” himself, they both felt Port Perry was the best place to “open up shop.” She remembers one 1 Port Perry experience” which solidi- fied, for her, the decision to come back to town. “One night I admitted a grandfather to the hospital and then delivered his grandchild within the same 24- hour period,” she says with a heart-warming smile. According to Merrilee the special connection she gets to establish with her patients and their families is just one of the many benefits of practicing in a small town. “You get to work with generations of families,” she adds. Since settling in town and starting her practice, Mer- rilee has realized that all the ‘Docs’ have their designated place within the medical community. “Every one of the doctors adds a piece to the puzzle, we have a broad skill- set of doctors here,” she explains. Merrilee has found her own niche in teaching. “I am heavily involved in medical education,” she says, referring to her position as co-chair of the Professional Development Committee for the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine and her role with the National Joint Committee on Rural Educa- tion. Piece to the puzzle - we have a broad set of skills.” . Dr. Merrilee Brown “Teaching is such a joy for me because when I’m teaching I get to share what I love about it with others and it constantly reconnects me with what I love.” And though she has received a lot of awards for her role in teaching, including the OCFP Community Teacher of the Year award in 2004, the Hollister King Rural Teaching Award in 2006, and the Rural Ontario Medical Programme’s Postgraduate Preceptor of the Year award in 2008, Merrilee humbly says, “The awards have a lot to do with residents. It’s not about me, but the experience they have while they are here.” According to Dr. Brown, it’s the unique nature of the training here in Port Perry and the unique treatment the residents receive that makes the experience so notewor- Ey 'y- “We have the residents over for dinner; we include them in our lives. It makes a difference because in medi- cal school you often don’t get treated as a person, you're “Teaching is such a joy for me because when I’m teaching | get to share what | love about it with others and it constantly reconnects me with what | love.” .. Dr. Merrilee Brown treated strictly as a colleague,” she explains. “But here, it’s different and I think that’s very memorable. These awards reflect what a great experience it is here.” Merrilee also insists that the tremendous support of her family, including her husband, Steve, her children, Alastair and Sophie, and her brother, Doug, is what al- lows her to take on all the work she does every day. “Without Steve I couldn’t do this. He’s truly a stand- up guy and a hands-on father,” she says, admiringly. “It won't work unless your spouse is on board. They can’t fall apart if you're called away and they definitely have to value what you do because there is a lot of sacrifice in terms of personal time. Please turn to page 40 SHOPPERS DRUG MART & chasities actos to a maximum of $5,000. Shoppers Drug Mar’ “The best investment you can make in your community.” Help Support Port Perry Hospital with Shoppers Drug Mart Tree of Life Once again, Shoppers Drug Mart will be raising money through their stores for local ss Canada with their annual “Tree of in our Port Perry store will be passed.al along to the Port Perry Hospital Foundation, which will benefit the New Life Cent Purchase a personalized Leaf ra ‘$1, a Maple Leaf for $5 or a tax receiptable Apple for $50, and Doug Brown, Pharmacist/Owner of Port Perry Shoppers Drug Mart, will match your donation*! Please visit Port Perry Shoppers Drug Mart before September 30, 2010 to show your support and make your donation to the Tree of Life! 105-985-8886 * 1865 Scugog Street, Port Perry TREE OF LIFE Life Campaign”. All funds raised FOCUS - SEPTEMBER 2010 39