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2 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,May 3, 2011 Halton Physician Appreciation Week +aW to Hats off to Halton's Physicians May 1, 2011 was the first ever Doctors' Day in Ontario. The date was chosen because May 1 was the birthday of Dr. Emily Stowe, the first female physician in Canada. To formally recognize the incredible work that doctors do, Reza Moridi, MPP Richmond Gary Carr - Halton Regional Chair Hill, successfully introduced the motion to the Ontario Legislature on April 7 for the official designation, and it was passed by all parties. In Halton, we have celebrated Physician Appreciation Week for nine years. During this week, May 2 to 6, 2011, Halton Region and local hospitals recognize physicians for their contribution to our community. The week was originally designated by the Halton Physician Recruitment program which was established in 2002. The program's goal is to ensure residents have access to effective health services today and in the future. By working together with our Local Municipalities, physicians, local hospitals, the Ministry of Health and LongTerm Care and others, our Physician Recruitment initiative has achieved tremendous results. Since 2003, the program has helped bring over 130 new family doctors to Halton. Halton physicians keep our community healthy and thriving. We are fortunate to have such excellent medical care available. During Halton Physician Appreciation Week, we join together as a community to say thank you to all of Halton's dedicated physicians. As an additional gesture of appreciation, this year Halton Region partnered with the Doctors' Hockey Club and the Alzheimer Society of Hamilton Halton to host Docs on Ice, an annual fundraising doctors' hockey tournament. Doctors volunteer in the community through events such as Docs on Ice, helping to make Halton a wonderful place to live, work, raise a family and retire. The tournament brought over 900 doctors and medical students to Halton in April. With the help of local volunteers, the tournament raised $150,000 for the Alzheimer Society of Hamilton Halton. Thank you to the physicians who participated in the tournament. There was a wonderful feeling of camaraderie throughout the three-day event. I know this same spirit exists among the physician community as a whole, and contributes to its success here in Halton. Once again, thank you to all of Halton's physicians. We very much appreciate your role in keeping Halton healthy. To see a list of newly recruited doctors who are accepting patients across Halton, visit www.halton.ca/newphysicians. To find out more about Halton Physician Appreciation Week or Halton Region's Physician Recruitment Program, contact Angela Sugden-Praysner, Physician Recruitment Coordinator, by dialing 311 or 905-825-6000, or visit www.haltondoctors.ca. Recognizing Halton Healthcare Services' Physicians "The level of physician engagement and clinical leadership at Halton Healthcare Services is exemplary. We have a very progressive team of dedicated specialists, family doctors and Hospitalists who are constantly raising the bar - by introducing new technologies, procedures and improved ways of delivering care. Their support has been invaluable in helping us grow our hospitals' programs and services so we can better serve our communities." l"r *orne +artin ChieD oD 1taDD Halton Healthcare Services "I continue to be very impressed with the way in which our physicians offer such high quality patient-focused care given our current capacity constraints at Milton District Hospital (MDH). As key members of our healthcare team, their continued energy, dedication and commitment to excellence has been very inspiring. Over the past year, we have also been very fortunate in attracting new specialists, as well as emergency and family physicians to MDH to help keep pace in our efforts to serve this growing community." lllan Halls Chief -peratinE -fÍcer +"H 4iceÌ.resident Halton Healthcare Services "We have an extremely dynamic medical team at Halton Healthcare Services ­ one that is committed to their patients, our hospitals and our communities. Their clinical expertise and leadership is simply outstanding. Their professionalism, dedication and positive proactive approach ensures that the residents of our three communities receive the highest and safest quality of care." l"enise Hardenne Senior 4iceÌ.resident Halton Healthcare Services "The physicians at Georgetown Hospital are known for both their compassion and commitment to excellence. Halton Hills and Georgetown Hospital are fortunate to have such an exceptionally dedicated and professional group of physicians caring for our community. The level of commitment, collaboration and expertise with which they provide patient-centred, quality care is truly inspiring." lCindW +c"onell Chief -peratinE -fÍcer %eorEetoUn Hospital 0eEionaJ +SniAipaJitW oD &aJton k "iaJ or ÌÌ k 2oJJ $ree ÌÌÌ k 227 ÌÌ k UUU haJton Aa LPS-11048