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The @ Docs’ Ferguson, whom she met when she was 16, and became engaged a year later. It was time for university and Kim enrolled in a busi- ness course at the University of Toronto. She made Randy wait until she was twenty before agreeing to marry him and her dreams of going into medicine drifted into the distance. Kim accepted a posi- tion with Tuxedo Royale in Pickering and when When we used to she and Randy moved —_ play doctor, the girls to Blackstock it was time to get serious about a career. London Life was hiring agents and Kim applied and was hired. Two years later her son Matthew was born and three years after that Kim and Randy were blessed with a baby girl, Megan. Life was good, but Kim quietly regretted her decision not to follow her lifelong dream. always wanted to be nurses, but not me. I always wanted to be a doctor...” ...Dr. Kim Ferguson In 1994, while vacationing in the southeast USA, Kim visited relatives and recalls an extremely influential conversation. “I remember sitting in the kitchen with my cousin who told me that there was nothing I could not do and that I should follow my dream.” The words sank in and Kim explained to Randy that she wanted to change careers. “I am so fortunate that Randy is an understanding person. When I told him of my wish he simply told me to do it.” Kim resigned from the life insurance business and attended Trent University, do- ing an undergrad in Biology and Psychology. Three years later she applied at all five medical schools and was rejected by four with no response from U of T. One day, while in Toronto, Kim decided to call on the medical facility at U of T simply to enquire why they had not responded to her admission request. She was told they had and were waiting for her marks. Kim found the near- est phone, called Trent and asked to have her transcripts faxed. That September she started her first day of medical school. No doubt the Ferguson household was in an upheaval. “I was fortunate my mom lives with us and that Randy had a fair bit of time during the day to help with the kids,” Kim said. “I would stay in Toronto when I had to and com- mute home whenever I had the opportunity. “My son and I would chat on ICQ every night and I would spend a great deal of time talking on the phone with my daughter.” She smiled. “It’s amazing how much 16 FOCUS - JULY 2010 people tell you when you are not face to face with them.” The hectic lifestyle went on for four years and another year at Toronto East General. Thankfully U of T has a rural Family Medicine program where stu- dents have an opportunity to travel to small towns. Kim jumped at the chance of coming to Port Perry and recalls a conversation with Dr. Bill Cohoon who was ‘selling’ her on the benefits of working here. “You don’t have to sell me, Bill,” Kim relayed her conversation. “I want to come to Port Perry. It’s where I grew up.” In 2003 Kim became ‘Dr. Kim Ferguson’ and ab- solutely loves the job. “It’s all about the people,” she explained. “I love the contact and being able to make a difference.” Secretly she is fondest of her obstetrical patients, but treats everyone with respect and care. You would think juggling a medical practice, two children and a husband would take up most of Kim’s time, but it seems there is more. As part of her practice, Kim works at the Urgent Care Clinic, assists in surgeries, performs minor proce- dures and along with eight other Docs, delivers babies. Every other week Kim heads up to the First Nation medical clinic on the island and spends a half day car- ing for local residents. She is a heavily involved with LHIN (Local Health Integration Network). An (extremely worthwhile) organization which has the legislative power and au- thority to effectively plan, coordinate, and fund local health systems making it easier for patients to access the care they need. One of Kim’s roles is to attend meetings and review proposals for increased healthcare for our com- munity. Kim is also involved with UPA (Unattached Patient Assess- ment Project) and along with a nurse practi- tioner and lawyer have developed a model for those people who do not have primary care. A team of retired physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses travel to rural locations to screen those pa- tients and link them with any care they require, as well as trying to associate them with a primary care person. Kim is Director of Continuing Medical Education at the Medical Associates of Port Perry, a responsibility in which she brings education to the local physicians. Kim Ferguson is dedicated and committed to tak- ing care of our residents. She enthusiastically summed it all up when she said, “I am so blessed, because I get to do what I love.” A friend told her there wasn’t anything she couldn’t do, and she should follow her dream By Jonathan van Bilsen Focus on Scugog