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practical medicine taking his elective in Calgary for anaesthesiology, then Vancouver to practice emergency medicine and on to St. John’s, Nova Scotia for derma- tology. Next he travelled more than 2,300 km north to Nunavut to practice family medicine and then on to Montreal for obstetrics. The years of school and residencies took him all over Ontario but Kingston was special because he met his wife Nermeen there. After practicing as a locum in several towns in Ontario, Dr. Schurter and his wife chose Port Perry as a permanent location. “I liked the town and the group of doctors I met, and for us the proximity to family in Toronto, Listowel and Kingston was really important.” The town of Sunderland was lacking medical service, so Dr. Schurter started his family medicine practice there, where he practices twice a week. That gives him two days a week to provide anaesthetic and emer- gency room services at Lakeridge Health Port Perry. Add to this a cou- ple of clinics a month at the Medical Associates Clinic, patient consults and a few shifts a month in emer- gency and Dr. Schurter’s time is well filled. From a small town himself, Dr. Schurter finds getting to know his Sunderland patients and treating them on an ongoing basis very rewarding. He is in a position where he can offer continued support for a long time to come. In his capacity with anaesthetic services, Dr. Schurter finds the Lakeridge team very collaborative. Although a small team they have excellent communication skills, are continually implementing learned techniques and strive constantly to modernize patient care. The team has re- cently introduced a portable ultrasound machine which has already made a difference. Dr. Schurter is amazed at the generosity of the com- munity. He adds, “Many communities cannot boast of the kind of generosity that Scugog Township displays. The ability to be able to purchase these kinds of things through fundraising is incredible.” Dr. Schurter’s interest in travel and international medicine led to an instant rapport with Dr. Tony Brown, who has been instrumental in giving his time and medi- cal expertise in remote areas such as Central America and Haiti. During Dr. Schurter’s earlier years in residency he travelled to India with the Himalayan Health Exchange to set up a clinic and later to Panama as a resident for three weeks. It was during this period that he undertook a one month elective in tropical medicine. With a common love for travel medicine, both Dr. Brown and Dr. Schurter have started a small interest group which shares experiences that have resulted from Dr. Schurter has studied/practiced in Ontario, BC, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and India 05, JUNE 40 PAGES REVISED.indd 25 their travels. About a year ago Dr. Schurter took his love of travel and blended it into his practice. His patients can book a travel advice appointment before they go away ona trip. He explains, “Some people are not well travelled and have varied con- cerns. Is the water safe and what will the food be like are very com- Love of travel led to an interest in tropical/travel medicine which he has blended into his practice know what vaccines and shots are required and what infections can be contacted. Many people fear the unknown and want as much information as possible. What we try to do is educate so that we can reduce the risk of people get- ting sick,” he says. When Dr. Schurter isn’t at the Sunderland Medi- cal Centre, the Medical Associates of Port Perry, or the hospital, he indulges in hockey and soccer, lots of walks with his family, taking part in community events and he likes playing the piano — he stresses the word ‘play’ and says his efforts are strictly recreational. This busy doctor strives to keep balance in his life but will continue to learn and educate both himself and his patients. He wants to get more involved in palliative care and sees in the future trying to provide more care in the home than the hospital. His belief is people and their families are happier at home. Sometime in the future Dr. Schurter would like to do a medical trip abroad. He has a great desire for learning so he imagines a trip that would focus on education and have some longevity to it. Despite his busy practice, he finds time for hockey, soccer, piano and most important, time with his family thing that when I walk away, a real change will occur. For exam- ple, there is a group of doctors who go to Africa to do hernia repairs. That is the type of medical work I envision doing.” For now, Dr. Schurter will continue full steam ahead, his plate full, but balanced. Along with his wife and new son, he will give to his community in as many ways as he can but he will also take time to stop and smell the roses and enjoy what his community has to offer. By Marjorie Fleming Focus on Scugog FOCUS - JUNE 2012 25 12-05-21 10:00 AM