The Municipality of Chatham-Kent, in partnership with the Chatham-Kent Family Physician Recruitment & Retention Task Force, the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team, local Family Health Teams, and healthcare partners across the community, is pleased to welcome five new family physicians who are now practicing in Chatham-Kent and most of whom are currently accepting new patients.
The new physicians include:
- Dr. Kaelan Harwood – Chatham-Kent Family Health Team in Blenheim
- Dr. Adebisi Ogundipe – Chatham-Kent Family Health Team in Wallaceburg
- Dr. Paige Parent – Thamesview Family Health Team in Wheatley
- Dr. Syed Shah – Chatham-Kent Family Health Team in Chatham
- Dr. Adib Shamsuddin – Thamesview Family Health Team in Chatham
These new additions represent continued progress in improving access to primary care for residents across Chatham-Kent and reflect the strong collaboration taking place across the local healthcare sector.
“Access to family healthcare is one of the most important issues facing communities across Ontario, and we are proud to see real progress being made here in Chatham-Kent,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “This success is the result of strong partnerships between the municipality, healthcare organizations, the Physician Recruitment Task Force, and the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team. Welcoming five new family physicians to our community is a major accomplishment and an important step toward connecting more residents with the care they need.”
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has continued to support physician recruitment through funding, incentives, and community partnership initiatives approved by Council. In 2025, the municipality provided funding to support physician recruitment efforts across Chatham-Kent, including incentive programs designed to help attract new family physicians to local communities.
“The recruitment of new family physicians takes a coordinated effort across many organizations and individuals,” said Rebecca Smyth, Physician Recruitment Coordinator with the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team. “We are seeing the benefits of communities, healthcare providers, and municipal leadership working together toward a common goal. We are excited to welcome these physicians and support them as they establish long-term practices in Chatham-Kent.”
In addition to physician recruitment incentives, the municipality has worked alongside healthcare partners to support expansion opportunities for clinical space and strengthen recruitment and retention efforts throughout Chatham-Kent.
“Council recognized that improving access to primary care required a collaborative and proactive approach,” said Audrey Ansell, Director of Community Culture & Connections for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. “The partnerships that have been built between the municipality, the Ontario Health Team, Family Health Teams, and healthcare organizations have created a strong foundation for success. We are encouraged by the momentum we are seeing and remain committed to supporting healthcare recruitment efforts across Chatham-Kent.”
Residents who are currently without a family physician are encouraged to register through Healthcare Connect, a provincial program that helps Ontarians find a family healthcare provider.
Residents can also register by phone at 1-800-445-1822.
More information about physician recruitment efforts in Chatham-Kent can be found at: www.physicianswantedck.com.
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Media Contact:
Eric Labadie
Manager, Corporate Communications
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998 x 2039
ericl@chatham-kent.ca
