Dr. Zeshan Talib joins medical team
GORE BAY—The Town of Gore Bay and Gore Bay Medical Centre welcomed a new physician to its fold last week with Dr. Zeshan Talib joining the Gore Bay medical team.
Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane relayed the good news at a town council meeting last week. “This is very good news. Dr. Zeshan Talib started today at the medical centre and he is already involved in taking patients at the medical centre. Manitoulin Transport is providing a place for him to stay in one of their places on the bay.”
“It really exciting to have Dr. Talib here,” said Dr. Robert Hamilton. “It is certainly big news,” he said, noting the town of Gore Bay has been very proactive in enticing Dr. Talib to move and work in the town.
“I had several options to choose from, to help,” said Dr. Talib. “And I had the chance to visit Gore Bay and the area (earlier this year) and found the people are very friendly and it is a beautiful place. And it is a quiet town which was one of the things I was looking for.”
Dr. Talib had been working in Brampton prior to moving to Gore Bay. “It is a big change from where I had been previously. I am definitely looking forward to living and working here.”
Dr. Talib was drawn to the unique charm of the rural municipality and surrounding area. After an extensive tour across Western Manitoulin last spring, meeting with representatives from each community and experiencing the exceptional amenities, he eagerly accepted the offer to join the Gore Bay medical team. He said at the time, “I am thrilled to be joining the Gore Bay community and to have the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated healthcare professionals. My goal is to build strong relationships with my patients and provide them personalized care that meets their unique needs.”
“Dr. Talib has worked in other countries in the world, including Pakistan (where he is originally from) and Kazakhstan,” said Dr. Hamilton. “One of the things that is exciting, is that Zeshan has a lot of experience and skills. He arrived on the weekend and has already started seeing patients.”
“Family medicine is a recognized specialty in its own right,” said Dr. Hamilton. “The skills in a rural setting are often broader than in an urban clinic.”
Dr. Hamilton said, “In terms of what members of the public will be interested in is that with Dr. Talib here joining our team, we will be able to make a dent in the waiting list for patient appointments.”
Mayor Lane said, “Dr. Talib is a very friendly person, and he is obviously happy to be here. I told him I hope he enjoys his time here and hopefully he will consider staying here for many years.”
“We are thankful Manitoulin Transport is providing him accommodations,” said Mayor Lane. “It was a collective effort of the town, our dedicated doctors at the medical centre (Robert Hamilton, Shelagh McRae, Chantelle Wilson), and the Ministry of Health with their support through the Foreign Trained Family Physicians program.”
Dr Talib has been working on and off in Canada for a couple of years, having worked in a couple of medical centres in southern Ontario, and has been a licenced physician in Pakistan for about 10 years.
As part of the MOH program Dr. Talib will work under the current physician’s supervision for two years and is required to stay and work in Gore Bay for a minimum of three years.
“We’re delighted to have Dr. Talib here,” said Dr. Wilson. “We look forward to showing him all the wonderful things Manitoulin Island has to offer and to help him become familiar with the community.”
