MINDEMOYA—Thanks to the support Manitoulin municipalities and the assistance Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) has received from First Nations communities and organizations across the Island, the MHC now has a doctor recruiter.
“A lot of communities in areas of the province are providing for ,$100,000 bonuses for recruiting doctors for their hospitals and then they might leave after two or three years. We want doctors to come to Manitoulin Island because they want to live and work here,” said Paula Fields, president and chief executive officer of the MHC at a Manitoulin Municipal Association (MMA) meeting last week. “And Dawn Noble McCann is the perfect person to recruit doctors to the Island.”
Ms. Fields explained that for upwards of a decade, Island municipalities have supported the MHC and worked in partnership with the North Shore area in trying to recruit doctors to hospitals and health care facilities. Currently the Island is dealing with a shortfall of 11 doctors with another doctor leaving in the next few weeks. With the previous recruiter for the North Shore and Manitoulin, Craig Matheson, having stepped down, Al MacNevin, mayor of the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI) and others felt that the Island needed its own doctor recruiter. “But he knew we (MHC) couldn’t do this on our own. So, we have been talking to the UCCMM (United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising) and chiefs and councils in AOK (Aundeck Omni Kaning), Whitefish River First Nation, M’Chigeeng, Noojmowin Teg, Sheshegwaning, and with their contributions and support from the municipalities we have been able to hire Dawn (Noble McCann) as a physician recruiter.”
“Good evening, it looks like I already know some of you here this evening,” said Ms. Noble McCann. “For those that don’t know me, my name is Dawn Noble McCann and I am from Gore Bay. Prior to this new role, I spent 19 years in education, including 16 years teaching and three years in administration serving as the vice-principal at Manitoulin Secondary School.”
“I bring many transferable skills from education to my work in identifying, attracting, and supporting healthcare professionals on Manitoulin Island. My focus includes fostering connections by linking local residents, businesses, and organizations to help physicians feel welcome and integrated into our island community. Additionally, I will aim to showcase the benefits of rural living on Manitoulin Island, such as our close-knit community, work-life balance, and the Island’s natural beauty.”
Ms. Noble McCann explained her responsibilities as a doctor recruiter include recruitment and outreach, sourcing and recruiting physicians for hospitals, clinics and medical centres across Manitoulin; identifying and targeting physicians who are a good fit for rural healthcare settings; building relationships with medical schools, residency programs and professional networks to attract candidates; conduct ongoing outreach to Island healthcare facilities to understand their needs and requirements. She will be attending conferences, recruitment events and career fairs to present Manitoulin as a desirable place to work, live and play.
Ms. Noble McCann will engage with physician candidates by coordinating meetings and site visits, showcasing the Island’s healthcare facilities, and ensuring a strong alignment between the physicians and the community through open communication and clear expectations. She will assist physicians and locums with housing options, relocation logistics, and settling into the community. Additionally, she will serve as a point of contact for new hires and their families, addressing questions and concerns during their transition. To support integration, she will organize events and introductions, helping physicians and their families connect with the local community while highlighting the Island’s recreational, cultural and educational opportunities.
“I recently attended a recruitment event hosted by NOSM (Northern Ontario School of Medicine), where 37 residents were present. During the event, we connected with five doctors who expressed interest in working on the Island. There’s much more involved in this process, but it’s fantastic to see people expressing interest!” said Ms. Noble McCann. She said this type of exposure has had a ripple effect because she has been getting inquiries and emails from doctors potentially interested in Manitoulin from other areas of the province such as Toronto.
“Manitoulin has so much to offer, and in my role, I provide detailed information about the lifestyle, amenities and benefits of living and working on the Island,” said Ms. Noble McCann.
“In our recruiting efforts, we ensure that once a new physician arrives—along with their families (if applicable)—they are happy and satisfied with their accommodations, schools, daycare, fitness centers, and any other amenities they wish to access. We also monitor physician satisfaction to identify areas where additional support may be needed and foster long-term relationships to encourage retention and create a positive work and living experience.”
“Earlier Paula (Fields) was going to meet with us (MMA) to discuss the fact we no longer had a doctor recruiter, one that we had been sharing with the North Shore. At that time, we didn’t know how we would be able to fund a new recruiter,” said Mayor MacNevin. “The idea was brought up that it would be good if the Island had its own recruiter. Paula visited as many First Nations as she could, and they all knew the challenges the island is facing with primary care and emergency department services. The First Nations are helping the municipalities in contributing to having a recruiter here for the Island. I want to acknowledge Paula for her great work and the First Nations for supporting this as well.”
