Who we are

In the Greater Dufferin area, it is estimated that some 15,000 residents- approximately 25 percent of the population - are without a family doctor.

To meet the current need of our community, 13 family physicians are urgently required. This breaks down into a requirement for nine family practitioners in the Orangeville area and four in Shelburne..

To address this urgent community need, the Greater Dufferin area Physician Search Committee has been formed, an all volunteer organization of some 14 active members from across our community, plus another six who serve as resource support for the Committee's endeavours.

Representation is broad-based, including concerned residents, municipal office holders, members of the medical community, service clubs and Headwaters Health Care Centre. Currently, the County of Dufferin is the primary source of direct funding for the Committee's efforts.

A Steering Committee, setting out plans and priorities, for the Search Committee, is comprised of three residents of the community, one municipal representative and one physician (retired). All also serve on the larger Committee.

The Goals of the Greater Dufferin Area Physician Search Committee are to:

• dramatically expand the number of physician candidates familiar with the opportunities and benefits to be derived from living and practicing in the Greater Dufferin area.
• ensure that candidate-visitors and their families feel more welcome, comfortable and wanted in Greater Dufferin than in any other community.
• facilitate and enhance the support new physicians receive from the existing medical community.
• undertake a retention strategy to keep physicians within the Greater Dufferin area and encourage those doing "extended locums" to return permanently to our community.

opportunities@physicianswanted.ca