Orillia addresses doctor shortage in grand opening of training facility

Orillia Family Medicine Teaching Unit’s (FMTU) has a new location and is designed for hands-on clinical training.

It’s no secret that health care has been on top of mind for Ontarians. In a time when the province is experiencing a shortage of family doctors and general access to health care – especially in smaller towns – a glimmer of hope exists in the city of Orillia. A renovated family medicine teaching facility has been unveiled.

Wednesday marked the grand opening of the Orillia Family Medicine Teaching Unit’s (FMTU) new location at the Friden Health and Wellness Centre on Peter Street, a revamp that supports a learning environment where recent medical school graduates can train under experienced doctors.

According to the press release, the FMTU brought in physician residents and grads in the summer, the new space is designed to offer hands-on clinical training. It will also provide the opportunity for the doctors in training to learn from local family physicians on the job and actually assist with caring for the patients.

“This new location is a foundational next step in the evolution of the FMTU,” said co-site directors of the FMTU Dr. Erika Catford and Dr. Heather Laakso. “We are thrilled to provide an exceptional environment where residents can learn, grow, and deliver high-quality care. Training physicians locally not only strengthens our healthcare system but also helps build lasting relationships between new doctors and the community they serve.”

FMTU began early this summer in a partnership with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) and the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

The release states that the group effort aims to address the growing need for more family doctors in our province. By providing the medical residents the opportunity to practice close to home, the more likely they are to say within the community, resulting in more family doctors locally.

“It’s been a wonderful opportunity to be part of this exciting new initiative,” said 1^st year resident Daniel Marinescu. “We’ve all felt the warm embrace of the hospital and the community and we look forward to continuing our learning as part of this important program.”

According to the release, FMTU is projected to grow even more over the next few years.