Wasaga Beach welcomes third family doctor in less than three years

The Wasaga sign at Wasaga Beach. (CTV News/Rob Cooper)

Wasaga Beach has officially welcomed its third family doctor in less than three years.

Dr. Stephanie Rogers, who has been serving as a locum physician at Ramblewood Medical Clinic since 2022, was formally accepted into the local Family Health Organization this past January.

“I’m very pleased to be joining the Wasaga Beach community and look forward to caring for patients here,” said Dr. Rogers. “Providing comprehensive, relationship-based care is incredibly important to me. I’m grateful for the opportunity to establish my practice here and to support patients and families over the long term.”

She is taking over roughly 1,000 patients from a retiring physician, helping make sure those residents continue to receive consistent, long-term primary care.

Dr. Rogers now joins Dr. Jacob McGavin and Dr. Yannick Charette, who were also recruited through the town’s doctor recruitment strategy launched in August 2023. According to council, the three physicians are serving more than 4,000 patients across the community.

• RELATED: Wasaga Beach welcomes newest family physician serving full roster of patients

With a current population of about 25,000, a number expected to double by 2051, the Ministry of Health said it identified Wasaga Beach as an area of high physician need.

“We are proud to welcome Dr. Rogers to Wasaga Beach. Council understands what a difference this will make in the lives of 1,000 residents. Recruiting three new doctors in less than three years is an important milestone and clear evidence that council’s innovative approach is working,” said Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith in a release.

The medical clinic, located at 160 Beck Street, is municipally funded through the town’s OLG casino revenue. The fully equipped facility is designed to remove barriers for doctors looking to set up practice locally.

Since reopening, the town says the community medical centre and after-hours clinic has supported thousands of patients. In February 2024, the province invested more than $880,000 through the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team, allowing for expanded services at the clinic.

Residents without a family doctor can access the Wasaga Beach Medical Clinic for non-urgent care. The team says anyone needing help completing forms can call 2-1-1 and request assistance joining the waitlist.