City of Ottawa hires former CHEO project manager to lead doctor recruitment strategy

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe (left) with Danielle Vernooy, recently hired as the city's primary care recruitment ambassador. (Mark Sutcliffe/Instagram)

The City of Ottawa has announced a step forward in its 10-point plan to recruit and keep family doctors in the capital.

On Wednesday, city staff said Danielle Vernooy has joined the city as a “primary care ambassador” to lead coordination efforts between the city and health-care providers, support recruitment and retention initiatives, and “help advance new approaches to improving access to primary care for residents over the two-year pilot period,” a memo said.

“Danielle was most recently a Project Manager with the Kids Come First Health Team at CHEO, where she led the Primary Care portfolio,” said Will McDonald, director of Ottawa’s strategic projects office. “Danielle has also worked closely with Ontario Health Teams across Eastern Ontario to align regional priorities, support collective action, and advance innovative approaches to primary care attachment for newborns, children, youth, and families.”

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On social media, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he was pleased to welcome Vernooy to the role.

“She understands how primary care works on the ground, and what it takes to make the system more connected and responsive for patients. In this role, she will help us recruit more doctors and nurse practitioners, strengthen partnerships, and better connect residents to the care they need, when they need it,” Sutcliffe said.

City council approved the primary care provider recruitment and retention strategy last fall. The 10-point plan includes creating a primary care recruitment ambassador, implementing a strategy to attract new doctors and calling on the Ontario government to lift the five-year restriction on international medical graduates practicing in Ottawa.

The plan does not include financial incentives, like those offered by municipalities like Kingston or North Grenville.

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Recruiting an ambassador was the first step in the 10-step process. Staff say the city is now positioned to move forward.

“With this role now in place, the City is well-positioned to build momentum on the Strategy’s priorities, including advancing collaborative recruitment efforts, supporting the development of new care models, and continuing advocacy with provincial partners to address systemic barriers,” McDonald wrote.

Staff estimate Ottawa needs around 270 new primary care providers to meet the needs of the population. It is estimated that more than 200,000 residents are without a primary care provider.

Staff told CTV News Ottawa the role comes with a salary range of $102,307 to $124,480 per year.