KAMLOOPS, BC — The Thompson Region Division of Family Practice has launched a new fundraising initiative to help attract new family doctors to the Kamloops-Thompson Region. Champions for Family Medicine is seeking the support of local, like-minded businesses for funding to help the Division market to out-of-province doctors, encouraging them to relocate and practice family medicine in the region.
Tim Shoults, the Division’s Executive Director, said that Kamloops faces constant competition from communities around the country for family doctors, and the city can watch from the sidelines or do its best to entice new physicians for local families who desperately need a primary care provider.
“This is a big thing to ask for,” Shoults said. “Thankfully, we live in a community that knows about the power of working together, the power of local solutions. We are a community of champions.”
Shoults said the new funding agreement with the BC government will go a long way to alleviating physicians’ concerns about staying in or joining family practices, but the pay model does not specifically draw attention to Kamloops and its surrounding communities.
“Champions for Family Medicine will celebrate the outstanding efforts of some of our local physicians, educate local residents on the challenges of family practice, and recognize the support of our media partners and local business sponsors,” Shoults said.
Kamloops family doctor Servaas Swart said, “Primary care is the front line of maintaining healthy communities, and right now 40 thousand people in our area are absent this basic health necessity.”
Interested businesses can email: sbreen@thompsondivision.ca. The Thompson Region Division of Family Practice represents more than 200 family physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, residents, and retired doctors in Kamloops, Barriere, Sun Peaks, Logan Lake, Chase, and North Shuswap.
~ Source: Tim Shoults, Executive Director, Thompson Region Division of Family Practice