North islanders will have access to more family doctors as two new physicians begin their practice in Port McNeill this week.
Island Health is pleased to welcome Dr. Evan Rogers and Dr. Noah O’Connell to the Port McNeill Primary Care Clinic. The two physicians are good friends, attended medical school together at the University of Limerick in Ireland, and just completed a two-year residency in the Comox Valley.
“Bringing two new family physicians to the Port McNeill Primary Care Clinic will expand access to regular, high-quality health care for people in the region in a meaningful way,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “We are committed to bettering health-care services for people in B.C., and I am gratified to see Dr. Rogers and Dr. O’Connell join the Port McNeill community and be a part of the ongoing efforts to bring more physicians to communities across our province.”
The two physicians are relocating to Port McNeill through the Return of Service Program, which commits physicians to a minimum of two years of service in exchange for their two years of postgraduate medical education.
“Adding two new physicians will make a tremendous difference in the level of health care that people in the North Island region receive and allow more people to have access to a family physician,” said Michele Babchuk, MLA for North Island. “This is such fantastic news for people in our communities.”
“We purposely chose to move to Port McNeill with our families to start practicing as new physicians,” said Dr. O’Connell. “We know we work well together and we’ll be able to support each other as we get comfortable working in a new community.”
“We had seven communities to choose from throughout British Columbia,” said Rogers. “I grew up in Parksville and Victoria and really enjoy outdoor recreation, so working in a rural, remote community with access to great hiking trails, the ocean, and the beautiful outdoors was important to my wife April and me.”
“Having Return of Service physicians starting at the Port McNeill Primary Care/ A’ekaḵila’as clinic means we will have the added benefit of the most up to date trained physicians who will be bringing innovative care models to the area,” said Lori Vesper, Island Health Senior Manager for Mount Waddington Integrated Services. “Health care is in a dynamic flux at times but what is apparent is the ongoing commitment to healthcare excellence that this multidisciplinary care team provides to the area. I am so grateful for this incredible team!”
For Dr. Noah O’Connell, who has lived in a number of remote communities across British Columbia while working with the BC Wildfire Service before pursuing medicine, working and living in a small town is where he feels at home. “I grew up in Metchosin and like the feel of a smaller community, as well as the camaraderie that comes with working in a team environment. It was important that I find a community where I could practice both family and emergency medicine, so I think that living and working in Port McNeill will be a good long-term fit for me.”
Both Rogers and O’Connell are looking forward to exploring the North Island. Rogers played varsity football with the University of Alberta Golden Bears while he pursued his kinesiology degree, and O’Connell rowed for the University of Washington Huskies while earning his biochemistry degree. Rogers shared, “Although I’m no longer playing varsity football I am still very active. I have hiked the North Coast Trail and look forward to exploring the north part of the island.” O’Connell added, “I loved exploring Cape Scott and am looking forward to more outdoor recreation and getting out on the water.”
The clinic’s coordinator, Jodi Wright, is excited to see the physician numbers return to what they once were. “It has been difficult to watch our community struggle with the challenges of a constantly changing health care environment. Having Dr. O’Connell and Dr. Rogers join Dr. Toweir at our primary care clinic will allow our patients to access regular, timely, high quality care, leading to better health outcomes for our community.
All three physicians are accepting new patients and appointments are currently available for the new physicians. Patients looking for a family doctor can call the Port McNeill PCC at 250-956-6830 to make an appointment, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. O’Connell and Dr. Rogers to our community!
About Island Health:
Island Health provides health care and support services to more than 860,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and mainland communities north of Powell River. With more than 27,000 staff and over 2,900 physician partners, 1,000 volunteers, and the dedicated support of foundations and auxiliaries, Island Health delivers a broad range of health services, including: public health services, primary health care, home and community care, mental health and addictions services, acute care in hospitals, and much more across a huge, geographically diverse region.
Central/North Island media inquiries:
Dominic Abassi
250-755-7966
Dominic.Abassi@islandhealth.ca
Cowichan/South Island media inquiries:
Andrew Leyne
250-370-8908
Andrew.Leyne@islandhealth.ca