The Muskoka Almaguin Ontario Health Team (MAOHT) is
continuing to strengthen access to primary care through a coordinated regional recruitment
strategy designed to address ongoing healthcare workforce needs across Muskoka and
Almaguin.
At the centre of this collaborative approach is the MAOHT’s Health Human Resources (HHR)
Task Force, which brings together healthcare organizations, primary care providers,
municipalities and community partners to coordinate recruitment efforts and contribute expertise
and resources from across the region.
To support this work, the HHR Task Force brought on David Gravelle, a Health Human
Resources Recruiter who brings extensive recruitment expertise to the region. Gravelle works
alongside partners to identify opportunities and connect prospective physicians and nurse
practitioners with practices and communities across Muskoka and Almaguin.
Recent successes include the recruitment of three internationally trained physicians — two from
the United States and one from Australia — as well as ongoing efforts to attract locums to
support local hospitals, the Huntsville Unattached Patient Clinic and community primary care
providers. The MAOHT is also building a strong pipeline of prospective recruits who are
exploring opportunities to relocate to the region in 2027.
“Our recruitment efforts are built on relationships,” said David Gravelle, HHR Recruiter for the
MAOHT. “We connect with physicians and nurse practitioners who are interested in rural
practice, invite them to experience our communities and help them envision building a life and
career here. Seeing primary care providers choose Muskoka and Almaguin is incredibly
rewarding.”
Over the past year, activities have included recruitment events in the United States, the United
Kingdom and Ireland, targeted outreach to Canadians studying or practicing medicine abroad,
collaboration with the Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance, and provincial initiatives such as
Practice Ready Ontario.
“Improving access to primary care remains one of our region’s highest priorities,” said Dr. Keith
Cross, Co-Chair of the MAOHT Alliance Council and MAOHT Primary Care Network. “The
progress we are seeing reflects the strength of our partnerships among healthcare
organizations, municipalities and community partners. While there is more work to do, this
collaborative approach is helping strengthen primary care today while building a stronger
system for the future.”
A Shared Investment in Primary Care
The regional recruitment strategy has also benefited from the generous financial contributions of
local primary care organizations, the hospital and hospital foundations, municipalities and
townships across Muskoka and Almaguin. These partners have chosen to invest in a shared
goal – attracting more primary care providers to the region and, ultimately, improving access to
care for local residents.
Among these investments is support from the Dr. William S. Monk Community Healthcare
Development Fund, administered through the Muskoka Community Foundation, which has
helped fund international recruitment activities, participation in recruitment events and
opportunities to showcase Muskoka and Almaguin to prospective healthcare professionals.
“I am very pleased to support the MAOHT’s ongoing strategic recruitment initiatives to attract
international doctors to the Muskoka and Almaguin regions. This work requires long-term
relationship building, and it is wonderful to see results now manifesting for the benefit of local
residents,” said Kate Monk, founder of the Dr. William S. Monk Community Health Care
Development Fund.
While recruitment efforts continue, residents who do not have a primary care provider are
encouraged to register with Ontario’s Health Care Connect (HCC) program, which helps
connect eligible residents with a family doctor or nurse practitioner in their community who is
accepting new patients. Registration is available at ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or by calling
811.
Additional information about local healthcare services is available on the MAOHT Community
Resources web page at maoht.ca/community-resources.
Collaborative Primary Care Recruitment Strengthens Access to Care Across Muskoka and Almaguin
