The City of Castlegar along with Areas I and J respectively, have joined the ranks of communities such as Creston in order to combat their local doctor shortage.
With matched funding from both parties, they announced the hiring of Cheryl Gnyp as physician recruiter for Castlegar and area.
“The position is the result of over a year of meetings and information gathering of dedicated community members, politicians, and physicians who were committed to making this work,” said Dr. Ellen Smart, coordinating physician on the working committee.
“If it wasn’t for local people wanting to make this work, none of this would have been possible,” said Smart, who wants to genuinely thank all of those who came out to the initial meeting.
From concerned citizens to local businesses to the Chamber of Commerce, all hands were on deck from the moment a need for something to be done was recognized.
In her current role as recruiter for two other local companies, Gnyp has recruited everything from engineers to machinists to the area, and with a background in marketing will be able to send an accurate and effective message in order to attract physicians to the area.
“We are pleased with the level of experience and expertise Cheryl brings to the position”, said John Malcolm, city administrator for the City of Castlegar.
“Her unique combination of both recruitment and marketing, along with help from a dedicated team of doctors, will create the results we need on the road to ensuring every community member has a physician.”
Combining forces, a working committee comprised of physicians, the city, areas I and J, and the physician recruiter will work together to bring family physicians to the area in the coming year.
Gnyp will also act as the conduit between current physicians, politicians, the community, and new recruits.