Where Physicians Build What's Next
Build what healthcare needs next, without putting your life on hold.
Lakeridge Health is a different kind of community academic health system, one where physicians don’t just inherit models of care, they help shape them.
In one of Canada’s fastest-growing regions, our teams are solving real system challenges in real time; expanding medical education, advancing research, redesigning care delivery, and building the future of healthcare together, through partnerships with Queen’s University and a growing network of academic and system partners.
You’ll have the autonomy and continuity of community-based care, supported by the scale, subspecialty depth, and academic partnerships of a large regional system; including our work with Queen’s University and others.
Here, your work is visible. Your ideas can move. And you’ll be supported by a collaborative, grounded environment that values both professional growth and life outside the hospital.
Your First Year at Lakeridge Health
Start building from day one - with the support to do it well.
Mentorship and Integration
• Structured mentorship, including specialty-specific programs (e.g., Emergency Medicine mentorship)
• Support from experienced physicians and clinical leaders
• External coaching partnerships
• Strong, collegial team environment
Support and Feedback
- Investments in structured, supportive feedback and multi-rater review processes designed for supportive professional development
- Focus on growth, reflection, and continuous improvement
- Clear expectations aligned with professional standards and organizational values
Education and Professional Development
- Access to LHEARN programming, simulation, and continuing professional development
- Courses and leadership development through Organizational Development and external partnerships
- Opportunities in teaching, research, and innovation
Early Opportunities to Lead
- Participation in:
- quality improvement initiatives
- program and model-of-care design
- system-level projects
- research and teaching
- Early exposure to leadership and decision-making
Build across a connected system; not within silos.
Guided by our vision of One System. Best Health., we view healthcare as a connected system, not a collection of individual sites or organizations. We work in close partnership with hospitals, primary care, academic institutions, and community organizations to improve access, coordination, and outcomes across Durham Region and beyond.
We are also an organization that moves from strategy to action, including bringing new models of care and educational programs to life through strong physician and operational partnership, such as the launch of Canada's first Family Medicine MD program delivered through Queen's University in a community hospital system.
Physicians at Lakeridge Health contribute to system-level initiatives and help shape how care is delivered across the region. For physicians, this means clearer care pathways, reduced duplication, and better coordination across sites and services, supporting more efficient, connected, and high-quality care delivery.
This is a place where physicians don’t just work within the system, they help build and improve it.
Innovation and System Partnerships
Innovate where care actually happens, alongside patients, learners, and clinical teams.
At Lakeridge Health, innovation is not separate from care, it is how we improve it. Through strong academic, clinical, and system partnerships, we are advancing models of care, education, and system performance across the region.
- Innovation embedded directly into clinical practice through simulation, research, education, quality improvement, and system transformation initiatives
- Use of advanced clinical systems and data, including Epic, to improve care delivery, patient flow, and decision-making
- Collaboration with Ontario Tech University, including the PATH partnership and applied data initiatives
- Strong academic partnerships, including Queen's University and a broad network of academic collaborators supporting distributed medical education and research
- Engagement in regional and provincial system initiatives, contributing to innovation, access, and models of care
- Opportunities for physicians to contribute to innovation early in practice, including clinical, academic, and system-level initiatives
Solve real problems in real time, alongside teams who are doing the same.
- Practice across a regional, multi-site system serving a large and diverse population
- High-volume, high-acuity environments with broad scope of practice
- Opportunities to contribute to:
- patient flow and access
- perioperative redesign and surgical capacity
- operations and system performance
- Daily Management System (DMS) and continuous improvement practices
Teach, research, learn, and advance care; without stepping away from practice.
Physicians Who Changed Their Careers
“My journey into medicine began with the obstetrician who delivered me. Growing up, I often saw Dr. Henderson on the sidelines of my dad’s rugby games, and he generously offered advice about a career in medicine at a time when I knew very few people in the profession.
Like many aspiring physicians, I initially planned to study Health Sciences. However, after attending a nursing information session with a friend, I realized there were many rewarding paths into healthcare. Nursing appealed to me because it combined science with hands-on patient care from the very beginning, and it allowed me to build meaningful relationships with patients while gaining valuable clinical experience.
fter graduating, I worked in the Emergency Department at Scarborough Centenary Hospital before moving to Australia. There, I spent time working in a remote community, an experience that challenged me to develop greater autonomy and confidence in clinical decision-making.
Those experiences ultimately strengthened my desire to pursue medicine. Returning to Canada to attend McMaster Medical School was a dream come true. During a family medicine elective in Newcastle, I met Dr. Kassirer, who demonstrated the breadth of full-scope family medicine, including obstetrics - a passion of mine that has remained throughout my career.
Today, I’m fortunate to have shared office space with Dr. Kassirer and other wonderful colleagues for more than a decade and to have delivered hundreds of babies at Lakeridge Health. Coming full circle—from being born in this community to caring for families here - is incredibly meaningful.
I’m grateful to Lakeridge Health for the opportunity to share my story and to highlight that there are many pathways into medicine. My nursing background provided invaluable experience and perspective that continue to shape the physician I am today.”
- Dr. Kate Newton
MD CCFP BScN
“At Lakeridge Health, physicians can use their unique career journeys to build a rich practice that leverages their strengths from diverse pre-medicine experiences.
When graduated my undergraduate degree in Immunology at the University of Toronto, I, naïvely, thought I was going to eventually “cure cancer” and pursued an academic career and PhD studying ovarian cancer stem cells in a research lab at the University of Toronto. Upon realizing the limitations of the system to accomplish this goal, I decided to change career trajectory and apply to medical school, which I completed at Queen’s University. In medical school, I leveraged my love for “all of the things”, including women’s health, care of the elderly and palliative care, to establish career in Family Medicine. At Lakeridge Health, I was able to find my place of belonging with a comprehensive practice in family medicine and palliative care.
Then, just when I thought my academic career had ended, Queen’s University partnered with Lakeridge Health to start a unique 6-year medical school program with guaranteed residency in Family medicine. Through my connections at Queen’s University, I was approached to be involved in the delivery of the first-year biostatistics course, allowing the skills developed during my graduate degree to be put to good use. I have been able to supervise student research projects and help to engage them in the process of research. Since, I have taken on a leadership role overseeing clerkship for students at our local Queen’s-Lakeridge Medical school.
Through this varied practice at Lakeridge Health, I am given the great privilege of caring for patients, while teaching the next generation of comprehensive Family Doctors."
- Dr. Jocelyn Stewart, MD, PhD, CCFP
Department of Family Medicine, Lakeridge Health
Palliative Care co-lead, Lakeridge Health Bowmanville
Year 3/4 Director, Queens-Lakeridge Family Medicine Program, Queens University School of Medicine
LHEARN – Education, Simulation, and Innovation
Turn learning into action; through simulation, education, and real-world application.
- Through the Lakeridge Health Education and Research Network (LHEARN), physicians have access to a unique platform for learning, teaching, and innovation.
- Four high-fidelity simulation labs supporting physician and interprofessional training
- Low-fidelity simulation equipment available across sites to support mobile, point-of-care education and training
- Dedicated simulation expertise supporting physician and interprofessional learning initiatives
- Continuing education opportunities:
- ACLS: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
- PALS: Pediatric Advances Life Support
- NRP: Neonatal Resuscitation Program
- FHS: Fetal Health Surveillance
- CCRT: Critical Care Response Team
- TNCC: Trauma Nursing Core Course
- PFCCS: Fundamental Critical Care Support: Pediatrics
- FCCS-OB: Fundamental Critical Care Support: Obstetrics (coming soon)
- Continuing professional development opportunities:
- Geriatric Care Day Conference; Research Innovation Rounds; Palliative Care Conference; Pathways to Care (engaging high school students); and many more!
- Key partnerships that support advancements in simulation, education and research
- Health Sciences Library and Point of Care Tools
Education, Research & Academic Partnerships
- Strong partnership with Queen's University and dozens of academic partners
- Home of the Satellite Campus of Queen’s University for the Canada-first MDFM Program
- Home of the Queen’s – Bowmanville – Oshawa – Lakeridge (QBOL) Residency Program
- PATH Partnership with Ontario Tech University
- Embedded research program providing coordinated support for feasibility, study start-up, ethics, and regulatory processes, with full-service support for sponsored trials and tailored consultation for unfunded or investigator-initiated research
- Broad and representative patient population supporting real-world, community-based research
- Opportunities to lead and collaborate on clinically relevant research
Build Research
“At Lakeridge Health, physicians have the opportunity to build and lead work that can shape care far beyond our organization.
As Research Lead for Critical Care, I’ve had the opportunity to help grow a rapidly expanding research program that now participates in both national and international clinical trials. Most notably, we are leading the BLUSH Trial - the first Health Canada-approved investigator-led randomized critical care trial launched from a Canadian community hospital site.
This work reflects what is possible when physicians are supported to pursue research, innovation, education, and leadership in an environment that is collaborative, agile, and academically connected through our academic partnerships.
Lakeridge Health offers something unique: the ability to contribute meaningfully to patient care while also helping build programs, advance research, teach the next generation, and influence the future of healthcare delivery in one of Canada’s fastest-growing regions.”
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- Dr. Shannon Fernando Critical Care Physician, Research Lead, and Medical Director, Trauma Program |
Deep Community Connection: Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity in Practice
Belong to a system that is intentionally designed to include, support, and evolve.
At Lakeridge Health, we are committed to creating an environment where physicians, learners, and team members feel they belong, are respected, and are able to contribute fully.
Through our I Belong approach and broader IDEAA commitments (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism), we are embedding equity into how we care, lead, and work together.
Lakeridge Health has embedded health equity and population health into medical leadership, care delivery, and organizational strategy, with a dedicated Chief and Medical Director role integrating these priorities into clinical care, leadership, and system planning.
- Equity integrated into practice, reflected in clinical care, education, and organizational decision-making
- A restorative, principles-based approach to workplace concerns, supporting fairness, accountability, and psychological safety
- Care delivered within one of Ontario’s fastest-growing and most diverse regions, shaping how we design and deliver services
- Active external partnerships supporting research, mentorship, and community connection (e.g., Black Health Equity Lab, University of Toronto Scarborough; Ladder 2 Rise, Black Physicians Association of Ontario)
- Opportunities for physicians to contribute beyond clinical care, including equity-informed practice, mentorship, and system change
- Community-connected initiatives and system-building efforts, including Pathways to Care, the Women’s Health Symposium, and the Women’s Health Collective, expanding access, strengthening partnerships, and advancing equity across Durham Region
Responding to Community Need Through Partnership and Innovation
Through collaborative initiatives such as our partnership with Grandview Kids and the development of the Grandview Anesthesia Procedure (GAP) Clinic, physicians are helping redesign how care is delivered by bringing specialized services closer to home in environments intentionally designed around children, youth, and families.
These partnerships demonstrate how clinicians, patients, families, and system partners can work together to create more connected, inclusive, and accessible care experiences.
Pictured: Sandra Stewart, Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff Office, with her son.
Community Rooted Physicians
“Working in Durham Region was an easy decision for me. I was born in the hospital, raised in the community, and drawn to Lakeridge Health due to the strong reputation of its Infectious Diseases team and Antimicrobial Stewardship program. I enjoy the challenge of working at a busy community hospital network and contributing to our efforts to prevent and manage infections in a diverse and growing community.”
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- Dr. Brad Wiggers Lead, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Infectious Diseases |
A Culture That Supports You
How you are supported at work matters, and we design for it. At Lakeridge Health, we are intentionally building a culture grounded in respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
A culture where contributions are recognized and valued, supported through initiatives such as Circle of Gratitude, Values in Action Awards, Excellence in Education Awards, This is Lakeridge Health Gala, and other peer and organizational recognition programs.
Leadership and Team Development
Lead early, and keep growing as a physician and a system contributor.
- Strategic partnership with the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL)and an integrated leadership development framework, grounded in LEADS in a Caring Environment and delivered collaboratively through Organizational Development, IDEAA, and Medical Affairs
- Access to nationally recognized leadership development opportunities, including CCHL programs and pathways toward the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation
- Structured physician leadership pathways, supporting development from emerging to senior medical leaders, including 360° feedback, individualized development planning, coaching, mentorship, and courses
- Comprehensive Learning and Leadership Development Calendar, offering practical, skills-based learning in leadership, communication, wellness, and team effectiveness, tailored to the physician context
- Leadership and team effectiveness supports, including facilitation, coaching, and team development to strengthen collaboration, engagement, and performance within clinical teams
- A dyad leadership model, where medical and operational leaders work in shared accountability for care delivery, quality, and system performance, from the program level through to the Chief of Staff and CEO, ensuring physicians are meaningfully engaged in decision-making at all levels of the organization
Medical Staff Association (MSA)
Have a voice, and use it to shape how care is delivered. At Lakeridge Health, our Medical Staff Association (MSA) is an active and engaged partner in shaping the physician experience.
The MSA represents the collective voice of our credentialed staff and works closely with medical leadership and hospital administration to support high-quality care, professional practice, and physician well-being. Through the MSA, physicians have meaningful opportunities to:
- Influence decisions impacting clinical practice, resources, and policies
- Engage in leadership and governance, including participation at Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) and organizational forums
- Build community and connection across departments, sites, and career stages
- Access peer support and advocacy, ensuring physician perspectives are heard and respected
Our MSA is committed to fostering a collegial, inclusive, and supportive environment, where physicians are not only represented, but actively involved in shaping the future of care at Lakeridge Health.
President, Medical Staff Association
“Growing up just outside Durham Region, this area has always felt like home to me. When I joined Lakeridge Health in 2018 to build the gynecologic oncology program, I discovered something I hadn’t anticipated - colleagues who were friends from earlier chapters of my life. That sense of continuity made the work feel personal from the start. Lakeridge Health is a place that grows alongside the community it serves, and I’m proud to be part of both.
As part of the Medical Staff Association, my hope is that every physician who comes to Lakeridge Health finds that same sense of belonging - and knows there is a community here ready to support them.”
- Dr. Julie Ann Francis
Gynecologic Oncologist, Division Head, Gynecologic Oncology, and President, MSA
A Restorative and Respectful Workplace
- Renewed team member complaints process grounded in restorative principles
- Focus on early resolution, learning, fairness, and psychological safety
- Commitment to addressing concerns in a way that supports both individuals and teams
Live and Work in Durham Region
Build your life alongside your career.
- Choice in how you live: from walkable, growing urban centres to quieter communities with space, nature, and a slower pace
- Connected to Toronto, with the benefit of more attainable housing and less congestion
- Immediate access to the outdoors: Lake Ontario waterfront, trails, conservation areas, and year-round recreation
- Communities designed for real life: family-friendly, welcoming, and increasingly diverse
- A region on the rise: expanding population, evolving neighbourhoods, and a growing mix of local food, arts, and cultural experiences
- Strong and diverse education options for families, including public, separate, French-language, and private schools across Durham Region
- Flexible commuting options to suit different lifestyles, with some physicians choosing to live in Toronto and commute east against peak traffic
At Lakeridge Health, You Will Build, Grow, and Belong
- The best of both worlds: a community-based practice environment with the depth, resources, and subspecialty support of a regional academic health system
- Build confidence early through high-volume, diverse clinical experience
- Work across a multi-site system, including urban and community environments
- Develop as a physician and a leader, with early exposure to quality improvement, education, and system initiatives
- Maintain your academic identity through teaching, research, and partnerships
- Learn in a supportive, team-based environment where mentorship and growth are prioritized
- Make a meaningful impact on patient care and system transformation
"At Lakeridge Health, as a clinician and an administrator, it is a privilege to serve the people of the Durham region.
At Lakeridge Health, I have been able to bring the international medical graduate journey of determination, staying focused, understanding the intricacies of multiple systems and resilience into action.
Thank you Lakeridge Health! I belong!"
- Dr. Nadia Ismiil
Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief, Academic Affairs, Research & LHEARN
Benefits and Perks
- Team member programs, professional supports, and organizational wellness initiatives
- Team member programs and discounts
- Supports for professional and personal well-being
Wellness and Support
Be supported, personally and professionally.
- Access to wellness resources, including Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP)
- Team-based supports such as Code Lavender, Peer Support
- Commitment to supporting team member well-being
- Mental health and well-being training opportunities, resources, and workshops to support resilience, self-care, and psychological wellness
Build. Belong. Live. Start with a Conversation.
“As Director of Medical Affairs, Education, and LHEARN, I have both the honour and responsibility of supporting physicians throughout their journey at Lakeridge Health, from recruitment and onboarding to leadership development, teaching, research, and career growth.
Lakeridge Health has been part of my story from the very beginning. My siblings and I were born at this hospital, my mother enjoyed a 20+ year career here, I had soccer practice on the Oshawa campus weekly for over a decade, and today I am proud to live and raise my family in Durham Region, after many adventures across Canada and abroad.
I know that choosing where to practice is about more than a job. It's about finding a place where you can build a meaningful career, enjoy connecting with colleagues, contribute to your community, and create a life outside of work.
One of the things I love most about my role is working alongside physicians. From supporting teams with Médecins Sans Frontières to helping physicians build their careers here at Lakeridge Health, I have seen firsthand the impact that engaged, supported physicians can have on patients, learners, organizations, and communities.
Whether you're interested in clinical practice, education, research, leadership opportunities, or simply learning more about what life is like in Durham Region, I'd love to meet you and help you explore what is possible at Lakeridge Health.”
- Kathleen Power Corey, Director, Medical Affairs, Education, and LHEARN, Durham Region Resident
Contact Us
Lakeridge Health
905-576-8711