Join the Department of Family and Community Medicine

Become part of a growing network of Primary Care Providers working together to build a more connected healthcare system for Durham Region. Register here.

Why Join?

  • Improved communication with hospital programs and services
  • Opportunities to provide feedback on referrals, workflows, and care transitions
  • Better coordination for shared patients across care settings

  • Group purchasing opportunities for medical and office supplies
  • Discounts and collaborative procurement opportunities for software and EMRs
  • Technology support and shared practice resources
  • Regular updates, accredited education opportunities, and regional information

  • Peer-to-peer collaboration and collegial support
  • Secure communication tools, including custom email domain options
  • Opportunities to participate in working groups and system initiatives

DFCM members play an important role in advancing integrated, team-based care across Durham Region through collaboration with Durham Ontario Health Team and Lakeridge Health.

The DFCM is proud to partner with the Queen’s Family Medicine Program at Lakeridge Health to help train the next generation of family physicians.

As a DFCM member, you may have opportunities to:

  • Serve as a clinical preceptor or mentor
  • Support community-based medical education
  • Contribute to training future physicians in Durham Region
  • Engage in meaningful academic and leadership opportunities

For many physicians, teaching also brings renewed professional satisfaction, stronger collegial connections, and opportunities to help shape the future of Primary Care close to home.

Current DFCM priorities include:

  • Expanding Ocean eReferral integration for specialty services
  • Improving communication between Primary Care and hospital teams
  • Developing practical education resources for PCPs
  • Supporting the growth of Primary Care Teaching Clinics
  • Enhancing attachment strategies for unattached patients
  • Strengthening interdisciplinary and team-based care models
  • Building stronger feedback channels between PCPs and the health system

Opportunities

The Durham Region is one of Ontario’s fastest-growing areas, home to over 750,000 residents and located just 30 minutes east of Toronto. It offers a dynamic blend of urban, suburban, and rural settings, providing an ideal environment for both work and play. With vibrant cultural scenes, including live music venues, art and history museums, and diverse dining options from around the world, the region has something for everyone. Residents enjoy year-round outdoor activities such as scenic nature trails, apple orchards, farmers' markets, and even downhill skiing.

Durham Region is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and is home to many First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Urban Indigenous peoples. This diverse and thriving community is a wonderful place to live, offering a balance between professional fulfillment and personal enjoyment.

For primary care providers, Durham offers an unmatched opportunity to grow your career while making a meaningful impact on a rapidly expanding community. Whether you’re looking for a new professional challenge or a welcoming place to call home, Durham Region is the perfect fit.

Join us and make a difference!
Ready to make a difference in Durham Region? Contact us today to learn how you can join our growing team of family physicians. Together, we’re shaping the future of primary care. To learn more, visit Docs for Durham - Durham Physician Engagement Team.

  • Physician
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Physician Assistant
  • Nurse
  • Allied Health
  • Administrative
  • Other

The Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) partners closely with the innovative Queen’s Family Medicine Program to shape the next generation of family physicians. As a preceptor, you’ll have the rewarding opportunity to mentor medical students who have already chosen family medicine as their specialty. This unique program, the first of its kind in Canada, allows students to fully immerse themselves in the field of family medicine from the start, tailoring their education to the nuances and diverse aspects of the profession.

By working directly with these students in real-world primary care and community settings, preceptors help them gain hands-on experience and prepare for practice with confidence. Precepting with the Queen’s Family Medicine Program offers the chance to make a meaningful contribution to the future of healthcare, while enriching your own professional growth through teaching and mentorship.

Click here for open preceptor opportunities.

Contact Us

Lakeridge Health
905-576-8711