Two new doctors have joined Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA).
CKHA said Dr. Kinza Ijaz has joined the Department of Internal Medicine and Dr. Adaora Obi has joined the Psychiatry Department.
“We extend a warm welcome to Dr. Ijaz and Dr. Obi, both valuable additions to our clinical team and the Chatham-Kent community. Their expertise enhances CKHA’s commitment to delivering patient and family-centered care,” said CKHA's Acting Chief of Staff Dr. Zeke Milkovic.
Dr. Ijaz completed her Bachelor of Science in Medical Radiation Therapy at Laurentian University in 2014 before earning her Doctor of Medicine from University of Medical and Health Sciences in St. Kitts. In 2022, she completed her residency training in Internal Medicine at Wayne State University in Michigan.
“I’m excited to join CKHA to provide comprehensive acute care to our community, while making a meaningful difference in our patient’s lives,” said Dr. Ijaz. “I look forward to working alongside CKHA’s dedicated team of healthcare professionals in a dynamic environment.”
Dr. Obi got her medical school degree in Ghana before completing Core Psychiatry Training in Manchester, United Kingdom and higher training in General Adult Psychiatry in Scotland. In February 2020, Dr. Obi became a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
“I am warmed by how welcoming the team at CKHA have been, going above and beyond in ensuring a smooth stress-free transition for myself and my family and that we feel valued and appreciated. I look forward to joining the team and contributing to the delivery of mental health services across Chatham-Kent,” said Dr. Obi.
Dr. Obi's office is located at 240 Grand Avenue in Chatham and the intake team can be reached without a referral at 519-351-6144 ext. 5051.
CKHA's Director of Medical Affairs and Medical Recruitment Brian Vandooren told CK News Today that while CKHA recruited specialists provide services within the hospital, many also provide clinical services in the community within their specialties, such as surgeons, psychiatrists, pediatricians, gastroenterologists, and other specialties.
Vandooren said it’s not part of CKHA’s mandate to recruit family physicians, although they try to help by participating in the C-K Family Physician Recruitment and Retention Task Force.
"Every time we do a media release, I get a few phone calls from members of the public asking if the new physicians can take them on as patients. I honestly don’t mind though; it’s an opportunity to try and connect them to available resources," said Vandooren. "I’ve found that people reading about new specialists coming to town can spur them on to seek timely and appropriate care when they might not otherwise have done so. For example, reading about a new Psychiatrist might encourage someone to proactively reach out about their mental health."
He noted many CK citizens who don’t have family physicians have to seek care from virtual clinics, and the doctor on the other end of the line is often based in Toronto and doesn’t have a clear idea of the specialist options that patients can be referred to in Chatham.
"If the patient knows the name and number of a specialist in town, it really helps to facilitate this process. That is one of the major benefits of making these announcements," he said.