The Physician Recruitment Taskforce of Sarnia Lambton isn't discouraged that Sarnia's new city council turned down its four-year funding request this week.
Physician recruiter Carly Cox said the longer term commitment was needed to establish a family medicine residency program and operate a self-sufficient recruitment program.
Council granted the task force $72,000 for one year.
Cox said she'll work hard to prove their worth this year.
"I'm very grateful to council that they made the decision to support us this year," said Cox. "We have continued to prove that we are using their grant monies effectively. So, I hope to be able to go back to them next year and be able to announce more family physicians that have came to this community and show them how their assistance -- with this grant -- really does affect the community."
Cox said she has already recruited two new family physicians to start practicing early this spring.
In December, Dr. John O'Mahony told council that Sarnia-Lambton had 18 family physicians over the age of 60, and most wanted to retire in the next three years, which would leave 35,000 patients in need of a doctor.
The task force still hopes to work with Bluewater Health to develop a residency program.
