Bluewater Health has established a new specialized geriatric service.
The hospital has recruited Sarnia native Dr. Amanda Giffin, an internist specializing in geriatric medicine, as well as a nurse practitioner for the new program.
Inpatient and outpatient support will be offered in Sarnia-Lambton where 21.6 per cent of the population is aged 65 and over.
Chief of Staff Dr. Mike Haddad said Dr. Giffin just completed her training at Western University and the University of Calgary.
"Dr. Giffin has expertise in the normal aging process and understands how much of the patient’s problem is related to normal aging as opposed to disease conditions or the side effects of drugs used to treat diseases,” said Haddad. “Aging is a complex process that affects the whole body, physically, mentally and emotionally. Care of the elderly requires special expertise and a multidisciplinary approach to optimize function, enhance quality of life, promote independence, and reduce morbidity during the aging process. We have been working on recruiting and establishing this program for the past two years."
Dr. Haddad said Bluewater Health has applied for health ministry funding for the new geriatrician position.
Bluewater Health recruits nine new physicians (July 2020-Submitted photo)
Dr. Giffin is one of nine new physicians joining the hospital's professional staff.
Others coming on board specialize in neurology, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedic surgery, and radiology.
Bluewater Health has also recruited four new emergency physicians to address an unexpected shortage that occurred last fall.
Further information about the new physicians can be found here.
