Kirkland Lake, ON (September 27, 2023) – Access to care is opening up for patients in Kirkland Lake, Englehart and surrounding areas, announced Jorge VanSlyke, President and CEO, Blanche River Health. 

Dr. Amy Pawson, who was born and raised in Englehart, reported for her first shift today at the Emergency Department (ED) at the Kirkland Lake site of Blanche River Health. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Pawson to the Blanche River Health family,” said VanSlyke. “Our communities have long faced the Ontario-wide physician shortage, and her addition to our team of physicians is wonderful news for local patients.”

Dr. Pawson will care for patients at both the Englehart and Kirkland Lake sites of Blanche River Health, as well as the Kirkland and District Family Health Team. 

“Throughout my studies, I have looked forward to returning to my hometown of Kirkland Lake to help address the impacts the physician shortage has had in our area,” said Dr. Pawson, who attended the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, followed by a residency at hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario.

“I look forward to getting to know my new patients and making a positive impact on their health care journeys,” she added.    

Dr. Mark Spiller, Chief of Staff at Blanche River Health, welcomed Dr. Pawson to Blanche River Health this morning.

“I am grateful Dr. Pawson was drawn back to serve her home community, and I wish her a career as rewarding as mine has been since I moved here from Toronto 33 years ago,” he said.

Blanche River Health is a 74-bed hospital corporation with two sites serving the North Eastern Ontario communities of Englehart (26 beds) and Kirkland Lake (48 beds) as well as residents in surrounding areas.