Good news for the north came from the province Friday as the Ministry of Health announced significant changes to the Physician Recruitment incentives for the north. Communities designated as being under serviced are assigned a Rurality Index score and a financial incentive for GP’s based on a scale. Dryden has been allocated $112,000 for a four year return of service bonus for a Family Physician interested in starting a practice in Dryden. Visit http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/uap/uap_prov_consultations.html and  click on the link “list of communities and their grants” to see the financial details across the spectrum of UAP communities. We applaud the provincial strategy and are encouraged as we move forward with recruitment efforts.

On the physician retention side of the coin the Dryden Regional Health Services Foundation hosted the annual Physician Apprecation Day with all of our local physicians in attendance save for two (Dr. Cortens is in Korea and Dr. Gagnon had a family commitment). Perfect weather conditions made the day on the lake most enjoyable for the ice fishing and aerial tours provided by two local pilots from the Dryden Flying Club (http://www.dryden.on.phonepages.ca/Dryden%20Flying%20Club-tEditorReviews).

Dr. Viherjoki was king of the lake bringing in a pair of fish while children explored the paths through the property and family pets chased about the lake enjoying some unbridaled freedom. A catered meal, appreciation gifts and some fun on the Wii rounded out the evening. Thanks to all the volunteers on the recruitment and retention committee for helping make the day a success.

Playoff hockey season is now upon us and congratulations go out to the Dryden High School Girls Hockey Team; they are off to the Provincial Championship as representatives of the north after beating Kenora in 2 straight games this weekend. The girls go into the OFSAA playoffs ranked third overall and look to make the Final Four for the second time in four years. The DHS Girls Volleyball Team also is off to the Provincial Playoffs as the third ranked team in the province in what is becoming an annual tradition. The local volleyball programs continually produce high calibre high school and rep teams that place players at the post secondary level in both Canada and US university programs.

And the Dryden Paperkings are ranked fourth in Canada (http://myhockeyrankings.com/view_2009_rank.php?g=5&a=p&v=144) as they continue to rack up wins in tourmanents in Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and the Northern US. Congrats to the local athletes that represent the community so well.

That’s all our news from the weekend; good luck to all the residents as they find out how their residency matches go.

ttyl,

c