The newest doctor to the Saugeen Shores and Saugeen First Nation areas is hard at work.
Doctor Tara Somerville grew up in Kitchener – spent many summers in Saugeen Shores and has just moved with her family from Calgary to the area.
She tells Bayshore Broadcasting News – she and her husband decided to move here to raise their children in a smaller community and because they loved their summers spent here.
Dr. Somerville is working exclusively at the medical clinic at Saugeen First Nation now through February; which has been without a doctor since 2007.
Starting in February she will start working out of the Doctor Earl Health Centre in Port Elgin as well — splitting her time between the two locations.
Dr. Somerville is taking First Nation patients ONLY for now and then will take new patients when she starts in Port Elgin.
Those in Port Elgin however will first be taken from a current existing list of residents without a doctor.
Dr. Somerville moved to the area with her husband and two kids, aged 2 and 7 months and started practising December 1st.
She’ll also be filling in at in the emergency room at the Saugeen Memorial Hospital in Southampton from time to time.