Dr. Sanjana Sridharan (left) and Dr. Mutiat Sulyman (right) presenting at the Welcome Collaborative

This year, physicians across the province have stepped forward to improve access to care for thousands of Nova Scotians. They did so as highly trained assessors, overseeing physicians trained outside of Canada at two clinics operated by the Physician Assessment Centre of Excellence (PACE).

Currently, there are 20 primary care physicians who are assessors at PACE and are tasked with determining the scope of competence of physicians seeking licensure. PACE’s two clinics have become the health home for over 2,000 Nova Scotians and physician assessors are ensuring quality care is being received by all.

PACE has also launched a hospitalist program at Dartmouth Hospital with six physicians taking on the role of assessors. A second hospitalist program will open at the Truro hospital in January of next year.

Physicians are also playing a key role in the Welcome Collaborative, a unique program that supports the successful integration of internationally trained physicians into our health-care system. Over a dozen physicians have led sessions on billing, patient communication, and prescribing as part of this four-day orientation program.

Our sincere gratitude is extended to all physicians who have stepped up to lead the way in assessing physicians for licensure and welcoming physicians into practice in communities across our province.