The Timmins and District Hospital emergency room doctors who are champions of dealing with the opioid crisis have been recognized by their peers for it.
Drs. Louisa Marion-Bellemare and Julie Samson picked up an achievement award from the Ontario College of Family Physicians last week.
Incoming president Dr. Mekalai Kumanan says she’s impressed by Bellemare and Samson’s innovative approach to dealing with people with addictions.
“Really, it was their extraordinary leadership, their collaborative efforts, their advocacy that ultimately resulted in system-level change for the patients within their community,” says Dr. Kumanan.
She adds that the work the pair of ER doctors have done already is amazing.
“They identified a gap within the system. They really worked tirelessly to improve the approach within their community and I think it absolutely could serve as a model for other communities across Ontario.”
Starting with a new approach to treating addicted people at Timmins and District Hospital, Bellemare and Samson have continued fighting for more treatment and follow-up options.