St. Lawrence Medical Clinic Group welcomes new doctor

 

Dr. Paul Simoncic joined the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic Group this month.

The McGill educated doctor will work out of the Morrisburg office three days a week, the Ingleside office two days a week and has a regular rotation at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital.

Simoncic, who has lived his whole life in Toronto and then Montreal, was looking to come back to Ontario to practise family medicine. He said that he is a little older than most new doctors because he first completed his Ph.D. at McGill in Biochemistry and Immunology, and worked in the research field for a couple of years before going to medical school. 

It was during his time in research that he worked with a rheumatologist who sparked Simoncic’s interest in medicine. So, he decided to go back to McGill for medical school. 

Simoncic did a couple of rotations at Montreal hospitals, which he enjoyed. But, what he enjoyed most was his time at a small rural hospital, Cotes des Neiges, in Quebec. 

“I wanted to come back to Ontario and I wanted to work in a smaller community,” said Simoncic. “I really like the large variety of patients you get to see in a small community,” he said explaining that as a doctor here you see patients in the clinic, in the hospital and in long term care facilities.

“You really get to build relationships with your patients as you follow them through the years,” said Simoncic. “When we talk about continuity of care, this is it.”

“I really like that we are so close to major centres like Ottawa here,” said Simoncic. “That’s really good for referrals.”

When Simoncic started looking for a practice to join he met with Doctors Coolican and Domanko and learned about the SLMC and the communities it serves through them. He visited several places but decided on the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic. His first visit here was in February and this month the joined the SLMC group.

“This place had all the characteristics I was looking for,” said Simoncic. “I really like that it’s on the river, has such a relaxed lifestyle, offers all kinds of unique and outdoor activities and is close to all the major centres.” He plans to move into the area once he is settled into the practice.

Of the SLMC Group, Simoncic says that all the other doctors have been very supportive and welcoming. “It’s great as a new doctor to be part of a group. There’s always advice available close by to ensure that patients receive the best care possible in a timely manner.”

Simoncic. who is 38 years old, has a great interest in emergency at the hospital, and said that the Winchester District Memorial Hospital is beautiful and provides a great environment with wonderful personalized care that results in a great level of patient satisfaction. 

Simoncic is accepting new patients.

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