Ripley boy returns home to open medical practice in Kincardine

Another new doctor is coming to Kincardine, but he is not new to the area.

Dr. Jason Murray has signed up to join the physicians at the Hawthorne Community Clinic in Kincardine, this fall. Council approved the agreement, following a closed session at the meeting Wednesday night (June 8).

The son of Paul and Carrie Murray grew up on a farm just outside of Ripley and is excited to be returning home and starting his practice with the Kincardine Physicians Group, as of October, states a press release, issued June 9 by chief administrative officer Murray Clarke.

Murray attended medical school at the University of Western Ontario in London and is in the process of completing his family medicine residency at Queen’s University in Kingston. He did rotations in Kincardine, while in medical school and in residency, and enjoyed his experience, learning a lot from working with the physicians. He knows he will be well-supported in this collegial environment and looks forward to starting his new practice in the fall.

The Kincardine Physicians Group welcomes Murray as its newest member and looks forward to working with him, noting that his addition to the team continues the efforts to establish a solid base of capable, young and committed medical practitioners who will provide for the new community’s medical needs into the future. The doctors group also appreciates the support of the municipality and Bruce Power in the field of physician recruitment.

Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie said she is thrilled to hear of another new doctor coming to Kincardine.

Murray is the fourth new recruit. Dr. Daniel Soong arrives in July to work for several months in the emergency room and then establish his practice; Dr. Damian Gunaratne opens his practice in August; and Dr. Anna Czyrny arrives in September to work full-time in the emergency room. Last year, Kincardine lost three doctors and the general surgeon.

The Kincardine medical clinic also has three nurse practitioners:Julia Higgins, Melissa Wright and Hailey Walsh.

"On behalf of Kincardine council and our residents, I wish to thank all those involved in our recruitment process for their hard work," said Eadie. "I would also like to thank the Kincardine physicians and other staff at the medical clinic for making various accommodations to meet the health needs of our residents during the current recruitment process.”

The recruitment of Murray was made possible by the Kincardine physician recruitment program which is supported by a partnership that includes Bruce Power and the Town of Saugeen Shores.