Alliston Family Health Team, the Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee and Stevenson Memorial Hospital are very pleased to announce that Dr. France Palao has been recruited to the community as a family physician.

Dr. Palao was a physician in the Philippines and completed a two-year family medicine residency at the University of Western Ontario. She has a special interest in women's health, care of the elderly and diabetes.

"We're delighted to have Dr. Palao join our team," said Dr. Theo Fischbacher, lead physician of the Alliston Family Heath Team. "When Dr. Palao provided us with locum services this summer, the entire staff felt she would be a great asset to the clinic and we're glad she chose to join us."

Remi Welch, Chair of the Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee said that Dr. Palao's arrival was welcome news for the entire community.

"As an underserviced community, with 15,000 residents needing a family doctor, we celebrate the arrival of each new physician. So on behalf of the PRRC and our entire community, I welcome Dr. Palao." said Welch.

"I am happy to be joining the practice in New Tecumseth and will work with the team to serve the community's health care needs," said Dr. Palao.

Stevenson Memorial Hospital will also benefit from Dr. Palao's skills, as she provides care for patients admitted to the medical surgical unit.

"Having Dr. Palao here to take care of her patients, helps us in our goal to provide compassionate, skilled and timely care to our community," said Gary Ryan, President and CEO of the hospital. "We know she will be welcomed by our staff, physicians and volunteers and we wish her all the best."