Health minister, doctor who spent $700K attracting MDs discuss recruitment
A Winnipeg doctor who put up $700,000 of her own savings to woo doctors here from the United Kingdom is feeling positive after meeting with the province’s health minister.
Dr. Shadi Rezazadeh’s Wednesday-evening meeting with Uzoma Asagwara came after a Free Press story last week detailing how she was able to attract 10 physicians to work in her two city clinics by spending $70,000 on each for cash incentives, airfare to Winnipeg for them and their families and other costs to get them settled.
Rezazadeh owns Trucare Medical clinic on McPhillips Street and recently took over Rivergrove Medical Clinic on north Main Street from the previous owner, which she is reopening after it closed briefly in December.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Manitoba Health Minister met Dr. Shadi Rezazadeh after she put in $700,000 of her own savings to woo doctors to come here from the United Kingdom.
“It went way better than I expected,” she said Thursday, referring to her meeting with Asagwara. “I had only half an hour, but it took an hour. They asked all kinds of questions about how I recruit doctors.
“I’m very, very, very hopeful and thankful they listened and, hopefully, they will get back to me soon. They said they will as soon as they figure things out.”
In a statement, Asagwara called it “a great conversation… on how to improve health care in our province.”
“Her approach demonstrates her determination to make a difference for Manitobans. We will take time to analyze how her experience can help inform efforts throughout Manitoba to recruit physicians and make sure everyone can get the care they need.
“We are a listening government and look forward to further conversations with Dr. Rezazadeh and physicians across the province.”
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
Dr. Shadi Rezazadeh owns Trucare Medical clinic on McPhillips Street and recently took over Rivergrove Medical Clinic on north Main Street from the previous owner, which she is reopening after it closed briefly in December.
Rezazadeh said the Rivergrove Medical Clinic is beginning to schedule patient appointments with the first doctor she recruited beginning on Feb. 12.
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