Nova Scotia’s health authority says it has hired one doctor eager to leave the United States because of President Donald Trump, and is in talks with more than two dozen more.
The authority launched a digital recruiting campaign in the U.S. in November, targeting physicians feeling uneasy about the election results.
“We saw it as an opportunity with the election to remind folks and the leads that we have in the U.S. that we are here, ready and waiting for them should they wish to choose Nova Scotia to come practise here,” said Katrina Philopoulos, the director of physician recruiting.
Nova Scotia Health has been actively recruiting south of the border for years, but the new campaign led to 150 responses.
“We have seen some in certain specialties that have decided that they’re worried about how the changes in the U.S. will change their practice,” Philopoulos said.
The pool has been narrowed down to 27 serious negotiations, including one new hire.
Philopoulos said that physician, a hospitalist, is expected to start at the end of the month. She won’t say where they’ll be located until they arrive.
“That was a really quick turnaround,” she said, adding that several other physicians have committed to doing locums, which are short-term contracts to fill in gaps.
“I think boots on the ground, we expect to see some of those individuals sooner than later in the coming months.”
In Elmsdale, N.S., John Philpott is hearing a similar message. He runs a private recruiting company, CanAM Physician Recruiting, which has contracts to hire international doctors across the country, but not in Nova Scotia.
He told CBC’s Information Morning Nova Scotia that his business is hearing from about 20 American physicians a day.
“It’s the frustration of the Trump administration. They’re very embarrassed with the rhetoric and the lies that are coming out of the president of the United States.”
Philpott said he’s been recruiting for 27 years, and said this is one of the busiest times of his career.
“They’re very serious, they’re asking about citizenship and they’re signing contracts.”
Philpott said it’s too soon to say how many physicians will make the move, but he estimates it could be as high as 50 per cent of those he’s had contact with.
Nova Scotia Health is also banking on strong returns during this uncertainty.
Philopoulos said their team will continue to reach out to new and old contacts in the States, including Canadians they know who are working there.
“Sometimes it’s the right moment in time for someone to make a decision to change.”
