HEALTH CARE Big loss for P.E.I.
Pediatrician Dr. Mitchell Zelman leaving medical practice for new opportunity in B.C.
One of the Island’s beloved pediatricians is leaving the province for a new opportunity in British Columbia.
Dr. Mitchell Zelman told The Guardian that June 30 will be his last day.
“It’s just time to ease off the gas a little,’’ he said following an address at the Family Medicine Conference in Charlottetown.
“It’s going to be less nights and weekends. I’m going to be doing a similar pediatric practice but more part time.’’ Zelman, who has been practising in P.E.I. for the past 25 years, received a standing ovation at Thursday’s conference when he delivered the news.
“I have lots of energy, so I want to make sure I harness it properly. I like outdoor endeavours and I find that life balance is really important for physicians because, otherwise, it can get very stressful.’’
The opportunity came up when he received a phone call about a physician in B.C. who was struggling with an illness. Dr. Shannon Curtis, pastpresident of the P.E.I. College of Family Physicians, said Zelman will be sorely missed.
“He has been a fantastic mentor; he has been fantastic at looking after patients and really supporting us. Whenever we call he’s always there to help and he’s always a friendly face,’’ Curtis said.
“(This is) definitely a loss for the province and definitely a gain for B.C.’’ Curtis moved into the role of past-president at the conference on Thursday. The new president is Nadine Arsenault Samson.
While Zelman is leaving, he will still have a presence in P.E.I. “I’m going to be maintaining a home here,’’ he said, referring to a house on the north shore. “I’ll be keeping a licence, so you never know. Maybe it will be part-time (work) or whatever.’’
Zelman said the highlight of his 25 years has been the people he has worked with.
“There is such a good quality of care as far as the pediatric service, so all of my colleagues, my nurse colleagues, my allied health-care professional colleagues — they have such incredible quality of care for the kids. I say that very sincerely. It’s a very dedicated group.’’ He also singled out doctors Lamont Sweet and Heather Morrison in the chief public health office as moments that stand out for him.
Zelman said as a pediatrician he has always lived by two philosophies.
“I am a big believer . . . that every child has promise, no matter what, even the most vulnerable children. Number two, there is always time for kindness, no matter what.
“In the most difficult time, in the most difficult hour, I think it is really important to show the act of kindness for the children and the families because I think they deserve it, and it’s incumbent upon us caregivers to show that.’’