Muskoka, ON – October 1, 2026 – The Muskoka Almaguin Ontario Health Team (MAOHT) is continuing to strengthen access to primary care through a coordinated regional recruitment strategy designed to address ongoing healthcare workforce needs across Muskoka and Almaguin.
At the centre of this collaborative approach is the MAOHT’s Health Human Resources (HHR) Task Force, which brings together healthcare organizations, primary care providers, municipalities and community partners to coordinate recruitment efforts and contribute expertise and resources from across the region.
To support this work, the HHR Task Force brought on David Gravelle, a Health Human Resources Recruiter who brings extensive recruitment expertise to the region. Gravelle works alongside partners to identify opportunities and connect prospective physicians and nurse practitioners with practices and communities across Muskoka and Almaguin.
Recent successes include the recruitment of three internationally trained physicians — two from the United States and one from Australia — as well as ongoing efforts to attract locums to support local hospitals, the Huntsville Unattached Patient Clinic and community primary care providers. The MAOHT is also building a strong pipeline of prospective recruits who are exploring opportunities to relocate to the region in 2027.
“Our recruitment efforts are built on relationships,” said David Gravelle, HHR Recruiter for the MAOHT. “We connect with physicians and nurse practitioners who are interested in rural practice, invite them to experience our communities and help them envision building a life and career here. Seeing primary care providers choose Muskoka and Almaguin is incredibly rewarding.”
Over the past year, activities have included recruitment events in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, targeted outreach to Canadians studying or practicing medicine abroad, collaboration with the Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance, and provincial initiatives such as Practice Ready Ontario.
“Improving access to primary care remains one of our region’s highest priorities,” said Dr. Keith Cross, Co-Chair of the MAOHT Alliance Council and MAOHT Primary Care Network. “The progress we are seeing reflects the strength of our partnerships among healthcare organizations, municipalities and community partners. While there is more work to do, this collaborative approach is helping strengthen primary care today while building a stronger system for the future.”
A Shared Investment in Primary Care
The regional recruitment strategy has also benefited from the generous financial contributions of local primary care organizations, the hospital and hospital foundations, municipalities and townships across Muskoka and Almaguin. These partners have chosen to invest in a shared goal – attracting more primary care providers to the region and, ultimately, improving access to care for local residents.
Among these investments is support from the Dr. William S. Monk Community Healthcare Development Fund, administered through the Muskoka Community Foundation, which has helped fund international recruitment activities, participation in recruitment events and opportunities to showcase Muskoka and Almaguin to prospective healthcare professionals.
“I am very pleased to support the MAOHT’s ongoing strategic recruitment initiatives to attract international doctors to the Muskoka and Almaguin regions. This work requires long-term relationship building, and it is wonderful to see results now manifesting for the benefit of local residents,” said Kate Monk, founder of the Dr. William S. Monk Community Health Care Development Fund.
While recruitment efforts continue, residents who do not have a primary care provider are encouraged to register with Ontario’s Health Care Connect (HCC) program, which helps connect eligible residents with a family doctor or nurse practitioner in their community who is accepting new patients. Registration is available at ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or by calling 811.
Additional information about local healthcare services is available on the MAOHT Community Resources web page at maoht.ca/community-resources.
About the Muskoka Almaguin Ontario Health Team (MAOHT)
The MAOHT is a collaborative network of health and social service providers who plan and work together, with patients/clients, families and caregivers, to co-design an inclusive, better integrated local health system. Its mission is to enhance patient outcomes, improve population health, optimize the healthcare system, and improve the healthcare experience of both patients and clinicians living in Muskoka and Almaguin. To learn more, please visit www.maoht.ca.
Media Contact:
Louise Picot
Communications
Muskoka Almaguin Ontario Health Team
705-606-1549
lpicot@maoht.ca