Dr. Stephen Zimmer, a family physician at the Sherwood Family Medical Centre in Charlottetown, has made the difficult decision to retire. His final day in the position will be December 19. The decision will now leave about 1,600 active patients of all ages looking for new primary care providers. That’s especially true since Dr. Zimmer is now in his early 70s. Originally from the U.S., he immigrated to Canada in 2019 and has since developed a strong niche practice.
To help ensure a smooth transition as Dr. Zimmer prepares for his retirement, Dr. Zimmer’s patients have already been notified regarding the transition. As things stand, no primary care provider has been assigned to assume his practice. In the interim, Health P.E.I. has provided instructions to his patients for how to register for the patient registry.
Health P.E.I., the regional health authority, has been on the front lines of the family doctor shortage in the Maritimes. Since the beginning of the year, the organization has had 36 physicians join its ranks. This large group has six family medicine docs in their midst. Even with these efforts, the need for primary care continues to outpace supply. Between January 1st and October 31st, a total of 7,427 Islanders were assigned to a provider, but more than 35,000 remain on the patient registry awaiting assignment.
“Right now, there is no primary care provider assigned to take over Dr. Zimmer’s practice. His patients are being provided with instructions on how to register for the patient registry.” – Health P.E.I.
The effects of Dr. Zimmer’s planned retirement are being deeply felt by his patients and by the health care system. Many individuals dependent on his care now face uncertainty as they seek new doctors amidst an ongoing shortage of family physicians in Prince Edward Island.
Health P.E.I. thanked Dr. Zimmer for her time in the Province’s health-care system.
“Health P.E.I. would like to thank Dr. Zimmer for his years of service in the Island health-care system and his dedication to his patients. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.” – Health P.E.I.
