Characteristics of Practice

New medical clinic with EMR. Currently Family Health Organization of 11 family physicians and 3 Nurse Practitioners. Young, energetic group. Also Family Health Team with social worker, psychologist, diabetes educator, dietician and pharmacist.
Mix of 25 pts/day (various ages), 4-8 ER shifts/month. Surgical assist. Palliative care. Nursing Home. Inpatients. Procedures clinic. Obstetrics (hospital has 70-100 deliveries/yr)
Call Mon-Thurs own patients, 1 in 5 weekends in the past.

Clinical experience can be, to some extent, tailored to needs/interests of resident.

Possibility of parallel elective time spent in anaesthesia, various visiting specialists.

Patient Population

Dr. Neal - 1200 patients: 30% pediatric, 45% adult medicine, 25% geriatrics

Dr. Appavoo - 800 patients: 25% pediatric, 40% adult medicine, 35% geriatrics

Description of Location

1.5 hours north of London

Town of Goderich

Affiliated Hospital

Alexandra Marine and General Hospital

Type of Community

Traditional family practice that spans all ages in a small, friendly community on the shores of Lake Huron. Known as the "Prettiest Town In Canada." Town population base of 8,000 with catch basin of 20,000 people. Within 1 hour drive of major centres. Destination location for summer and winter recreational activities for those with an interest in the outdoors. Five star resort located at Benmiller just outside of town. Three live theatre companies each within one hour.

Educational Opportunities

On Call  1-12 hour ER shifts/week 1 weekend (back-up for ER, hospital inpatients and anaesthesia) per month

Emergency  All emergencies managed by Emergency doctor. 1-12hr shift in emergency per week.

Obstetrics  Prenatal care to 28 weeks. Possibility of doing deliveries if desired.

Anaesthesia  Provided by Dr. Appavoo and another GP anaesthetist. Epidural and emergency anesthesia after hours provided on an as needed basis.

OR  Patients of clinic are usually booked on Dr. Appavoo's anesthesia lists. However when possible, both doctors will assist at cases involving their patients.

Healthy Hearts  Cardiac rehabilitation program involving either supervision or participation on an exercise bike. Dr. Neal is responsible for Monday and Wednesday morning sessions from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

Coroner  Dr. Neal provides local coroner services.

Office Clinics  Clinic runs Monday to Thursday a.m. and p.m. Physicians take turns on rotation. In-house venipuncture service. Experienced office manager and R.N.s available for assistance in the office. Plastics procedures, joint injections and aspirations performed in clinics at Emergency Department.

Inpatients Inpatients coverage provided by Dr. Neal and Appavoo from 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Inpatients are covered on the weekends and evenings by rotating inpatient call schedule.

Consultants  One general surgeon, an internist and two psychiatrists have offices in Goderich. Gastroenterology, Endocrine, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Respirology, OB/gyn, Pediatric, ENT, Radiology and Orthopedic consultants clinics in hospital. Opthamology within 20 minutes. Other consultants available in London at tertiary care centres within one hour in emergency situations.

Setting  Traditional family practice that spans all ages in a small, friendly community on the shores of Lake Huron. Known as the "Prettiest Town In Canada." Town population base of 8,000 with catch basin of 20,000 people. Within one and a half hour drive of major centres. Destination location for summer and winter recreational activities for those with an interest in the outdoors. Five star resort located at Benmiller just outside of town. Three live theatre companies each within one hour. Particular interests in Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and Anesthesia. Friendly and congenial medical staff. Good opportunity for experience in a wide variety of situation.sa

Scheduling Information:

Undergrad Students: Can take 2-3 students per year, one at a time.

Residents:  Can take 4 residents per year, one at a time.

Contact Information

Drs. Donald Neal & Samuel Appavoo

Maitland Valley Medical Centre
180 Cambria Rd., Goderich, ON N7A 4N8
Phone: 519-524-6060 Fax: 519-524-5225