GBGH recruits important new addition for Birthing program with a hometown connection
October 13, 2021 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has made an important addition to the Birthing program through the recruitment of a permanent obstetrician-gynecologist – Dr. Jan (Chevy) Moreau. Until now, birthing services have been safely provided via midwives and family physicians with specialized training, as well as surgeons and anesthetists when needed for cesarean sections and epidurals. Dr. Moreau will continue working with the existing interprofessional team while also filling the role of chief of Obstetrics at GBGH. In addition to providing obstetrical care, he will offer specialized gynecological care to women in the community, increasing consistent access to this important service.
Dr. Moreau comes to GBGH from Barrie where he maintained a private medical practice, and provided obstetrical and gynecological services at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), practicing there for 27 years and most recently serving as the chief of Obstetrics.
Dr. Moreau’s desire to bring his vast skills and passion for patient care to GBGH stems from a long family history in this area. Having been born at the old St. Andrew’s hospital in Midland and being raised in Waubaushene, Dr. Moreau most looks forward to the opportunity to serve his hometown community.
“I have an immense personal connection to this area through my family and it has fueled my desire to serve my home community as I’ve progressed in my career,” says Dr. Moreau. “Even after growing up and leaving to pursue education and medical practice elsewhere, I’ve always considered myself a proud local of this area. After much thought and consideration, a transition to this hospital is the perfect opportunity for a change that brings the care I provide back to my hometown. I want to do this for GBGH and for the community it serves.”
One of Dr. Moreau’s main priorities will be to recruit an additional obstetrician-gynecologist for the program. He will also further develop and grow birthing and women’s health services at GBGH based on the foundation that has been built over the past five years.
“Both Dr. Moreau and myself would like to acknowledge and thank the team for the many years of valuable groundwork and commitment which has brought the Birthing program as far as it’s come today,” says Dr. Vikram Ralhan, chief of staff, GBGH. “The recruitment of a permanent OB-GYN at GBGH is a significant milestone for the Birthing program, which has been growing steadily since being reinvigorated in 2016-2017 through a partnership with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH). It has taken exceptional determination and dedication to grow this service for women in our community, but worth every effort so we can offer this care closer to home.”
Obstetric and gynecological services at GBGH are offered through a partnership with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH), which began in 2017. Through this partnership, patients have access to high quality birthing services close to home across a corridor of care stretching between OSMH’s and GBGH’s North Simcoe catchment area. GBGH is a Level 1 centre providing service for low-risk births, while Orillia is a Level 2 centre for higher risk births.
Since the program was re-established in 2016-2017, the number of births has grown considerably from 116 to a forecasted 188 births in 2021-2022 (year ends March 31, 2022).
Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177