Family doctor retires from Kateri

Nearly 700 community members are suddenly without a family doctor following the announcement this week that Dr. Mitra Tehranifar, a 15-year veteran of the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC), will be retiring next month.

“I’m actually sad she’s leaving. She’s a really sweet doctor,” said Megan Day, who has felt in good hands with Dr. Tehranifar over the past decade that she’s been seeing her.

The comfort Day felt is now displaced by uncertainty, however, after receiving a letter on Tuesday informing her that she has been put on the waitlist for a new one.

“I feel uneasy. I hope it’s a fast turnaround for a new doctor,” said Day, who gets blood tests and a thyroid checkup every two months.

“Since I have to go so often, I got worried,” she said. “Who’s going to follow me now? I don’t want to slip through the cracks.”

There were around 230 community members on the waitlist before this news, but with Dr. Tehranifar’s retirement, which takes effect November 22, the queue will be about 900 names long.

With recruitment a challenge across Quebec, Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) administrators are hoping the loss of another family doctor following three departures earlier this year, with just one new hire to make up for it, is just a temporary setback.

“KMHC is always recruiting,” said KMHC’s director of professional services, Dr. Rachael Eniojukan. She said initiatives such as KMHC’s involvement in teaching medical residents help equip the hospital to scoop up doctors who develop an affinity for the community and have the qualities to provide a high level of care.

However, it is likely not until the end of next summer or longer before the hospital is able to add a new family doctor, since this is when many new medical professionals are looking for work following graduation.

In the meantime, Eniojukan said the hospital is working hard to ensure Kahnawa’kehró:non are able to access the healthcare they need.

“We’re very fortunate to have our access service, which has stepped up in circumstances such as this one,” said Eniojukan. The Access Clinic is available to patients without a family doctor or whose doctor is away, whether they have a new, non-urgent health problem or have a chronic condition that needs regular follow-up.

The hospital is currently combing the list of Dr. Tehranifar’s patients to identify vulnerable patients who may need follow-up from the KMHC team.

“It’s essential-focused, being quite attentive to who’s on the list, who’s vulnerable, and identifying those who can benefit from our access service,” Eniojukan said.

Besides information on the Access Clinic and Saturday clinics, the notice received by Dr. Tehranifar’s patients also included a list of walk-in clinics in surrounding communities.

For the hospital, losing Dr. Tehranifar means more than just a loss of capacity, however.

“She was with us for 15 years,” said Eniojukan, adding that Dr. Tehranifar was always looking for ways to contribute to the team. “She’s a dear colleague and a friend, and she’s been instrumental in programs at KMHC. We’ll greatly miss her.”

Dr. Tehranifar is known as an advocate for her patients, Eniojukan noted.

“She cares deeply,” said Eniojukan. “She’s a doctor who works from her heart and is very dedicated and committed to her clientele.”

Kahnawa’kehró:non can contact KMHC’s front desk to arrange for a medical appointment through Saturday clinics or the Access Clinic. Those who should be seen within 48 hours may be able to obtain a semi-urgent appointment, depending on availability.

As always, those with urgent medical needs should go to the nearest emergency room.

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