A new physician recruitment campaign launched by the Government of Saskatchewan aims to attract doctors from across Canada and abroad by showcasing the province’s career opportunities and lifestyle benefits.
The campaign, titled Saskatchewan is Calling, features physicians from North Battleford, Saskatoon and Swift Current, highlighting both their professional environments and personal lives.
“We want to spread the word amongst physicians from Canada and abroad that Saskatchewan is a great place to put down roots, grow a fulfilling career and enjoy an excellent quality of life in one of our welcoming communities,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said in a news release. “We have heard from many of our physicians, including those featured in this campaign, that Saskatchewan has what it takes to thrive. I encourage everyone to watch and share these inspirational stories.”
The initiative is a partnership between the provincial government, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency.
Campaign materials include video stories from practicing doctors who speak directly to their experiences working in the province and why they chose to stay. One of the featured physicians is Dr. Tin-Wing Yen, an obstetrician and gynecologist in North Battleford.
“I was pleased to participate in this campaign to showcase the benefits of working in Saskatchewan available to physicians,” Yen said. “There are so many opportunities for family physicians and specialists in this province. Join our medical community and experience life under the living skies for yourself!”
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The government says the campaign emphasizes several advantages to practicing in Saskatchewan, including competitive compensation, a lower cost of living, shorter commutes, team-based care, and access to academic and leadership opportunities.
Campaign videos will appear online as well as in physical locations including billboards, transit shelters and subway stations, with placements in both Canada and the United States. The full videos are available at saskatchewan.ca/HHR.
“We know from our frontline work recruiting health practitioners that peer-to-peer interaction is very important to deepen the interest of a prospective candidate,” said Terri Strunk, CEO of the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency. “The stories of these physicians, highlighting why Saskatchewan is such a wonderful place to build a rewarding career in healthcare and enjoy a high quality of life, is very compelling to those who may not know much about our province.”
The campaign follows a recent U.S.-focused initiative promoting Saskatchewan as a stable, supportive place to work, with what the province describes as one of the most straightforward medical licensure pathways in Canada.
“By investing in our provincial Health Human Resources Action Plan, Saskatchewan is a very attractive place for health care professionals to live, work and build a career,” said Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr. “We offer many career opportunities to physicians who want to practice in our great province, along with some of the best physician compensation rates in the country, a supportive work environment and other support programs.”