City of Welland Offers $1 Million In Physician Recruitment Incentives To Triage Doc Shortage

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WELLAND – City council approved a budget of $1M for a physician recruitment incentive program; the Economic Development Reserve Fund will provide the funds.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has deemed Welland an area of high physician need, and as of February 2023, documented the city is 17 family physicians short. This shortage is anticipated to increase, given the projected population growth and slate of family physicians retiring.

“We recognize how critical health care and access to health care is,” said Mayor Frank Campion. “This pledge by the City signals a clear and loud commitment to our residents that we will do everything we can to ensure they have access to family doctors and other health care services.”

The recruitment incentive is designed to bring 10 new doctors to the city, with $100K for each new family physician starting their own or taking over an existing practice. Economic Development staff will work closely with the Physician Recruitment and Retention Specialist with Regional Health Initiatives, Niagara Region Public Health, on the Niagara Physician Recruitment Program.

Physician shortages are not unique to Welland; several municipalities in Niagara and across the country are finding unique approaches to recruit new practices or entice practitioners to take over existing practices. 

  • In the past five years, Welland has lost six physicians and added three. 
  • 34 per cent of Welland family doctors are over the age of 65.
  • Welland has the lowest family physician per 10,000 population ratio in Niagara (4.3 doctors per 10,000 people).

Implementing this initiative will support residents’ quality of life and ensure Welland continues to be seen as a progressive City to live, work, play, and invest.

(Attribution: City of Welland media release.)

Yasaman Mehrsa Answers The Call To Transform Public Art Space At Rec Rentals @ The Docks

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WELLAND – Rec Rentals @ The Docks will have a different look late this year after Brock University graduate Yasaman Mehrsa was chosen as the artist to transform exterior surfaces with a creative theme celebrating the City and its connection to trails, parks, and the waterway.

Put forth to the arts community in April, the project’s focus was on creating a vibrant canvas on the buildings that foster community pride in public art and enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors to the area.

“We were fortunate to receive many submissions from very talented artists,” said Erin Carl, supervisor of festivals and events. “Yasaman’s submission stood out among all the others, and we’re excited to see her work; her public art experience positions her well for success on this project.”

With an overall budget of $8,000, the artistic design contains parameters set forth by the City, including visuals that celebrate the community, culture, and recreation.

Born and raised in Tehran/Iran, she got exposed to art from a young age. She completed her studies with a Bachelor of Visual Communication in Iran and later earned a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Brock University.

She uses both digital and traditional mediums; her work is illustrative in style, focusing on storytelling and exploring all facets of life and being human in a natural environment, and is often representative of awareness of the human-nature relationship.

She has worked on various public art projects for organizations, communities, BIAs, and festivals inside and outside Canada since 2018. She has painted murals on walls as tall as three stories high, windows, grounds, boxes, doors, stairs, and more.

Attribution: City of Welland media release

It’s Parade Time!

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Please support/attend the Rose Festival parade, a signature Welland event

The Rose Festival’s Grande Parade is happening tomorrow!! That’s right, on June 18th from 1pm – 3pm the Grande Parade is going to take our city by storm and fill the streets with an explosion of color, music, and performances!
You won’t believe your eyes when you witness the breathtaking array of dazzling floats, incredible bands, talented performers, and unique characters straight from the heart of our beloved region!
The excitement will kick off at 1 PM, right from the Welland Arena, the parade will then march its way up King St. then out across East Main Street, so make sure to grab your spot along the route, as the parade will culminate at the corner of East Main Street and Hellems Ave. You don’t want to miss a single second of this awe-inspiring spectacle! – Rose Festival committee