News Release | Leeds Grenville Welcomes its Fifth New Family Doctor to the Region

October 19, 2026

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville in a Joint Agreement with Brockville, Prescott and Gananoque welcomes its fifth new primary care physician to the region.

Dr. Imran Tariq is coming from the United Kingdom to the St. Lawrence District Medical Centre. Dr. Imran Tariq will be rostering new patients as of November 2nd from the existing waitlist compiled by the clinic last fall that still has over three hundred hopefuls waiting for a call. Many of those on the list are also registered with Health Care Connect so both lists will see movement.

The St. Lawrence District Medical Centre located in Lansdowne, has been offering primary care to patients from Brockville to Kingston for over fifty years. The current focus, as Dr. Tariq builds his practice roster, is to address the unattached patient needs in the Township, and then the neighbouring communities. This is the first time that the Lansdowne site has had three family doctors offering care as part of the Family Health Organization (FHO). The other two clinics are in Gananoque and Seeley’s Bay.  The Centre in Lansdowne is a registered charity run by a volunteer board. The facility has recently been reconfigured and renovated to accommodate a third family physician.

In September, the Counties announced four new physicians through its Joint Agreement Physician Recruitment Program, launched in January 2025. George Smitherman and Sherri Hudson-Fournier of Health Workforce Innovations (HWI) have been contracted until January 2028 to help address the family physician shortage across Leeds Grenville. Their strategy targets highly trained, internationally educated physicians. HWI recently hosted 10 prospective physicians on a regional tour. Dr. Tariq participated in an earlier tour in May 2026.

Residents without a family physician are encouraged to register with Ontario's Health Care Connect program for help finding available primary care services. A valid Ontario health number is required to register online. Further physician announcements are expected in 2027.

Quotes

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at the St. Lawrence District Medical Centre in Lansdowne. The support I have received throughout this transition has been wonderful,” said Dr. Tariq. “For me, family medicine is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives through compassionate care and taking the time to understand each patient’s needs. I look forward to connecting with my new patients, getting to know the community and contributing to the health and well-being of local individuals and families.”

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Dr. Imran Tariq, who has agreed to become part of the St. Lawrence District Medical Centre and our community,” said Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Warden of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and Mayor of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Township. “This was a truly collaborative effort with the Clinic, the Township, and the Counties, to ensure healthcare in the Leeds Grenville region is a top priority.”

"This is huge for the local community bringing the number of physicians in the Thousand Islands Family Health Organization (TIFHO) back to ten. The community was hit hard by a number of physician retirements in the last couple of years. Dr. Tariq is a welcome addition to the medical team in Lansdowne and to the Family Health Organization. I know the community joins me in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Tariq as he establishes his practice here", says Heather Cross, Chair for St. Lawrence District Medical Centre. “We ask interested patients to continue to register with Ontario’s Health Care Connect. Please wait to hear from our clinic staff that you are being offered care through our Centre. Continue to follow our social media for word on when our waitlist will be open to new candidates."

“We are reaching out to each medical centre in Leeds Grenville to understand their physician requirements and connecting with prospective doctors,” says George Smitherman. “In addition, we have built a program to welcome and support new physicians and their families with the transition to a new country,” says Sherri Fournier-Hudson. “The warmth and welcome from community members is far and away one of our greatest features.”

-30-

Media Inquiries:

Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager
United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON
613-342-3840, ext. 5365 or 613-803-0248

Ann.Weir@uclg.on.ca