The term ‘trailblazer’ is applied with far too much abandon, but there are times when it’s absolutely the perfect descriptor for one who, tasked with an unprecedented challenge, not only acts decisively to meet it – but also toils to ensure its success in the face of obstacles.
In the late 2000s, Peterborough’s standing as an established medical education hub was a mere notion, as opposed to a reality. Any thought of building a robust teaching program outside of that offered by a traditional academic hub was viewed with much skepticism.
Enter Dr. Kim Curtin who, in response to a 2008 request from Queen’s University in Kingston, took on the challenge of developing a two-year family medicine residency program in Peterborough.
Faced with the task of recruiting physicians to participate as educators, Dr. Curtin was immediately up against it. Many she approached had chosen to work in Peterborough to avoid any academic-related involvement. That, however, did little to staunch Dr. Curtin’s commitment, the result being a small team of family medicine and specialty preceptors in place come 2010.
The early years were precarious; a time when the most minor of setbacks threatened to derail the program, but Dr. Curtin’s determination and perseverance anchored the Peterborough Family Residency Program’s growth in size, strength and reputation. Today, the program consistently attracts residents who contribute significantly to patient care and medical education.
If that’s not enough, there has been the broader impact on Peterborough’s evolution as a thriving medical education hub.
Over the past 15 years, many of the program’s graduates have chosen to practice family medicine in Peterborough city, and county. Of note, the majority of those contribute to care provided at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre in areas such as emergency medicine, obstetrics and palliative care.
Beyond the traditional medical care realm, program graduates have, via their involvement with the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic, The Street Health Care Team and the Peterborough Community Health Centre, been key in the provision of services to the community’s most vulnerable.
Dr. Curtin’s leadership and sheer determination to succeed gave new life to an entire medical community which, in turn, has led to wholly-accessible and exceptional health care for countless residents. Today, the Peterborough Family Residency Program is largely led by graduates of the program, each continuing Dr. Curtin’s vision while maintaining a culture rooted in mentorship, collaboration and excellence that she worked so very hard to foster.