Brightshores Health System (Brightshores) has over 250 members of the credentialed medical staff. Our staff are dedicated professionals who work with interdisciplinary teams to provide the best possible care to the patients throughout our region. Please see the following list of physicians in leadership positions at Brightshores.
Our Brightshores physicians actively participate in providing academic opportunities for medical students and residents. If you are a student or a resident interested in electives, visit the Medical Students and Residents page on the left. If you are a physician looking for a permanent or a locum opportunity, see Physician Vacancies on the left side of this page.
Vice President, Medical Affairs
Dr. Michael Williams
Reporting to the President & CEO of Brightshores Health System, the VP of Medical Affairs is focused on physician engagement to realize opportunities for organizational growth and development related to service planning. The VP Medical Affairs works with all members of the Brightshores physician group to ensure we are providing the best possible care to patients in our region.
Chief of Staff
Dr. Cornelius Van Zyl
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief of Staff (CoS) provides medical leadership to the Credentialed Staff appointed by Brightshores, engaging physicians within all six hospitals and participating as a member of the Executive Team. The CoS works closely and collaboratively with the President and CEO and Vice Presidents of Brightshores on corporate priorities aligned with the strategic plan and is the Chairperson of the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC).
Presidents, Medical Staff Associations (MSAs)
Dr. Andrew Jeffery, Rural MSA President
Dr. Eric Brown, Urban MSA President
As officers of the MSAs, the Rural and Urban presidents act as a liaison between the medical staff, the CEO, and the Board with respect to matters concerning the credentialed medical staff at Brightshores. They represent both MSA groups on the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) and are ex-officio directors of the Board.
Anesthesiology
Dr. David Hatcher, Chief Department of Anaesthesiology
A strong, collegial department with eight FRCPC certified anesthesiologists who provide coverage for adults and paediatrics in obstetrics/gynaecology, general surgery, orthopedics, ENT, urology, thoracic surgery, dental and vascular surgery, as well as acute pain service and chronic pain treatment.
Medical Imaging
Dr. Neil Rosta, Chief Department of Medical Imaging
The Medical Imaging Department at Brightshores provides all imaging modalities including MRI, CT, ultrasound, x-ray, nuclear medicine, mammography and bone mineral density studies. We also have an advanced Interventional Radiology practice which includes minimally invasive endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease, as well as elective and emergency embolization procedures.
With excellent and collaborative relationships with our surgical and medical colleagues, we are fortunate to leverage these relationships into high quality multidisciplinary care. We manage a complex and diverse caseload across all six hospital sites and have plans to further expand our services to meet local needs. These immediate program expansions include a second MRI scanner at our Owen Sound site and a new CT scanner installation at our Southampton hospital, with intent to offer additional CT scanners at our other hospital locations.
Our group of radiologists are specialists and sub-specialists certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and include physicians with fellowship training in Interventional Radiology, MRI and CT. The Owen Sound hospital site is the Ontario Breast Screening Program’s regional Breast Assessment Centre.
Emergency
Dr. Sunil Mehta, Chief Department of Emergency Medicine
Our local Emergency Department physicians provide 24/7 coverage for the Brightshores – Owen Sound site while also operating as the regional base hospital for EMS services.
The Owen Sound site offers 24/7 extensive multidisciplinary back up for the entire region as well as in house 24 hour laboratory and radiology services including CT and MRI.
As the district stroke centre we also operate as the stroke bypass centre for the entire Grey-Bruce region.
In addition, Brightshores also operates emergency departments in all 5 regional sites (Meaford, Markdale, Lion’s Head, Southampton, Wiarton) with 24 hour service provided by local physician groups.
Family Medicine
Dr. Debbie Dyke, Chief Department of Urban Family Medicine
The Owen Sound (OS) urban hospital site has a small group of physicians providing inpatient care and is the primary site for the McMaster family medicine residency program with Brightshores. There are also a number of physicians involved in other hospital-related activities such as obstetrics, ER, palliative care, surgical assisting, and mental health and addiction care. All OS physicians are part of the Owen Sound Family Health Team, and as such provide after-hours care, helping to reduce the number of visits to our local Emergency department while also managing their own practices in collaboration with the Family Health Team and are involved in the programs that are offered by that group.
Dr. Harvey Winfield, Chief Department of Rural Family Medicine
Each of Brightshores’ five rural hospitals, Lion’s Head, Markdale, Meaford, Southampton and Wiarton, have teams of family medicine physicians. Sites provide 24/7 Emergency and inpatient services. Each site has outpatient clinics and there are outpatient surgical services with GP anesthesia at four hospitals.
Hospital Medicine
Dr. William Doelman, Chief Department of Hospital Medicine
Hospitalists provide care for non-critical care medical and/or surgical patients over the age of 18. On-Call support also includes rehabilitation and psychogeriatric units, plus healthy newborns on weekends. Each Hospitalist carries a maximum patient load between 15 to 20 patients. The average on-call commitment includes 2 weeknights and 1 in 4 weekends. There is excellent support from consultant specialists and the emergency department, as well 24-hour labs and comprehensive diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI, PACS capability). Educational affiliations with the Rural Ontario Medical Program (ROMP) and the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry provide a wide range of teaching opportunities.
Medicine
Dr. Greg Becks, Chief Department of Internal Medicine
The Service currently has eleven full or part time members. Subspecialties include Cardiology, Neurology, Endocrinology, Respirology and Gastroenterology. There is a significant volume of cardiac patients in addition to a varied general internist practice.
Obstetrics/Gynaecology
Dr. Melissa Comette, Chief Department of Obstetrics/Gynaecology
The department has six specialists offering a full range of gynecologic care throughout a woman’s life. We offer medical expertise and advanced surgical skills. Areas of interest include contraception and family planning, management of menstrual or menopausal abnormalities and colposcopy for cancer prevention and treatment.
Our team of obstetricians provide primary care for both low and high risk pregnancy and birth in Owen Sound. We also provide obstetric consultation for surrounding low risk centers, family physicians and midwives. We are supported by pediatric specialists, anaesthesiologists and the intensive care nursery.
Paediatrics
Dr. Chloe Davidson, Chief Department of Paediatrics
The Department is currently staffed by five full-time paediatricians. The Department provides general consultant pediatric service with 24/7 call coverage to the Grey Bruce region. Some pediatricians have academic appointments and are actively involved in supervising clinical clerks and residents. The Department provides support to the Obstetrical Service in Owen Sound which has over 700 deliveries per year with attendance at delivery, as needed, and neonatal care in hospital. There is a Level II Intensive Care Nursery with the capacity to deliver assisted ventilation (CPAP), TPN, and support premature infants as early as those born at 32 weeks gestation. The paediatricians service 5 dedicated Paediatric in-patient beds, and also have admitting privileges to the ICU. The paediatricians’ office-based practice is referral-based and is serviced through the Ambulatory Paediatric Clinic at the hospital. The Department offers regular Paediatric Diabetes Clinics supported by a CDE-qualified RD and RN. The paediatricians also provide outreach pediatric services to the communities of Wiarton & Walkerton.
Pathology
Dr. Ardit Deliallisi, Chief Department of Pathology
This is a true general pathology practice with a broad range of surgical pathology, hematopathology, cytopathology, as well as medico legal and hospital autopsies. This department is well supported by the hospital with strong technical and equipment resources. The pathologists provide consultative services to Brightshores Health System and the South Bruce Grey Health Centre (10 hospitals in total).
Psychiatry
Dr. Nichodemus Ugwu, Chief Department of Psychiatry
Brightshores’ eleven psychiatrists, based at the Owen Sound hospital, support the Schedule 1 inpatient service and/or provide consultation to three community-based multi-agency mental health teams. The psychiatrists support a comprehensive range of ambulatory programs including the Crisis Team, Community Outreach Treatment Team, the Assertive Community Treatment Team, Psychogeriatric assessment and treatment, Dual Diagnosis and Aftercare Services.
The Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists at Brightshores work closely with LHIN partners at London Health Sciences Centre and Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph’s Health Care London as well as local community partners.
Surgery
Dr. Joe McKenna, Chief Department of Surgery
The Department of Surgery offers a wide array of surgical care, with excellent anaesthesia support, first-rate equipment and high quality ICU back up. The Department has seven divisions: Dentistry, General Surgery, Gynecology, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology and Urology. We also have cross-appointments with Internal Medicine for Thorascopic, Endoscopic, and Pacemaker Services.
COVID has forced us to take a closer look at volumes of through-put to allow appropriate social distancing in every step through the journey of one’s surgical event. We are working collaboratively with Interventional Radiology to expand the Endovascular procedures offered here at Brightshores.