Southern Health-Sante Sud's welcomed 16 new physicians to the RHA.

That announcement was made earlier this week. There are nine family doctors, and seven specialists, at a number of locations across the region.

Vice-president of Medical Services Dr. Denis Fortier's pleased.

"This has kind of been the numbers that we have had over the last couple of years, five, six years," he says, "We've been seen these kinds of numbers, so we're really pleased that what I thought was possibly a blip a number of years ago, is actually turning into a bit of pattern, which an even nicer surprise, if you will."

Fortier cautions while 16 new doctors have arrived, it doesn't mean we have that many more doctors.

"Every year, we lose to retirements or departures, between six and twelve physicians every year," he says, "I'm not sure what we're at this year, but I know we've lost some to retirements, for sure. So, some of these physicians are replacing some who have left, but some are net, new physicians."

He believes the RHA's proximity to Winnipeg is a significant factor in successful recruiting.

"Combined with our three larger urban centres," he says, "That being Portage, Steinbach, and the Morden/Winkler area. And the other thing would be critical teaching units, where we have family practice residents coming to live and study in our areas."