From Burnout to Balance: Doctors Are Finding Freedom in Ontario with Melanie Delion & David Gravelle
Physician Recruitment in Ontario: Your Complete Guide to Finding Work-Life Balance in Canadian Healthcare
Hello and welcome back to The Interesting MD! I’m Dr. Rob Beck, family physician and founder of the Interesting MD Podcast and YouTube channel. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you one of our most insightful and practical episodes to date: a conversation with two exceptional physician recruiters, David Gravelle and Melanie Delion. If you’re a doctor looking to relocate to Ontario, Canada—or just curious about what practicing medicine here is all about—this guide is for you.
As always, my aim is to go beyond just practicing medicine and dig into what helps us live fuller, more balanced lives. So, let’s dive in!
Why Ontario Needs YOU: Understanding the Landscape
The physician shortage in Ontario is real—tens of thousands of patients in rural and even suburban communities do not have regular access to primary care. As David Gravelle put it, "About a third of my community is not attached to primary care currently" ([00:06:39 - 00:06:46]). Multiply that across the province, and we’re talking about a massive need for family doctors, internists, specialists, and emergency physicians.
But it’s not just about filling positions. David Gravelle and Melanie Delion focus on recruitment and retention. Why? Because healthcare systems are only as strong as the relationships we build, the support we offer, and the communities we serve.
In their words, “We’re not just recruiting you, we want to retain you.” (David Gravelle, [00:00:07 - 00:00:09])
Breaking Down Ontario’s Regions: It’s More Than Just Toronto
When you think Ontario, Toronto probably comes to mind. But as Melanie Delion reminds us, “There’s much more than the GTA…Many of the physician recruiters across Ontario are actually outside urban areas. We are really championing our rural communities.” ([00:04:23 - 00:04:45])
Here’s a quick primer:
Southern, Central, Eastern, Northeastern, Northwestern Ontario: Each region has its own flavor, patient population, and lifestyle.
Seasonal Swells: Some areas, like Muskoka (the ‘Hamptons of Ontario’), triple in population during summer, creating unique opportunities and challenges for physicians.
Ontario is enormous—driving across it can take over a day! Rural and small-town life here offers the chance to live on lakes, take up outdoor adventures, and truly become part of a close-knit community.
What Kinds of Physician Jobs Are Available?
Short answer: just about everything! The greatest needs are for:
Family physicians (with the option for hospital roles, ER, obstetrics, anesthesia…)
Specialists in medium and large hospitals (internists, emergency medicine, psychiatry, etc.)
Roles in both rural and urban environments—inpatient, outpatient, academic, and everything in between.
If you have a skill set (especially with US or UK board certification), Ontario is looking for you.
How to Start Your Job Search
This is where things get easy—and personal. David Gravelle and Melanie Delion are not third-party agencies simply looking to fill a position and move on. They and their colleagues are community-embedded; they’ll help you find not just a job, but a home.
Here’s your action plan:
Visit the Ontario Physician Recruitment Alliance (OPRA) Website, opra.ca.
Interactive maps show you available jobs by region.
You can browse roles by specialty, city, and patient enrollment model.
Direct contact with community recruiters—who will walk you through the entire process.
Get Personalized Support
Recruiters help with everything: finding the right community, hospital tours, matching practice style and family needs, and even connecting you with immigration lawyers.
They focus on fit, not just filling a spot.
Recruiters Collaborate—Not Compete
If a region isn’t the right fit, they’ll connect you to someone who can help. “A win for one is a win for all!” (David Gravelle, [00:21:04 - 00:21:12])
Immigration, Licensing, and Getting Started
This is one of the biggest stress points for any international doctor. The good news? The system is changing, and you have advocates.
Work Permits: Options include significant benefit work permits, C10, and the labor market impact assessment (LMIA). Many communities can support these, and federal immigration for doctors is a top priority.
Permanent Residency: If you plan to stay, recruiters will help you start the provincial nominee program paperwork right away.
Licensing Has Never Been Easier: Thanks to recent changes, US-trained and UK-trained physicians can now get licensed in Ontario without additional exams or supervision (David Gravelle, [00:24:04 - 00:24:08]). In some cases, you can start work on a provisional license while the paperwork is processed.
Every candidate’s timeline is different, but the goal is to walk you from interest to practice with as much hands-on, supportive guidance as possible.
What Makes Life as a Doctor in Ontario Unique?
1. Work-Life Balance
Ontario hospitals and communities value your family time and your wellbeing. Not only can you leave work to catch your child’s swim meet, but many doctors choose these communities specifically for their lifestyle (David Gravelle, [00:35:04 - 00:35:12]).
You’ll work hard—but long hours, burnout, and never seeing your family is not the expectation here.
2. Flexibility and Autonomy
As an independent contractor (not a hospital employee), you can build your practice the way you want: combine hospital and outpatient work, pick up ER shifts, do sports medicine, palliative care, or build a niche clinic (David Gravelle, [00:31:02 - 00:31:07]).
3. Integrated Teams & Support
Allied health professionals, electronic medical records, and family health teams are the norm. You’re not working alone—nurses, social workers, mental health supports, are all part of the package.
4. No Insurance or Billing Headaches
Say goodbye to noncompetes, restrictive covenants, and chasing collections. The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) is a straightforward, single payer system (Rob Beck, [00:37:24 - 00:37:29]).
FAQs: What Doctors Want to Know
Cost of Living?
Prices vary, but affordability and safety are key reasons people choose Ontario communities.
Schools and Family Support?
Recruitment includes guidance on schools, neighborhoods, and everything your family needs to settle and thrive.
How Much Autonomy?
You set your own schedule, can shift practice style, and enjoy real support from your medical community.
Patient Relationships?
There’s a deep sense of gratitude and partnership from patients, especially in rural and under-served areas (Melanie Delion, [00:36:33 - 00:36:48]).
Final Thoughts & How To Get Started
If you’re dreaming of a medical career that lets you balance work, family, and genuine engagement in your community, Ontario might just be your place. I’m grateful to David Gravelle and Melanie Delion for their passion and expertise—and to everyone who tunes in hoping for something more than “just another job.”
Ready to take the first step?
Check out opra.ca, reach out to a recruiter, and see what Canada’s largest province has to offer. And if you have questions, DM me on social media or email me at rob@interestingmd.com—if I can’t answer it, I’ll connect you with the right people!
Until next time—keep finding balance, keep building community, and keep medicine interesting.
— Dr. Rob Beck, The Interesting MD
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