Leamington District Memorial Hospital's newest obstetrician-gynecologist hopes to have his practice up and running in late June.
Dr. Ken Ogah comes to the region from Sydney, Nova Scotia.
He says he has heard about the obstetrics unit's history -- in 2014, it was threatened with closure -- and it doesn't discourage him.
"I understand what the unit needs [is] stability, continuity, which is what I believe my coming here is going to offer," he says.
Chatham-Kent-Leamington was also recently designated a high needs area for doctors, something Ogah thinks should be an advantage for any physician looking to develop their skills.
"I think each community has its advantages. The 'underserviced-ness,' as I understand it, should be an opportunity to grow and develop," he says. "Not every single person has to go to a big centre.
Just as Ogah arrives, the town's only existing obstetrician plans to close her practice. Dr. Angelina Chan has told hospital officials she'll leave this summer.
