Dr. Muhammad Afzal

News Release

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and Chatham Family Health Team Welcomes Two New Family Physicians

Chatham-Kent: July 22, 2014 — Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) and the Chatham-Kent Family Health Team welcome two new family physicians to the community – Dr. Naveed Hassan and Dr. Muhammad Afzal.

Dr. Naveed Hassan completed his medical school in Pakistan. His residency took place in the United Kingdom (UK) and he has been living there with his family for several years. Dr. Hassan has been working towards moving to Canada. After visiting several locations, he was really impressed with Chatham-Kent. “The people were so friendly during our visit. The Wallaceburg Family Health Team was exactly what I was looking for and I quickly knew this is where I wanted to practice,” explained Dr. Hassan.

Dr. Hassan has settled into Chatham-Kent with his wife and young family. “The weather has been beautiful since we have arrived and we are enjoying the lovely beaches and friendly people. Colleagues and the community have given us such a warm welcome. We have settled in much quicker than expected.” Dr. Hassan will be working at the Wallaceburg Family Health Team and in the Emergency Department for both Sydenham and Chatham campuses.

Dr. Muhammad Afzal is from the UK and completed his medical school in Pakistan, as well. He has been practicing in the UK for a number of years. He visited Chatham-Kent with Dr. Hassan and found the community to be a perfect fit for his wife and four young children.

“I’m very excited to be part of the medical community in Chatham-Kent. My family and I have adjusted well to our new home. The children have already made friends which is a telling sign of how warm and kind this community is,” said Dr. Afzal. “I am looking forward to practicing medicine in the community and making this area our home for many years to come. I would like to thank the recruitment team, Chatham-Kent Family Health Team and everyone in Wallaceburg and Chatham hospitals for all their support.”

Laura Johnson, Chatham-Kent Family Health Team Executive Director, is thrilled with the recruitment of Drs. Hassan and Afzal. “The Chatham-Kent Family Health Team (FHT) is so pleased to welcome these two new physicians to our FHT and to the community of Chatham-Kent,” she added. “They are a most welcome addition to Wallaceburg as they will help relieve the physician shortage in this area.”

Fannie Vavoulis, Medical Recruiter and Education Coordinator, is pleased with the decision Drs. Hassan and Afzal made to come to the community. “We worked very hard to bring both of these physicians to Chatham-Kent. They are highly-skilled and competent physicians to have as part of our team. I welcome them and their families to our community and look forward to working with them in the future.”

For more information, contact:
Fannie Vavoulis, Medical Recruiter Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
519-437-6143
fvavoulis@ckha.on.ca