In 2023, the Touchstone Institute and the Ontario Government introduced the Practice Ready Ontario (PRO) program to help integrate internationally trained physicians into Ontario’s healthcare workforce more quickly by eliminating the need for re-education programs.
Group Health Centre (GHC) played an active and foundational role in bringing PRO physicians to Sault Ste. Marie. “GHC was among the first organizations to volunteer to participate in the program, engaging directly in the first cohort when the Ministry of Health (MOH) opened the pathway,” explained Dr. Stewart, CEO and board chair of the Algoma District Medical Group (ADMG).
Through this program, three experienced physicians, Dr. Haque, Dr. Shawon, and Dr. Adibi, have brought their skills, dedication, and global perspectives to patients at GHC.
Dr. Haque
In 2017, Dr. Haque and her family immigrated to Canada as permanent residents, seeking new opportunities and a better quality of life as her children grew older. Determined to continue her profession, she undertook the demanding process required of internationally trained physicians. After successfully completing multiple qualifying examinations, she pursued the PRO program.
Drawn to opportunities in Northern Ontario, Dr. Haque chose Sault Ste. Marie because the accessibility, natural beauty, and strong sense of community immediately appealed to her. The welcoming and supportive team she met at GHC during her interview confirmed that she had found the right place to establish her first independent family practice in Canada.
Since joining GHC, Dr. Haque describes her transition into family medicine as one of her proudest accomplishments. With exceptional mentorship, strong nursing support, and dedicated Information Technology and Electronic Medical Record specialists, she felt well supported every step of the way. This collaborative environment allowed her to focus on delivering high-quality care while confidently navigating a new healthcare system.
Dr. Haque has observed notable differences between practicing medicine overseas and in Canada. In the United Arab Emirates, much of her work focused on acute and curative care for short-term expatriate residents. In contrast, the Canadian healthcare system prioritizes preventive medicine, continuity of care, and comprehensive social supports, especially for seniors. The rostered patient model, shared electronic medical records, and coordinated interprofessional communication create a structured system that fosters collaboration, transparency, and ongoing learning. She values this approach, recognizing its benefits for both patients and providers.
Beyond her professional life, Dr. Haque has been pleasantly surprised by the consistent infrastructure and quality of life across Canada, including in Northern Ontario. In the Sault, she has discovered breathtaking landscapes, serene parks, and beautiful waterfalls. Most importantly, she has been moved by the kindness of the community. Seeing seniors live independently with strong social supports has been particularly inspiring.
Grateful for the opportunity to re-establish her career in Canada, Dr. Haque values the support of the MOH, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), Touchstone Institute, and GHC. She looks forward to continuing to serve the community with dedication, compassion, and sincerity, proud to call it home and honoured to contribute to its health and well-being.
Dr. Shawon
For Dr. Shawon, the decision to move to Canada was driven by both her professional values and personal beliefs. Canada’s strong commitment to fair healthcare and community support resonated deeply with her. She was drawn to a system designed to put patients first, one where collaboration, respect, and teamwork shape everyday practice. Equally important, she felt welcomed by the community and wanted to establish her life in a place where diversity is valued, and people genuinely care for one another.
The program was an essential part of her journey. For Dr. Shawon, it offered guidance through the licensing process and provided valuable support during a critical stage of her career. It served as a pathway for her to apply her knowledge and skills to Ontario’s healthcare system and to care for patients in need.
Today, Dr. Shawon is proudly practising at GHC, where she established her very first family practice. She describes the organization as exceptionally well-organized and supportive. From ensuring clinical and community resources were in place, to helping her family settle into life in Sault Ste. Marie, GHC provided support that made her transition seamless. This foundation allowed her to focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality, patient-centred care and serving the community with dedication.
Dr. Shawon has observed important differences between practicing medicine in her home country and in Canada. In Canada, family medicine is highly structured and supported by professional bodies such as the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and the CPSO, which provide guidance and standards to help new family physicians navigate their practices confidently. Here, primary care providers serve as the central point of care, building long-term, meaningful relationships with patients and coordinating referrals to specialists when needed.
In contrast, her home country does not have a well-established family practice or primary care system, and patients may directly see specialists without referrals in the private sector. Dr. Shawon values the Canadian model’s structured, coordinated approach, with its strong focus on continuity of care and lasting patient relationships.
Outside of clinical practice, what has surprised Dr. Shawon most about life in Canada is its cultural diversity. Every day, she encounters people from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing unique perspectives on health, life, and tradition. She finds it inspiring to work in such a multicultural environment, where learning flows both ways, between physician and patient, colleague and friend.
When asked about her proudest moments, Dr. Shawon doesn’t point to a single milestone. Instead, she reflects on the small but meaningful interactions that happen daily. A colleague’s warm greeting. A patient’s heartfelt gratitude. One moment in particular stands out: during a routine follow-up visit, a patient held her hands and expressed confidence in their health because she was their physician. For Dr. Shawon, it was a profound reminder that medicine is not only about diagnoses or treatment plans; it is about trust, responsibility, and human connection.
Becoming part of the Sault community has been very meaningful for Dr. Shawon and her family. What started as a big step, establishing her first family practice in a new country, has grown into a real sense of belonging. Welcomed warmly from the beginning, she now considers Sault Ste. Marie home and remains dedicated to supporting its health and well-being.
Dr. Adibi
When Dr. Adibi arrived in Canada in 2018, he had a clear goal: to build a better life for his family and to practise medicine within a high-quality healthcare system. The journey was challenging, but by 2025, his perseverance paid off when he was accepted into the PRO program. That milestone marked a turning point, opening opportunities for him to bring years of experience and dedication to Canadian patients and communities.
Today, Dr. Adibi practices family medicine at GHC. Reflecting on his time at GHC, he describes it as “extremely rewarding.” He credits GHC’s highly professional and exceptionally well-organized team for creating an environment where patient care runs smoothly and efficiently. From day one, he felt welcomed and supported by colleagues, nurses, and staff. That collaborative spirit has not only eased his transition into Canadian practice but also enabled him to continue learning and making meaningful contributions to the health and well-being of the community.
Dr. Adibi brings valuable insights shaped by years of practice in Iran. He notes that the structure of family medicine in Canada differs significantly from what he experienced in his home country. In Canada, primary care providers serve as the main point of care, working closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity and comprehensive treatment. In Iran, care can be more fragmented, and documentation is often less detailed. The widespread use of electronic medical records in Canada enhances communication and accuracy in patient management, supporting a more integrated approach to care.
The Canadian system’s focus on teamwork, preventative care, and patient-centred decision-making has been both a valuable learning experience and a deeply rewarding part of his practice.
Beyond medicine, life in Canada, especially in Sault Ste. Marie, has brought unexpected joys. Coming from a large city in Iran, Dr. Adibi has been struck by the sense of peace and the slower pace of life here. He values the strong sense of community and the warmth of the people he meets. Surrounded by lakes, forests, and wide-open outdoor spaces, he finds daily life both refreshing and inspiring.
Among his proudest moments since joining GHC has been the gratitude expressed by his patients and the unwavering support of the GHC team. Seeing patients feel cared for and valued reinforces why he chose this path.
The arrival of these three dedicated physicians emphasizes the vital role that internationally trained doctors have in enhancing Ontario’s healthcare system and ensuring patients have timely access to comprehensive family medicine.
GHC is excited about the opportunities this program offers and is grateful to the new physicians who have joined the team, expanding access to primary care in our community.