About the Physician Recruitment Program

Since 1998, the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has championed family physician recruitment as a critical priority for our region. Access to primary care is essential not only to the health and wellbeing of our residents, but also to the economic vitality of our business community. As our population continues to grow, so too does the urgency to attract and retain family physicians and other healthcare professionals.

What began as a volunteer-driven initiative led by committed Chamber members evolved into a dedicated, staff-supported program with the launch of the Chamber Health Care Resources Council (CHCRC) in 2006. With sustained financial investment from local municipalities and the local business community, the Chamber has been able to significantly expand and strengthen its physician recruitment and retention efforts.

Why This Matters to Business

Access to primary healthcare is a key economic driver. When employees and their families cannot find a family physician, it impacts workforce attraction, retention, productivity, and overall quality of life. Businesses are increasingly competing not just on jobs, but on community readiness, including access to healthcare.

What We’ve Accomplished

A cornerstone of the Chamber’s recruitment efforts is the Annual Family Medicine Resident Weekend. This signature initiative connects family medicine residents with our community, highlighting the region as a welcoming, innovative, and leading-edge place to build a practice. The weekend also supports physicians’ partners by introducing them to local employment and networking opportunities.

Since 1998, over 300 family physicians have been recruited to our community.
While progress has been made, the need remains significant and the Chamber remains firmly committed to this critical work.

This program also wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible sponsors.

Investing in a Legacy of Care

As it celebrates 140 years of serving the local business community, the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce is launching a year-long fundraising campaign with an ambitious and meaningful goal: raising $140,000 in support of local physician recruitment initiatives.

Running from January through December 2026, the campaign invites Chamber members, corporate partners, and the broader business community to play an active role in shaping the region’s long-term economic and community wellbeing. The funds raised will directly support efforts to attract and retain physicians, helping to ensure access to healthcare for a rapidly growing region.

This is a Milestone Worth Investing In

Considering Kitchener-Waterloo?

If you’re a Physician who is considering relocating to the Greater Kitchener Waterloo area, please contact Jenna Petker to set-up a tour, phone call, or to assist with introductions and meetings.