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The Times Advocate, 2006-06-14, Page 22 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, June 14, 2006 Medical students experience Funds increased Exeter during `Discovery Week By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — First year medical students at the University of Western Ontario learned last week what rural medi- cine is like. Katie Monkman, who grew up in Oakville, and Chris Fortin, originally from Midland, spent four days in Exeter working at South Huron Hospital and the med- ical centre, working with local medical staff during `Discovery Week', which exposes medical students to rural practice. Both Monkman and Fortin are keeping their options open when it comes to their medical careers. Monkman studied bio- chemistry at Queen's University before taking medical school at Western, while Fortin has a physiology degree from Western and a law degree from the University of Toronto. For most first year medical students, `Discovery Week' was their first exposure to a clinical setting, Monkman said, describ- ing the week as "inter- esting" and one that gave students a new perspective on medi- cine. South Huron Hospital diagnostic imaging staffer and doctor recruitment commit- tee member Joanne Bowen, second from right, gets some special treatment from University of Western Ontario medical students Katie Monkman, left, and Chris Fortin, right, while Dr. Mark Nelham looks on.The students visited Exeter to gain experience in rural medicine. (photo/Scott Nixon) Growing up in a small town, Fortin said he has seen the respect that doctors have in rural areas and he has given rural medicine some consideration. "Nothing's written in stone yet," he said, adding he may eventu- ally get into sports med- icine, while Monkman said she is considering internal medicine or a family practice. "Everyone's been great," Fortin said of his experience in Exeter, adding that local med- ical staff have been will- ing to give him and Monkman as much exposure to rural medi- cine as they desired. He added there is a real "sense of communi- ty" here, while Monkman likes the fact that the staff know many of their patients. The two medical stu- dents spent time in South Huron's emer- gency department, the medical clinic, the hos- pital's lab, the x-ray imagine department and took blood pressure at the South Huron Adult Trade Fair. They also spoke to the local doctor recruitment committee. Monkman and Fortin were also impressed that the hospital's lab techs allowed them to draw their blood. "That was brave of them," Monkman says. They also spoke to stu- dents at South Huron District High School about medical school. As for the summer, Monkman is planning a five-week trip to Europe with four of her class- mates, while Fortin is doing an internship in the legal department for the World Health Organization's regional office in Copenhagen, Denmark. Both said they had a great time in Exeter. Five options presented before council Continued from front page amount of people in the "It's a judgement call the most fair thing Giberson explained. In Option #3, the charge is made up of a combination of frontage (40 per cent) and connection (40 per cent), while 20 per cent would be deferred for future development in the village. Under that scenario, the average lot in Crediton would pay $14,962.35, while the average lot in Centralia would pay $17,236.48. Under the deferral, 20 per cent of the costs will not be borne directly by the property owners and could be spread out in the user rates or all of South Huron could fund it. Option #4 is another combination of frontage (30 per cent), connec- tion (50 per cent) and future devel- opment (20 per cent). That option would see the average Crediton lot pay $15,478.98, while the average lot in Centralia would pay $17,184.57. Finally, Option #5 sees a 60 per cent connection charge and 20 per cent each for the frontage and the deferred future development. In Crediton, the average property would pay $15,995.60, and in Centralia the average property would pay $17,132.67. Concerned residents once again packed the gallery of the munici- pal office and an approximately villages. one hour discussion was held on on what's the subject. to do," Giberson, pointing out the pro- ject has to be done by the end of 2007, said the earliest the municipality could 'It's a judgement call on what's the most fair thing to do." - DON GIBERSON SOUTH HURON OPERATIONS MANAGER tender for the project would be sometime this fall. He said some construction such as the pump station could start over the winter, but roads wouldn't be dug up during the winter. While time is an issue, the municipality is concerned once it starts construction, it won't be eli- gible for grants. South Huron Mayor Rob Morley said the project can't start until the municipality knows if it is getting a grant. He said South Huron is looking into grants, as is Huron - Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell, whom he keeps in regular con- tact with. A number of audi- ence members asked why the municipality doesn't simply wait until the MOE forces the project to go ahead. Giberson said the levels of E. Coli in the storm sewer system are conclusive proof the source is human and sewage problems don't improve, they "get progres- sively worse." Some in the audience suggested every septic system in both villages should be tested. Morley said that would probably double the cost of the project. He said the project is for the bet- terment of the residents. Also, the longer the project is delayed, the more expensive it gets — Morley pointed out that the cost of the project has risen from $4 million to $6 million in two years. Audience members asked if there is a precedent in which a municipality refused to go ahead with a project and the government shut down a town. Some also asked what would happen if resi- dents refused to pay for the pro- ject or blocked the roads and refused to let trucks through town. Another resident said he'd go bankrupt if he had to pay for the sewers and that 90 per cent of the people can't afford it. Speaking of the December 2007 dead- line, Giberson said he thinks if the munici- pality is showing "good faith" and is proceeding with the project but not fin- ished by the end of 2007, the gov- ernment will give South Huron an extension. He also said South Huron is in negotiations with Huron County on the reconstruction of Crediton Road, which is scheduled to be repaved and is the county's responsibility. A couple of members of the audi- ence thanked councillors for their efforts. Sewage problems don't improve, they "get progressively worse" - GIBERSON Continued from front page said. Hunt said she has never seen multi-year funding in her 32 years in the health care field. She said it makes the hospital staffs job easier and will allow the hospi- tal to better respond to patient needs. "We can be proactive instead of reactive," she said, adding, "It really is an accomplishment." In the past, Mitchell said the province was trying to play "catch up" with health care funding. While there are many challenges faced by the health care sector, Mitchell and Hunt agreed multi-year funding is a step in the right direction. Mitchell also thanked South Huron Hospital's staff, board and volunteers for making the hospital work. "We can't do it without the community's help," she said. The Huron -Bruce announcements Friday were part of $2 9 million in additional funding across Huron - Bruce. Huron Bruce hospitals will receive $71,576,422 for operations in 2007/08 and $73,310,422 in 2008/09. Hospitals in Ontario will receive $13.35 billion in operating funding this fiscal year, $13.9 billion in 2007/08, and $14.5 billion in 2008/09. Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell visited South Hospital Friday afternoon to announce funding through 2008/09, only the second time in history that multi-year funding has been announced.With Mitchell, left, are hospital chief executive officer Deb Hunt and hospital board chairperson Glenn Bartlett. (photo/Scott Nixon) Huron REGIONAL WRAP Amazing Race SEAFORTH — No teams from the Seaforth area have signed up for this year's United Way's Amazing Race, according to The Huron Expositor. Kim Payne, executive director of the Huron County United Way says the race scheduled June 24 will go ahead no matter how many teams are signed up. "We're up to about 15 teams, but we're a long way from the 30 we want. "We'd like a minimum of 20 if possible," Payne adds. Teams will race to several different locations in Huron County, across 8,000 acres where they will be tested both mentally and physically. A $500 entrance fee is needed from each team. Interested participants can contact the Huron United Way at 519-524-7900 or visit www. huron. unitedway. ca OPP to host derby BENMILLER — The annual Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire fishing derby is June 17, reports the Clinton News -Record. The derby held at Falls Reserve Conservation Area in Benmiller will stress the importance of "catch and release." Children 16 and under can participate in the event which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information or to register contact 519- 524-8314. Park updates GODERICH — Harbour Park in Goderich is receiv- ing $20,000 for improvements this summer from the Goderich Lions Club, according to the Goderich Signal Star. Alvin McGee, Goderich Lions Club chairperson says they are planning to improve the stairs and enhance the park entrance at the west end. Funds for this project were raised through fundraising events by the Lions Club, including the sale of grocery prize tickets, the July beef barbecue and Young Canada Week.