Dr. Eliza Moldovan, a family physician, participated in the March Welcome Collaborative

Dr. Eliza Moldovan, a family physician, participated in the March Welcome Collaborative after moving from the UK to Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

The Welcome Collaborative is a 3-day orientation program of intensive discussion and training, intended to help physicians trained outside of Canada settle into their new places of practice.

“I think all the sessions in the Welcome Collaborative were important and gave me a bit of insight into what it’s like to practice medicine in Nova Scotia,” says Dr. Moldovan.

“I think putting a face to all of those names was even more important than the sessions. It becomes a bit more human, and as a family physician, I appreciate having that connection and knowing whom to approach if I have a query or concern.”

One of the sessions that stood out for Dr. Moldovan was the supervision pathway session led by Dr. Keri McAdoo, Deputy Registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.

“While some may view supervision as a constraint, I see it as a privilege. As a physician transitioning to a new country, self-doubt can be a challenge. However, having a supervisor to turn to for guidance and support is a reassuring aspect of my practice,” explains Dr. Moldovan.

Dr. Moldovan has been practising in the province since January. She says the biggest surprise when starting practice in Nova Scotia was the kindness she received from patients.

“In the UK, patients have a different attitude toward physicians, so when I started practicing in Nova Scotia, I was most surprised by the kindness of my patients,” says Dr. Moldovan.