*Home-grown physicians return

Quality healthcare, the chance to work in a progressive community hospital, and keeping services close to home in west Durham and east Toronto have drawn the latest two physicians to Rouge Valley Health System.

“We're pleased with the value that these two physicians will bring to our outstanding medical team. Their work will make a significant impact on our diverse, growing communities,” says Rik Ganderton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rouge Valley Health System. “We are committed to being the best at what we do for our communities. Adding to our physician complement is part of our strategy to be the best community acute care hospital.”

 
- Surgeon Joins Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering -

 
One of the reasons that Dr. George Xeroulis became a physician was because of his paediatrician. “He was a fantastic physician and a great role model,” said Dr. Xeroulis, who grew up in Scarborough and recently joined Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital campus as a general surgeon.

It was during his training and exposure to minimally invasive surgery at Rouge Valley Centenary, with surgeons Dr. Jason Wong and Dr. Michael Chan that Dr. Xeroulis decided to specialize in this area. “I was very impressed at how quickly the patients recovered and how much less pain they had,” explained Dr. Xeroulis, who is also fluent in Greek.

Now, advancing laparoscopic surgery at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering, and improving access to laparoscopic treatments for patients within their home community is one of his priorities. Dr. Xeroulis, who is getting married in October, earned his doctor of medicine at the University of Western Ontario in London. Before coming to RVHS, Dr. Xeroulis had completed a one-year laparoscopic surgery fellowship at the University of Toronto. His masters of education for health professionals at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education allows Dr. Xeroulis to use his knowledge of adult learning principles to properly educate his patients about their procedures and the care they will be receiving when they come to the hospital.

“I really enjoy the community feeling I have experienced here at RVAP. The staff is great, and the patients have been wonderful to work with. Patients have already expressed to me how happy they are to be able to access laparoscopic surgery in their community,” said Dr. Xeroulis.

- Emergency physician loves the adrenaline rush at Rouge Valley Centenary -

Emergency department physician Dr. Elancheliyan Ambalavanar loves the variety of patients and cases he is presented with at Rouge Valley Centenary hospital campus. He says being a physician is an opportunity to serve the public.

“I enjoy being able to help people to get well. Each day is different in emergency, and I enjoy the high adrenaline environment that you often find here,” said Dr. Ambalavanar. Born in Sri Lanka, Dr. Ambalavanar grew up in Scarborough. He says he's especially excited to be practicing medicine at Rouge Valley Centenary, his community hospital growing up. 

“I'm happy to be treating patients in such a multiethnic community. I thought it would be great place to start and develop my career. By working hard and efficiently, I hope to make a great contribution here as an emergency physician,” said Dr. Ambalavanar.

Dr. Ambalavanar, who began his duties in July, is fluent in a number of languages, including Tamil and Sinhalese, two of Sri Lanka's main languages. His ability to connect with the many patients the come through the emergency department, especially those who speak Tamil, is invaluable. Dr. Ambalavanar will be working in emergency at both Rouge Valley hospital campuses.

Dr. Ambalavanar earned his medical degree at the University of Sri Jayawardenpura in Sri Lanka, and completed his residency in family medicine at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital.

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ROUGE VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM - THE BEST AT WHAT WE DO

RVHS is an excellent acute care community hospital, with many programs including 24/7/365 emergency, cardiac care and mental health. Rouge Valley consists of several health sites, including two community hospital campuses: Rouge Valley Centenary in east Toronto; Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering in west Durham. Together a team of physicians including 224 general practitioners and 325 specialists, 1,000 nurses and many other professionals, care for a broad spectrum of health conditions. In consultation and partnership with community members, other hospitals, health care organizations, the Central East Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Rouge Valley continues to improve its programs catering to the needs of the growing communities of east Toronto, Ajax, Pickering and Whitby.

 
For more information, please contact:

David Brazeau
Director
Public Affairs and Community Relations
Rouge Valley Health System
647-294-8885
dbrazeau@rougevalley.ca  
www.rougevalley.ca