Strathroy Family Practice
SITE DIRECTOR BIO
Dr. Phil Vandewalle has been practicing comprehensive family medicine including office based care, in-patient hospital care, emergency room care, intra-partum obstetrics, nursing home care, home visits and occupational health in the town of Strathroy since 1994. He is currently Chief of Medicine at the local hospital, Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital. He served on the inaugural board of the Thames Valley Family Health Team for six years: three years served as Chair and prior to that two years as vice Chair, and one year as secretary.
Dr. Vandewalle is married and together with his wife, they are raising three children (high school and university age). He enjoys reading, watching sci-fi movies, gardening, Lego, visiting friends and travelling with the family (when COVID is not a concern). Always one to give back to community, Dr. Vandewalle has served 12 years on the inaugural board of L’Arche London, chairing for three years. L’Arche is an international faith-based organization that serves to enhance the profile of and care for the needs of developmentally disabled individuals. Interacting and working with disabled individuals has taught him many skills in life and allowed him to grow as an individual.
TRAINING SITE/PRACTICE DESCRIPTION
Strathroy, population of 24.000 is a community approximately 30-40 km from London. The community has a population of diverse ethnic backgrounds including Dutch and Portuguese. There are a number of light industries within the community and several auto parts manufacturing plants. In addition, the surrounding area is a busy farming area (tobacco, vegetables, fruit and traditional crops). Strathroy has a number of recreational opportunities including three hockey arenas, a very active soccer organization, as well as softball, slo-pitch and fast-ball leagues. Strathroy has a "River Walk" walking trail that many people (and their dogs) enjoy. We are about a 40 minutes drive from Lake Huron (Port Franks/Grand Bend).
The office is located in a new modern building completed in 2020. The physicians are part of Strathroy Family Health Organization (SFHO). We have three sites: The Strathroy site is the biggest site. There are 7 full-time physicians working out of this office (4 full time academic physicians and 3 adjunct physicians). There are an additional two physicians working in the Ailsa Craig site and one physician working in the Parkhill Site. The office includes a welcoming waiting room, spacious exam rooms, a large conference room, and a procedure room for the physicians and staff to work out of. We boast an air exchange system better than most hospitals which has been handy related to COVID. The SFHO works collaboratively with many IHP’s as part of the Thames Valley Family Health Team.
Website: http://www.strathroy-caradoc.ca clinic page: West Middlesex Health Centre | Strathroy ON | Facebook
PATIENT PROFILE
Typical rural population with a large Dutch and Portuguese population.
INTERESTS OF FACULTY
- Emergency medicine
- Obstetrics: six family doctors and one Obstetrician provide intrapartum obstetrics
- Occupational Health
- Primary Care Procedures
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
- Faculty to resident ratio: 1:2
- Emergency medicine: Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital
- Hospital care: Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital
- Palliative care: Patients’ homes and Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital
- Obstetrics: Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital
- Elderly care: Office, nearby long-term care facilities
- Procedures: Office, Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital
- House calls are part of regular patient care
- Academic activities:
- Teaching session every Wednesday morning (at SWMHC 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) and most Friday lunch hours
RESOURCES ON-SITE
- Electronic Medical Records (Accuro)
- Conference room
- Staff lounge
TYPICAL WEEK FOR RESIDENT
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
|
|
08:00 - 10:00 |
Hospital Rounds |
Hospital Rounds |
Hospital Rounds |
Hospital Rounds |
Hospital Rounds |
Hospital Rounds (for resident on-call) |
Hospital Rounds (for resident on-call) |
|
10:00 - 12:30 |
Office |
Office |
SWMHC Teaching |
Office |
Selective |
||
|
13:30 - 17:00 |
Office |
Office |
Academic Half Day |
E.R. |
Teaching (12:00-13:30) Office (13:30-16:00) |
||
|
Evening |
OTHER INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS
On-Call:
- 1 in 2 to 3 weekends
Information about Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital
https://mhalliance.on.ca/
https://mhalliance.on.ca/about/
