Eighteen months after relocating from England to practice family medicine in Kinmount, Dr. Lesslie Ponraja said he still pinches himself daily to make sure he isn’t living a dream.
The doctor arrived in cottage country in February 2023 after months of conferring with volunteers from the Kinmount and District Health Centre. He made initial contact with the group during the pandemic, wanting to escape the busy hustle and bustle of city life for something more calming and serene.
It only took one visit for Ponraja to realize a move to Ontario’s Highlands was exactly what the doctor ordered.
“I love it here – having spent 20-odd years in England working in big towns I needed a change. I have always wanted something different, to take a step back and live a more balanced life. Being in Kinmount allows me to do that,” Ponraja said.
Rather than working lengthy shifts six days’ per week, Ponraja has a steady schedule at his Kinmount office, open regular business hours four days a week. It’s still busy – Ponraja is the only doctor at the clinic. He assumed all of Dr. Elena Mihu’s patients when she retired last August, estimating he has close to 2,000 people on his rota.
He said the clinic is actively recruiting, with several leads on physicians currently working overseas. Having been through the immigration process recently, Ponraja said he’s able to assist any potential doctor with their move.
Ponraja recently earned his supervisor status from the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons, enabling him to bring students working on their degrees to Kinmount. He guided two students this summer – one from Queen’s and the other from the University of Ottawa.
“It’s showing them what it means to be a family physician – the things we look for, procedures we do. Any junior doctor who wants to come and spend time learning, we can offer that here now,” Ponraja said, hoping that could be a gateway for Ontario-trained physicians to move north.
Discussing his practice, Ponraja said he’s proud to have brought several new services to Kinmount recently. With a specialty in orthopedics, Ponraja has been able to assist patients experiencing issues with their bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.
He launched new joint injection and minor procedure clinics last summer and has started to do biopsies for skin cancers this year.
“I’m able to do cortisone shots for people with arthritis, when before they had to go to Lindsay or Peterborough. The stuff I do investigating lumps and bumps has been popular too. It’s eased a lot of pressure on our hospitals because now people come to see me instead,” Ponraja said. “Patients seem to be happy – I’ve brought in services that have helped bridge gaps in healthcare.”
Ponraja said he plans to introduce more services when the clinic secures other physicians.
When away from the practice, Ponraja said he enjoys spending time outdoors and on the water. His favourite hobbies include kayaking and fishing.
“I like the relaxed lifestyle. It’s so calm and peaceful. If there’s a doctor who really wants to have a balanced lifestyle, this is the perfect place. Not everybody is made for the city. I did that for 20 years and it doesn’t really attract me anymore. I want to be closer to nature, closer to people,” Ponraja said. “There’s a life out there not many doctors have the opportunity to see.
“We all go through different phases in our life and careers – I think I’m in the best phase now. I know I made the right choice coming here. Kinmount is home,” he added.
