Kenora doctor named Ontario ER Physician of the Year

One of Kenora’s own doctors is walking away with some hardware while being recognized by the province of Ontario.

Dr. Shannon Wiebe was recently nominated by her peers and has been recognized as the 2022 Ontario Rural ER Physician of the Year.

Dr. Wiebe has many talents as a family doctor and wears many different hats. She regularly works in the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Emergency Department (LWDH). She covers her own patients when they are admitted to the hospital and also works as a hospitalist, cares for her nursing home patients, and also provides cancer care.

Her most recent accomplishment has been taking on a leadership role with the hospital on the Medical Quality Assurance Committee. Dr. Wiebe is a busy mom to two children and was the only female award recipient this year.

These distinguished awards are coordinated by the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) and recognize excellence in specific areas within emergency medicine, including advocacy, education, research, and professional practice.

Hospital President and CEO, Ray Racette says she shows a lot of compassion and care for her patients.

“Dr. Wiebe was born and raised in Kenora and it is more than evident to her patients and colleagues that she immensely cares for this community,” says Racette. “We are incredibly fortunate to have physicians like Dr. Wiebe committed to providing amazing care here.”

Colleague Dr. Sarah Giles notes that she had the privilege of knowing Dr. Weibe since their residency.

“I have always looked up to her. She provides world-class care, is organized, has a huge heart, and does so many things that keep the doors open in the hospital,” says Giles.

The Emergency Department at Lake of the Woods District Hospital provides 24-hour 365 days a year care to over 20,000 persons each year requiring immediate or urgent assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for injury and/or illness. LWDH has had three doctors receive the ER Physician of the Year award in the past five years, including Dr. Sean Moore and Dr. Sarah Giles.