Thunder Bay's only dermatologist is retiring at the end of 2015 and despite his best efforts over three decades, he's been unsuccessful in recruiting another specialist to relocate to the city.
"I've been here for 30 years and I've been actively recruiting to get someone to come up and help for 30 years and I've been unsuccessful," said .Dr. Ron Mahler
"I'm nearing my retirement and that's going to leave a big hole in the city because there will not be a full-time dermatologist in Thunder Bay when I leave."
Mahler doubts locums dropping in and out of the community will be able to serve the increasing number of people living with skin disease. He suggested those needing medical skin care will have to travel to the nearest dermatologists in either Winnipeg or Sudbury.
"The issue is not unique to Thunder Bay. It's an issue that's actually North America-wide. The demand for dermatology has increased exponentially because people are living longer, the elderly get a lot of skin problems, the incidence of cancer is increasing."
He said dermatology specialist graduates tend to work in larger centres, partly because there's collegial support but also for lifestyle reasons.
"People, for a reason that's foreign to me, like downtown Toronto and that's where they stay," he said.
Mahler pointed out medical schools are beginning to respond to the lacking supply to meet the demand for dermatologists but until that happens, he suspects Thunder Bay will remain without one.
