City Signs Four New Doctors to Doctor Recruitment Program

The City of Belleville is pleased to welcome two new physicians to the community through the Belleville Physician Recruitment Program. 

Dr. Prasadika Labutale, a family physician, and Dr. Namal Labutale, a psychiatrist, have signed agreements with the City and will establish their practices at the Magnus Health Centre, located at 274 Dundas St. E. 

“Dr. Prasadika Labutale and Dr. Namal Labutale are experienced physicians who will be opening their practice here in Belleville this fall.  Family medicine and psychiatry are two of the most needed skill sets in medicine, and we couldn’t be more pleased this husband-and-wife team will be offering their expertise to our residents,” said Mayor Neil Ellis. “Council is very pleased to welcome Dr. Prasadika Labutale and Dr. Namal Labutale to Belleville and we know our community will make them feel welcome and included.” 

“We are delighted to be relocating from the UK to Belleville to join this wonderful community and its healthcare family,” said Dr. Prasadika Labutale and Dr. Namal Labutale. “We also wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to Belleville City Council, especially Mayor Neil Ellis and manager Karen Poste, for their encouragement and support throughout this transition. Your guidance has made us feel welcomed from the very beginning.  A special thank you goes to the Magnus Health Centre Directors — Abhinav Yadev, Mani Kaur, and Nazik Bashir — for their unwavering support, kindness, and help in integrating smoothly into the local healthcare system. Belleville already feels like home, and we look forward to beginning this new chapter with gratitude, excitement, and a sincere commitment to serving this deserving community.” 

The City of Belleville is pleased to announce the signing of Dr. Sara Haq into the Belleville Family Physician Recruitment Program. Dr. Haq is currently a Queen’s University Family Medicine Resident and is working toward her full license by the end of 2027. As an International Medical Graduate, Dr. Haq is anxious to start her family medicine career here in Belleville.  

“The City of Belleville is thrilled Dr. Sara Haq and her family have decided to settle in Belleville and raise their family here. Dr. Haq will be a welcome addition to our team of family physicians and she will be starting her practice at the beginning of 2028,” said Mayor Neil Ellis. “Council is very pleased to welcome Dr. Sara Haq to Belleville and we look forward to showing her and her family all that Belleville and the Quinte Region have to offer.” 

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to join the Belleville community and look forward to building my family medicine practice here. I am excited to develop long-term relationships with my patients and contribute to the health and well-being of the community. My family and I are also looking forward to becoming part of Belleville and the Quinte Region,” said Dr. Sara Haq.

The City of Belleville is pleased to announce the signing of Dr. Mary Hoekstra into the Belleville Family Physician Recruitment Program.  Dr. Hoekstra was born and raised in Belleville and has recently completed her residency training in Family Medicine. She will be starting this fall as a Primary Care Physician at the new Belleville Neighbourhood Clinic, affiliated with Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre. 

“The City of Belleville is proud to welcome home Dr. Mary Hoekstra – we are so pleased she has chosen to come home to care for her community. Her knowledge of the city and her connection to the people of Belleville will help to make her an even more valuable part of our community.” said Mayor Neil Ellis. “Council is very pleased to welcome Dr. Mary Hoekstra to Belleville and we look forward to watching her as she fulfills her dream of being a family doctor.” 

“I’m thrilled to be back home and enjoying all that this community has to offer,” said Dr. Hoekstra.

Although healthcare and physician recruitment are not a municipal responsibility, the City of Belleville has recognized the need and implemented one of the most successful physician recruitment programs in the province, recruiting more than 70 physicians and ten nurse practitioners.  

For residents in need of a family physician or a nurse practitioner, it is important to register with Health Care Connect (HCC). HCC is a resource used by physicians and government agencies to place patients with physicians and can be relied upon by doctors and nurse practitioners when developing or expanding their roster of patients. Registering with HCC is the key to finding primary health care in Ontario. You can register with HCC by calling 1-800-445-1822 (TTY 1-800-387-5559) or by visiting the HCC website.