Summer 2008

Kinmount, Ontario: A little community with a lot of spirit!

Kinmount, Ontario is located on the cusp of both the Haliburton Highlands and Peterborough County. Once part of Sommerville Township, the community is now considered part of the expansive City of Kawartha Lakes. Kinmount was one of the first Icelandic settlements in Canada and is considered a National Historic Site. The community became a strong lumber town, operating six saw mills and creating shingles and lumber for construction; two Victoria Railway trains traveled to Lindsay daily during the 1880s.

With a population of approximately 500, this small community embodies the essence of rural Ontario. Kinmount is completely surrounded by rolling hills and high rock faces but just beyond these outcrops, the land is ideal for farming. The Burnt River runs through the downtown and trees outnumber houses, creating the perfect location for all who seek a relaxed pace and quiet lifestyle.

As a popular location for cottagers, Kinmount's population expands greatly during the warm summer months but during the winter the town lies dearly dormant. Those who live in Kinmount enjoy the pristine atmosphere of a natural world, untouched by urban sprawl an commercialism. Cottagers enjoy the peaceful escape from city life along the clear waters of the Burnt River. Hundreds of kilometers of trails span the region, allowing for an abundance of outdoor recreation.

Year's ago, the people of Kinmount suffered a fate that many Ontarians fear; they lost their family physicians. Finding themselves suddenly without a doctor, the people of Kinmount joined together in a focused campaign to bring health care back to their community. For nearly six years the citizens sent out fliers and placed job advertisements in medical journals and newspapers across Canada. However, it was simple sign reading "Doctor Wanted" hanging on the township office that won the heart and services of Dr. Elena Mihu in 1999. The community's fund-raising efforts had saved enough money to renovate the township building, creating a Health Clinic in which Dr. Mihu could practice. Kinmount's efforts had been realized!

Kinmount now has two practicing physicians, a physio therapist and will begin recruiting a third physician this fall. The services offered by the current health care professionals include an outstanding rehabilitation centre and support for Alzheimer's, diabetes, arthritis and home health care. When needing hospital care, the people of Kinmount drive either 40 kilometers to Haliburton or 60 kilometers to Lindsay. This distance between the small community and the nearest hospital creates an atmosphere of primary care at the health centre, as community members visit their family physician instead of traveling to the emergency room. Although the wait list for the physicians continues to grow, both Dr. Mihu and Dr. Kaszas are happy to live and work in this spirited community.


6/9/2008	03
Community Profile - Kinmount, Ontario A little community with a lot of spirit!... more Preceptor Profile - Dr. Elena Mihu Dr. Elena Mihu became a preceptor for the Rural Ontario Medical program in 2001 and to date is the only preceptor who has inspired a movie... more McMaster's Rural Skills Days The Rural Interest Group at McMaster is full of eager students, keen to catch a glimps of medicine outside of the academic centre.... more New Staff at ROMP You may have noticed some changes in our small office over the past several months... more University of Toronto Expands The University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine is working with the Ontario Ministry of Health...... more CASPR Conference 2009 The location for CASPR's April 16 - 18, 2009 conference is set.... more Upcoming Events June...July...August...September...... more Back to main Issue	Kinmount, Ontario: A little community with a lot of spirit! Kinmount, Ontario is located on the cusp of both the Haliburton Highlands and Peterborough County. Once part of Sommerville Township, the community is now considered part of the expansive City of Kawartha Lakes. Kinmount was one of the first Icelandic settlements in Canada and is considered a National Historic Site. The community became a strong lumber town, operating six saw mills and creating shingles and lumber for construction; two Victoria Railway trains traveled to Lindsay daily during the 1880s. With a population of approximately 500, this small community embodies the essence of rural Ontario. Kinmount is completely surrounded by rolling hills and high rock faces but just beyond these outcrops, the land is ideal for farming. The Burnt River runs through the downtown and trees outnumber houses, creating the perfect location for all who seek a relaxed pace and quiet lifestyle. As a popular location for cottagers, Kinmount's population expands greatly during the warm summer months but during the winter the town lies dearly dormant. Those who live in Kinmount enjoy the pristine atmosphere of a natural world, untouched by urban sprawl an commercialism. Cottagers enjoy the peaceful escape from city life along the clear waters of the Burnt River. Hundreds of kilometers of trails span the region, allowing for an abundance of outdoor recreation. Year's ago, the people of Kinmount suffered a fate that many Ontarians fear; they lost their family physicians. Finding themselves suddenly without a doctor, the people of Kinmount joined together in a focused campaign to bring health care back to their community. For nearly six years the citizens sent out fliers and placed job advertisements in medical journals and newspapers across Canada. However, it was simple sign reading "Doctor Wanted" hanging on the township office that won the heart and services of Dr. Elena Mihu in 1999. The community's fund-raising efforts had saved enough money to renovate the township building, creating a Health Clinic in which Dr. Mihu could practice. Kinmount's efforts had been realized! Kinmount now has two practicing physicians, a physio therapist and will begin recruiting a third physician this fall. The services offered by the current health care professionals include an outstanding rehabilitation centre and support for Alzheimer's, diabetes, arthritis and home health care. When needing hospital care, the people of Kinmount drive either 40 kilometers to Haliburton or 60 kilometers to Lindsay. This distance between the small community and the nearest hospital creates an atmosphere of primary care at the health centre, as community members visit their family physician instead of traveling to the emergency room. Although the wait list for the physicians continues to grow, both Dr. Mihu and Dr. Kaszas are happy to live and work in this spirited community.