Strike the perfect work-life balance in Sault Ste. Marie

For Carrie Stewart, the list of reasons why she loves living and working in Sault Ste. Marie is long and centres around one thing—the great outdoors. “There’s literally an outdoor adventure for every season, weather and condition possible,” says the avid cyclist, skier and hiker. “I can wrap up in my office at 5 p.m. and be in the forest surrounded by beauty by 5:30 p.m.”

A league of its own

A lifelong resident of Sault Ste. Marie, Stewart is its physician recruitment and retention manager, and she’s quick to laud a decision to relocate to her city. She’s as much an ambassador for her hometown’s exciting professional opportunities for doctors as she is an enthusiastic cheerleader for its breathtaking surroundings and abundance of nature activities.

“I love that we have access to the Great Lakes, inland lakes, mountainous terrain, amazing vistas, beautiful hardwood forests, waterfalls, sunsets and a vast variety of trails,” she says, citing the Hiawatha Highlands, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Bellevue Valley and the nearby town of Searchmont as some of her favourite spots for open-air fun. “And a ride on Highway 638 in the midst of the fall colours should be on every cyclist’s bucket list!”

Beauty and benefits abound

Nestled on the shores of Lake Superior, about a seven-hour drive or one-hour flight northwest of Toronto and 10 minutes from the Michigan border, “the Soo,” as it’s fondly known, boasts a bounty of benefits for residents.

With its remarkably affordable housing, low unemployment rates, five-minute commute times, vibrant arts and culture scene and awe-inspiring natural beauty, it’s no surprise more and more Torontonians are trading big-city stress for tranquility and a vastly improved work-life balance by moving there. The city pays homage to its Indigenous roots, too, with areas to explore the influence and importance of First Nations people, including Whitefish Island and Agawa Bay.

Rewarding healthcare work

Stewart says that making the move to Sault Ste. Marie can be immensely rewarding, especially for doctors, thanks to a grateful patient population and a strong sense of community and support that can be lacking in larger cities’ hospitals and health care facilities. “You’ll be part of the team from day one,” she says. “Physicians have access to transition-to-practice models, mentorship programs, retention events and medical-staff wellness initiatives. New physicians are often pleasantly surprised how friendly, helpful and engaging everyone is, from the IT staff to the nurses and physicians.”

In addition to Sault Area Hospital, a state-of-the-art 300-bed facility with a comprehensive range of health care services, including the Algoma District Cancer Program, a Regional Renal Program and a full suite of diagnostic-imaging equipment, the city is home to the Group Health Centre, a pioneering multi-specialty ambulatory-care facility. “It’s a collaborative, patient-focused model unique to Sault Ste. Marie,” Stewart says. “There are also many more community-outpatient facilities here delivering outstanding care.”

Inclusion, respect and appreciation

She adds that physicians who move to the Soo enjoy remuneration packages with financial incentives, turnkey operations without overhead expenses, and a multitude of opportunities and resources for professional development, education and research. “There is an average of 35 medical learners on site at any time, so many of our physicians are also NOSM University faculty, and directly involved in program development, medical education and leadership,” she says.

For Stewart, life in Sault Ste. Marie—especially for health care workers—is about being able to truly have it all. “I love to travel and visit other places, but I can’t imagine a better place to live, work and play,” she says. “The lifestyle here is the true definition of work-life balance. You can have the most fulfilling career, with support in development and advancement, plus have time to spend with your family and a daily dose of outdoor adventure!”