A two-year search by the Arkona Lions Club for new family doctors has paid off.
Lambton Shores Deputy Mayor and Lion's Club member Doug Cook told Lambton County Council Wednesday that the service club's medical committee has secured two new physicians.
He says Dr. Connor Rice and Dr. Kristina Rice, a husband and wife team, will work out of the Arkona Medical Centre on Union St.
"Renovations are going on right now at the Arkona medical clinic, which is owned by the Arkona Lions Club, and the doctors are taking new patients as we speak," says Cook. "It is the community hub. We actually are very fortunate in our area because we now have two doctors, we have two dentists, we have two optometrists, a hearing specialist and a chiropodist."
He says the couple is currently commuting from London.
"They were looking for an opportunity to come to a small town. That is their roots," says Cook.
Cook says it's great news for patients who have been travelling for care since the former doctors retired.
"Some went to the North Lambton Health Centre, others like myself went to Petrolia, others went to Strathroy," says Cook. "We went wherever we could find a spot."
The Lion's Club has owned the medical building since 1969.