The work and expertise that OLIP brings to our community is so important as it helps us to build bridges and break down silos. I look forward to our continued work together.
Champlain LHIN partners with Career Transitions Program
February 4, 2013The Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is now a host site for the Career Transitions program, delivered by the Catholic Centre for Immigrants and World Skills. The initiative is an example of the LHIN’s efforts to reach out to diverse communities by creating new and effective local partnerships.
The Career Transitions program is specifically targeted to International Medical Doctors (IMDs) or international health professionals who wish to pursue non-regulated health care roles through employment, mentoring or volunteering.
In December 2012, the Champlain LHIN welcomed Farouq Samim to the Champlain LHIN for a four-month paid placement in communications. Farouq was previously a doctor and journalist in Afghanistan before coming to Canada several years ago. Most recently, he earned his Masters of Arts in Communication at the University of Ottawa.
“It certainly is a privilege to work at the Champlain LHIN, where I can use many of the transferable skills from my past experiences in medicine, journalism and communication,” he says. “Also, as a newcomer, I have been learning many skills. Some of them are as basic as working in a Canadian cultural setting with Canadian colleagues, while others are more complex – for example, to understand the different lines of communication at a crown agency such as the Champlain LHIN.”
Elaine Medline, Director of Communications at the Champlain LHIN and member of the OLIP Council, explained that the placement benefits both parties. “Farouq is provided with an opportunity to obtain meaningful Canadian work experience and participate in the day-to-day operations of a dynamic agency. At the same time, the Champlain LHIN builds more diversity within its organization and gains the excellent contributions of an experienced health communicator,” Elaine said.
If you are interested in learning more about Career Transitions, please contact Bonita Varga, Job Developer (Career Transitions for International Medical Doctors and Health Professionals), Catholic Centre for Immigrants at 613.232.9634 ext. 322 and bonita@cic.ca
