Timmins, ON – Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) welcomes three new hospital-based physicians this month: Dr. Devon Aitken, Dr. Sebastian Diebel, and Dr. Michael Schmidt.

“We are pleased to welcome these skilled physicians to our hospital team and our community.  The expertise they bring will make a difference in the lives of our patients at TADH and across all the communities we serve,” said Kate Fyfe, President and CEO of TADH. “Our partnerships forged through the Timmins Physician and Recruitment Retention Committee have shown incredible strength as they enable our hospital to remain on track to reach our goal of welcoming 10 new physicians this year.”

So far, the Timmins Physician and Recruitment campaign is on track to meet this year’s record-setting goal with five physicians recruited within the first six months of 2025. Earlier recruitment efforts this year brought two specialists: a radiologist and an orthopaedic surgeon.

Dr. Schmidt, who completed a radiology residency at McMaster University in Hamilton and additional training in image-guided procedures from McGill University, has been working at TADH through visiting locums over the past year. Both the people and the area drew him to TADH.

“I enjoy the broad scope of work and the people working at TADH are so kind, welcoming, and helpful,” he said. “I love being outside in nature and hanging out with my family and friends.  I enjoy boating and sailing, camping, canoeing, fishing, hockey, skiing, and running.”

Dr. Devon Aitken, who grew up in Timmins, completed her medical degree and Family Medicine residency at the University of Toronto, gaining experience in a variety of settings, including urban and rural environments.

“I was drawn to TADH because of the wide range of opportunities it offers for practicing comprehensive medicine, allowing me to work across large patient populations. TADH also has a very supportive culture from physicians to nurses and other allied health and administration – something I’m very appreciative of, especially being a new doctor,” said Dr. Aitken, who is also looking forward to being closer to family.

Dr. Sebastian Diebel first experienced working in the area through a Northern Ontario School of Medicine University placement in Kapuskasing and then a Family Residency placement at TADH. He left the area for about a year to do an extra residency in Emergency Medicine at Health Sciences North in Sudbury. He will be working as a Hospitalist, in the emergency department, as well as occasionally covering low-risk Obstetrics.

Besides past work experience connecting him to Timmins, his wife is also a physician at the hospital and has family in the area. Dr. Diebel, who grew up in Nairn Centre, a small town outside of Sudbury, appreciates the collegial atmosphere at the hospital and all that the area has to offer.

“We love Timmins,” said Dr. Diebel, adding that the couple uses the cross-country ski trails and enjoys being five minutes from their house to commute to the hospital.

TADH continues to work to recruit other high-caliber candidates to provide exemplary care to people living in its very large catchment area.

“The progress made to enhance our physician complement recently is a testament to the work the community has done to support our efforts in recruitment. This year, we have already surpassed our annual average. We are proud of the progress made thus far and are looking forward to continuing to welcome new physicians to our beautiful Northern Community,” said Corey Krupa, Timmins and District Hospital’s physician recruiter.

Quick Facts on Physician Services at TADH:

• In 2025, TADH welcomed 5 hospital-based physicians, including 2 radiologists, 1 orthopedic surgeon, 1 family physician, and 1 emergency medicine specialist.

• TADH’s radiology practice reads 150,000 exams per year.

• TADH’s emergency department currently supports 43,800 + patient visits annually.

• Dr. Schmidt joins our team at TADH, the host site of the NORrad Radiology practice, which supports 16 partner sites, in addition to TADH. These sites include: Lady Dunn Health Center, Services De Sante Chapleau Health Services, Hornepayne Community Hospital, Notre Dame Hospital, Sensenbrenner General Hospital, Smooth Rock Falls Hospital, Lady Minto Hospital, Anson General Hospital, Bingham Memorial Hospital, Blanche River Health Kirkland site, Blanche River Health Englehart site, Weeneebayko General Hospital, Attawapiskat Hospital, Fort Albany Hospital, Kashechewan Nursing Station, Peawanuck Nursing Station.

Our commitment: TADH operates within the traditional lands of the Mattagami First Nation, located in Treaty 9 territory. Our team is committed to building strong, lasting relationships with Indigenous communities as we acknowledge the diversity, history and heritage of Indigenous Peoples in the North.

Photo Captions:

Main photo: (left to right) Kate Fyfe, Dr. Doug Arnold, Dr. Michael Schmidt, Dr. Paul Schulte
Photo two – Dr. Devon Aitken with Dr. Doug Arnold
Photo three– Dr. Sebastian Diebel with Dr. Kyle Harper

For more information contact TADH’s Communications Team: 705-267-2131 Ext. 2409 or communications@tadh.com