South African physician couple finds new opportunities for family life in New Glasgow

South African physicians Drs. Milton Groenewald and Simoné Swigelaar’s boys always wanted to see the snow.  

Their dream came true this past winter, arriving at Halifax Stanfield International Airport during a snowstorm. It was day one of their new adventure in their new home.

Milton and Simoné are part of a growing contingent of South African physicians who now call Nova Scotia home.  

The general practitioners, who met in medical school at Stellenbosch University, chose careers in medicine as a way to help people and give back to their communities. And while this dedication remained over the years, the shifting medical landscape in South Africa found them personally and professionally stretched.

“In South Africa, there weren’t enough doctors to help with the workload, which was increasing rapidly,” says Milton, citing a growing population and financial constraints on government hospitals.

“Milton worked many after-hour shifts, long first on-call shifts and many weekends, which took him away from the family; he missed out on many family events,” says Simoné. “We saw many colleagues suffer from mental injury and burnout and wanted to avoid that from happening.”

It was a chance encounter with an ex-colleague/friend that nudged them toward Canada. “She told me about Nova Scotia and that they were recruiting doctors…after I spoke to her, I thought to myself, ‘OK, maybe this is our answer’,” says Simoné.

After 11 months of research, conversations and planning, the family settled in New Glasgow – Milton arriving in November, with Simoné and the kids arriving a few weeks later.  

Today, Milton is employed at East Side Health Centre – a collaborative health home that includes family physicians, social workers, dietitians, nurses, nurse practitioners and an administrative team.  

“I love working there...it’s so nice that I don’t [always] have to refer to another building. I can just go out of the room and have a chat with a dietitian or nurse practitioner.”

He’s enjoying working with the family physicians in his practice, saying they’re very approachable, and has been able to find the work-life balance he so desperately craved in South Africa.

For now, Simoné is enjoying being a stay-at-home mom to their three children, aged six, nine and 12. She is considering the Physician Assessment Centre of Excellence (PACE) in a few years’ time.

The family loves their new home and, in particular, the opportunities for family life this move has afforded them. They’ve found a church, taken in some breath-taking beaches and even tried their hand at winter sports for the first time. The children are enjoying their new school.

“We love the small-town feel,” says Milton. “And I must say the community is very helpful. Everyone has reached out to ask if we need anything.”

Milton and Simoné feel very supported by the recruitment and onboarding team.  

“Moving is difficult. Emigrating, even more so. But the process of coming to Nova Scotia, and especially in our region here with our team, has been really amazing,” says Simoné. “We really appreciate everything that team has done for us and are still doing for us.”

Learn more about Nova Scotia Health’s physician and healthcare career opportunities at https://morethanmedicine.ca/.  

Photo of (L-R) Drs. Milton Groenewald and Simoné Swigelaar and their 3 children.