From Iran to Cape Breton: Welcoming dermatologist Dr. Sara Rahsepar and celebrating specialty recruitment successes in Cape Breton

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Dr. Sara Rahsepar’s journey to becoming a practicing dermatologist in Cape Breton was an extensive one. After completing her medical education and dermatology residency at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Mashhad, Iran, she worked as a general practitioner for two years to fulfill the mandatory service required in Iran before qualifying for the specialty exam. Following her success in the exam, she completed a dermatology residency.

In total, her training spanned more than 15 years. After working as a dermatologist in Iran, she decided to immigrate to Canada. Once here, Dr. Rahsepar worked under the supervision of a family physician in Toronto while completing the necessary exams for her Canadian medical licensure. This past May, she began practicing dermatology in Sydney, Cape Breton, where she now serves the local community.

Dermatology has always been her passion. In Iran, medical specialties are selected through a competitive exam, and Dr. Rahsepar knew she wanted to be a dermatologist. With only 11 spots available nationwide, her determination was strong. "If I hadn’t gotten in, I would have tried again and again. That’s how much I love dermatology."

Her experience in Cape Breton has been positive. She speaks warmly of the community, praising the friendliness of the people and expressing her appreciation for the supportive environment at Northside General Hospital where she does ambulatory care. "The nurses are so cooperative, and the whole team is wonderful to work with."

For Dr. Rahsepar, the most rewarding aspect of her work is seeing the satisfaction in her patients. "When a patient is happy with their diagnosis and treatment, that’s the most rewarding thing I can hope for."

Her presence in Cape Breton has been especially meaningful for patients, many of whom previously had to travel to Halifax for dermatology care. "They used to wait a long time and travel far for treatment," she said. "Now, they appreciate having a specialist here, and it's rewarding to make a difference locally."

Outside of her work, Dr. Rahsepar enjoys spending time with her daughter and connecting with the Iranian physician community in the area. Many of her fellow Iranian physicians have become close friends, and they spend weekends together, exploring Cape Breton’s beautiful scenery.

Dr. Rahsepar is part of a wave of recent recruitment successes in Cape Breton, where specialists in high-demand areas are joining the healthcare system. Dr. Paul Morrison, head of internal medicine for Eastern Zone, highlighted this achievement. "We’ve had good success filling positions that were challenging for us," he said, noting the addition of specialists in infectious disease, geriatrics, oncology, gastroenterology and neurology.

Dr. Morrison emphasized that streamlining the credentialing process for internationally trained medical graduates has played a key role in recruitment efforts. "The College made changes that opened up the recruiting pool and made it easier for candidates to get evaluated. We’re able to secure competent, capable practitioners faster."

In addition to recruiting talent, Dr. Morrison acknowledged the importance of retaining physicians. Physician recruitment consultants work closely with community navigators to help new physicians in the area. "We’ve got people helping newcomers find schools for their kids, communicating with real estate agents to find good housing—not just any housing," Dr. Morrison explained. "We want them to be integrated into the community, not just part of the hospital team."

Dr. Morrison is hopeful that this focus on community integration will encourage long-term commitments from new hires. "We don’t want people staying for just two or three years. We want them here for 15 to 20 years. The community-building piece is key to that."

Reflecting on recent progress, Dr. Morrison is optimistic about the future. The combination of innovation, a streamlined recruitment process, and government investments in healthcare has created momentum, attracting specialists to Cape Breton. With an energized team in place, the region is poised to capitalize on this success and continue building a strong healthcare network for the community.

As Cape Breton welcomes Dr. Sara Rahsepar and other specialists into its healthcare system, the future shines bright for healthcare in the Eastern Zone of the province!