MAHONE BAY - Dr. Alexander Steeves confirmed last week that he has recruited a replacement for his Mahone Bay practice.

 Dr. Lely Abud, who has been practicing in Barrington since 2007, plans to take over Dr. Steeves' family practice in Mahone Bay on March 15, 2011.

 Dr. Abud graduated from the University of Taubaté in Brazil in 1991. She began her medical career in Brazil but moved to Canada in 2004.

 After three years of examinations, she successfully validated her medical credentials in Canada. In January 2007 she moved to Barrington and entered into a four-year contract while being mentored by Barrington family physician Dr. Kenny Yee. In 2009, she obtained full certification with the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

 Dr. Abud said she decided to move into Dr. Steeves' practice in Mahone Bay because of its proximity to Halifax.

 No one could be happier about the news than Dr. Steeves. He started planning to retire more than three years ago. He intended to retire in the spring but his plans were put on hold since his recruitment efforts took longer than expected.

 In addition to advertising in several magazines, Dr. Steeves went to Memorial University of Newfoundland and Dalhousie University looking for new graduates. But, he said, no graduates are interested in assuming the responsibility of property.

 "The new wave of people coming out of universities want to rent. They don't want to buy or own things. They come out with big debts so they have no collateral that the bank can use to buy a building," he said.

 When Dr. Steeves opened his Mahone Bay practice 40 years ago, he purchased the centre.

 While his recruitment efforts continued, Dr. Steeves was able to reach an agreement to sell the building to Kinburn Pharmasave. Dr. Abud will be leasing the space with an existing physician.

 Now that the issues of the property and replacement have been resolved, Dr. Steeves is expected to retire in March 2011.

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 Dr. Steeves said he plans to focus more on his hobbies which include fishing, carpentry and photography. He also plans to travel across the country to visit his three grandchildren.

 Since Dr. Abud will be taking on the large number of patients that Dr. Steeves has, she will not be taking new patients. But, she said, that may change in the future.

posted on 12/14/10