This U.S. doctor is making the move to B.C. — here’s why

Canadian-born doctor, Muthanna Yacoub, has been practicing family medicine in Colorado for the last six years. However, his next career move involves a sort of homecoming to Canada. Yacoub expressed his long-time dream of returning to Canada, citing his love for hockey and the natural beauty of the Canadian hills as his “antidepressant.”

The province of British Columbia has made efforts to streamline the process for U.S.-trained doctors and nurses to have their credentials recognized in B.C. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Health, now takes days instead of months. Yacoub almost signed on with a clinic in Ontario but was ultimately enticed by the natural beauty of British Columbia, prompting him, his wife, and their dog, Hudson, to make the move.

Yacoub will be joining a medical clinic owned by the City of Colwood near Victoria this fall. Health Minister Josie Osborne expressed that Yacoub’s desire to give back and return home aligns with the clinic’s efforts to recruit out-of-province or out-of-country doctors to avoid poaching from other parts of B.C.

Demoralized by the U.S.’s private health care system, Yacoub felt constrained by insurance companies dictating patient care. The election of U.S. President Donald Trump and the anti-vaccine stance of his health secretary further fueled Yacoub’s decision to move back to Canada.

The B.C. government launched a $5 million ad campaign targeting health care workers in Washington State, Oregon, and California to address the health worker shortage. The Colwood clinic’s co-medical director, Jesse Pewarchuk, expressed optimism in B.C.’s strategy to recruit U.S. doctors and nurses, emphasizing the need to meet the growing demand of the aging population.

Yacoub, who holds dual Canadian and U.S. citizenship, found the process of moving to Canada straightforward. However, American-born doctors would have to navigate Canada’s immigration system, posing a potential roadblock. Despite challenges, Yacoub found the salary and pension offered by the Colwood Clinic comparable to what he was making in Colorado. Ultimately, his decision was driven by values and quality of life, highlighting the welcoming nature of the people in British Columbia.