Saint Andrews finally has a second doctor in town accepting new patients. After 23 years working as a family physician in Winnipeg, Dr. Julie Levesque-Taylor has returned to her home province of New Brunswick. Although she is originally from Moncton, she has relocated to Charlotte County with her husband and two youngest children and will working as a family doctor alongside Dr. Brian Peer at the New Wellness Centre in Saint Andrews, located in the WC O'Neill Arena. 

"When we got to the point where we decided it was time to come home to New Brunswick, we wanted a home near the ocean," said Dr. Levesque. "We found a property in Chamcook about four years ago and purchased. This year, there two things--COVID-19 and the new Wellness Centre in Saint Andrews--that were the tipping point in our family returning to New Brunswick sooner than later."

Dr. Levesque-Taylor begins work at the Wellness Centre this week and already has a roster of patients but is still accepting referrals. She fills a much-needed void in the community for a second doctor, as well as the town's first female doctor. 

"Dr. Peer and his wife Annette have built a list for me of 50 or 60 families for me to take care of that have been on a wait list for a new doctor," said Dr. Levesque-Taylor. "People seem very excited that there is now more than one doctor in town!"

Dr. Levesque-Taylor starts seeing patients full-time this week at the Wellness Centre. She and her family have already adapted to life back East and our loving the smalltown charm of both Saint Andrews and Chamcook.  

"The first thing we did after we finished quarantine was just drive down to the end of the wharf and listen to the ocean!" said Dr. Levesque-Taylor. "Being a small community, the first thing we noticed is that neighbours take care of neighbours here. The volunteer program that brings people groceries locally, as well as their medications, to vulnerable people is just exceptional and really warms my heart."