Dr. Kelly Morris, CCFP, has been honoured with the Rural Physician of the Year award for providing exemplary care to her patients and for her outreach to underserved populations.

For 10 years, Dr. Morris has served the community of Amherst, N.S. as a family physician and through the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, where she works in prenatal care, obstetrics, neonatal resuscitation, surgical assists and in-patient medical care. Dr. Morris said she chose family medicine because it “offers variety, continuity of care and the opportunity to build longitudinal relationships with our patients.”

She has structured her practice to benefit the most vulnerable people in her community who are often marginalized in the health-care system. She treats patients with addictions conscientiously and carefully, provides care for transgendered patients and sees adolescents at the local high school.

That dedication to serving patients is reflected in Dr. Morris’ efforts to enhance the delivery and quality of health care. She is Dalhousie’s Community Hospital Program continuing professional development coordinator for Cumberland County, a volunteer with the board of the Cumberland Health Care Foundation and a member of the county’s physician retention committee. She also serves as the community family practice lead in Amherst for the Department of Family Practice with the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

Dr. Morris’ advice to the next generation of physicians starting their careers is to “broaden your scope of practice at the start and, if needed, narrow it over time to fit your life.”