Dr. Matthew Clifford

The Physician Recruitment Taskforce of Sarnia Lambton is proud to announce the recruitment of Dr. Matthew Clifford to Corunna. Alongside the recruitment, comes the retirement of Dr. Peter Wakely who will be handing over the reigns of his practice after 36 years to Dr. Clifford. Dr. Clifford; a native of London Ontario, recently completed his 3-year residency at Crittenton Hospital through the Wayne State University Family Medicine Program. He completed his bachelor and Masters degree of Science at Wilfred Laurier University before studying at the Medical University of the Americas, in St. Kitts and Nevis where he obtained his medical degree. Despite his educational travels, Dr. Clifford always imagined settling in Sarnia to begin his medical career. Dr. Clifford says, “As a London native, Sarnia was always close and I was able to live here while playing hockey and attending high school. Sarnia, from that point, was an easy sell for me to return and lay down some roots. The landscape and the friendly atmosphere generated by the people, truly speak for the city itself.” Dr. Clifford has settled into Sarnia and will begin practicing alongside Dr. Wakely in mid-October. The pair, plan to make the transition as smooth as possible, working alongside one another for the first few months. “In taking over for Dr. Wakely, I hope to build as strong of relationships with his patients as he did and maintain the level of care they were receiving as well.” states Dr. Clifford. Both Doctors credited the Taskforce for making the initial connection between them and assisting them individually through their transitions. “The Taskforce was instrumental in helping me facilitate the move back to Sarnia from Michigan. My liaison, Carly Nienhuis, was very informative, went above and beyond providing options and information, often times before I even asked. Without the Taskforce this process would have been cumbersome and difficult to navigate.” says Clifford. At this time, Dr. Clifford will not be accepting new patients, as he will be focusing on getting familiar with the patient list being passed down to him from Dr. Wakely. Dr. Peter Wakely and his wife Kathy; a retired local family physician, are parents of 4, and grandparents to 6 young children. Wakely’s retirement plans include many trips to Victoria and Vancouver, BC to visit his daughters and grandchildren. “It was a difficult decision to make to retire from my practice and the patients I have cared for, for many years! I have built many great relationships in this community and I am grateful for them all!” says Wakely. Although retiring from his family practice, Dr. Wakely plans to continue doing some work at Bluewater Health. Nienhuis says, “Dr. Wakely has made a very positive impact on this community providing outstanding healthcare for over 36 years in Sarnia Lambton. He will certainly be missed, and we wish him all of the best in his retirement! If there is anyone who deserves retirement, it is him!” The recruitment of Dr. Clifford marks the 24th family physician recruited to Lambton County by the Physician Recruitment Taskforce of Sarnia Lambton.