A doctor with roots in Quinte West is returning home.

Dr. Mark Dodds was officially welcomed back to the area to take over a practice, during a Quinte West council meeting Monday night.

He said the move made sense for him, his wife Lindsay and their young family.

“It was probably the hardest decision I had to make to leave my last practice in Athens, Ontario, which is just north of Brockville.  I had great relationships with my patients there.  I had great relationships with the staff,” he said adding that he spent six years at his previous practice.

“But after we’ve had two young children, we realized how important it was to be close to family.” 

Dodds took over for Dr. Adeel Mahmood practice of 1,200 patients at the Quinte West Family Health team one month ago.  He said he hopes to be able to accept new patients once he settles in.

Mayor Jim Harrison said Quinte West is happy to welcome a doctor home and is continuing its recruitment efforts to attract more physicians to the area.

“We need more like him, so we’re working hard to attract them.  I’m just really pleased we got him.”

Dodds added that, “We’re thrilled to be back home.”