For half a century, Dr. Gordon has been a cornerstone of Arnprior’s healthcare community. What began as a short-term plan to practice medicine in a familiar town evolved into a lifelong commitment to patient care, mentorship, and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of healthcare.

Dr. Gordon, who grew up in West Carleton and attended Arnprior District High School, first came to Arnprior Regional Health (ARH) as a medical student. “I spent a day here with Dr. Cho, who showed me around, and I observed in the OR. That gave me my first real exposure to the hospital and the community,” he recalls. After completing medical school at Western University and a rigorous internship at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, he pursued a year of internal medicine training in London, Ontario, aiming to gain more experience in cardiology and neurology before entering general practice. He returned to Arnprior to begin what would become an incredible 50-year journey.

In those early days, the role of a family physician looked very different. “When I started in Arnprior, we didn’t have ultrasounds here, let alone a CT scanner. The technology has come a long way,” Dr. Gordon says. At that time, family doctors did more than just clinic work—they ran emergency shifts, assisted in surgeries, and even delivered babies. “We worked 24-hour emergency shifts, sometimes 48 or even 72 hours on long weekends. That was just how things were done.”

Despite the long hours and demanding workload, Dr. Gordon found fulfillment in the relationships he built with his patients. “The most rewarding part of my career has been the connection with my patients—being there for them through different stages of their lives,” he says. “There’s nothing quite like seeing someone recover or knowing you’ve made a difference in their health.”

Over the years, healthcare in Arnprior has undergone many changes, including the transition from family doctors managing hospital care to the introduction of hospitalist programs. “It’s different now, but you have to adapt,” Dr. Gordon acknowledges. “New doctors coming in have different expectations for work-life balance, and the system has shifted to accommodate that.”

Despite the evolution of medicine and the increasing administrative burdens on physicians, Dr. Gordon still encourages young doctors to consider family medicine. “It’s an incredibly rewarding career. Yes, there’s paperwork and challenges, but at the heart of it, you get to help people, solve medical puzzles, and be a part of their lives. That’s what makes it all worth it.”

As he reflects on five decades in Arnprior, Dr. Gordon remains grateful for the journey. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time in the orchard on his property, kayaking, and road biking. “I never expected to stay this long, but I grew to love the people and the community. It’s been a privilege to serve here.”

With his deep roots in the region, a legacy of dedicated patient care, and an indelible mark on ARH’s history, Dr. Gordon’s 50-year career is a testament to his passion for medicine and the community he calls home.