Meet the Doctor: Eric Bilodeau

Eric Bilodeau was drawn to general family practice because he likes the variety of conditions he gets to treat, and the different types of patients he encounters. "You never know what you're going to see. I like to know a bit about everything," he says.

That's good news for Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital (HGMH) as our community welcomes him as our newest family practice at the end of the summer. He also speaks French, yet another asset.

Born in Val d'Or, Quebec, Dr. Bilodeau earned his bachelor's degree in Biopharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Ottawa before going on to medical school at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Sudbury. After earning his MD, Dr. Bilodeau returned to take up a residency in Ottawa at Montfort Hospital. He's also taken up emergency room placements in the past year, in several towns in across Ontario including Hearst, Cochrane, Englehart, Sturgeon Falls, and North Bay.

Having been all over, Dr. Bilodeau says he's looking forward to settling in to family practice. "I enjoy being able to have my own practice," he says, adding that he's also looking forward to getting to know the HGMH community. He already has a good impression. "I like the fact that people are friendly. The hospital has been very welcoming so that's great."

Dr. Bilodeau is already familiar with the area as he owns a bed and breakfast in Hawkesbury where he hosts other doctors in the area.

Asked about his medical philosophy, Dr. Bilodeau says that he is keen about focusing on the whole person and overall wellness. "It's not just about pills and prescribing—being healthy is more than that," says Dr. Bilodeau. "I promote healthy living, lifestyle modifications to make people live a long life." He practices what he preaches by getting lots of exercise himself, including running, hiking, tennis, badminton, squash, and even landscaping on his property.

Dr. Bilodeau definitely knows that he's in the right field and looks forward to growing in it even further. "I enjoy helping people, it's a job where you never get bored, so I love the medicine and the challenges that it brings," he says.

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Dr. Bilodeau's office number is 613.525.5702