Residents of Sarnia-Lambton who need foot and ankle surgery may no longer have to leave the region for care. Bluewater Health has added a new orthopaedic surgeon with a special focus on these procedures.
Dr. Hyder Ali Khan joined the hospital’s professional staff on August 1, 2026. He brings specialized training in foot, ankle, and lower extremity surgery to the orthopaedic team. His arrival means more local access to surgeries that previously might have meant a trip to London or beyond.
Dr. Ali Khan completed his medical education close to home. He earned his Doctor of Medicine, Family Medicine Residency, and Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University. He holds specialist certification in Orthopedic Surgery from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, effective June 30, 2025. His hospital privileges are at Bluewater Health in Sarnia.
“As someone from LaSalle, Ontario, and having trained in Southwestern Ontario, it was important to me to build my career in this region, where my wife and our families are located nearby,” Dr. Ali Khan said. He also pointed to the strong reputation of the hospital’s orthopaedic group and the collaborative environment as reasons for his decision.
Dr. Mike Haddad, Bluewater Health’s Chief of Staff and Vice President of Medical Affairs, said recruiting physicians is a key priority for improving patient care in Sarnia-Lambton. Dr. Ali Khan’s expertise will complement the existing orthopaedic surgery team, which already includes Dr. Jason Akindolire, another surgeon with subspecialty training in foot and ankle surgery from Western University.
The move comes as the community continues to face a doctor shortage, with around 13,000 residents still without a family doctor. Physician recruitment efforts, previously led by the now-closed Blue Coast Primary Care from 2001 to 2025, are being carried forward by Bluewater Health and the Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team. Adding a specialist like Dr. Ali Khan is part of Bluewater Health’s broader push to keep care close to home.
