Discussion with Dr. Eid, orthopedist and family man

We met with Dr. Joseph Eid on the Ulrick-Chérubin walkway, in the heart of downtown Amos. Behind him, the majestic Cathédrale Sainte-Thérèse-D’Avila shines under the bright winter sun. Dr. Eid, his exotic accent in stark contrast with his winter jacket and the frigid day, is the very epitome of a man who has adjusted to his new home without losing sight of his roots and identity. He is as proud of his Lebanese culture as he is of being an Amos resident and he impacts his surroundings just as the latter influences him.

In Lebanon, his medical diploma required him to complete part of his training abroad. At the time, Mr. Eid chose to fulfill this requirement in Montréal, though he hadn’t necessarily considered calling Canada home.

“I completed part of my orthopedic specialization in Montréal. Once I completed my residency, I returned to Lebanon from 2000 to 2006. Then, a war broke out. I had two young children at the time, so I decided to leave the country to come and work here. In my opinion, it’s the safest, calmest, and least stressful place to raise a family, especially with young children. I have never regretted my decision.”

His transition was relatively smooth, given that he was already familiar with Quebec’s harsh winters. Though he can’t say the same for his wife and children, who had a real thermal shock when they moved here in the middle of winter!

“My wife is Australian-Lebanese. Arriving directly in Abitibi-Témiscamingue in January of 2007 was not easy for her. I remember her asking me in February, ‘Is there a summer here in Amos?’ ”

He laughs, as though he had played a trick on his wife.

“I deliberately brought them here in winter. I told her that if she stayed through the winter, it meant she would stay for good because she would have made it through the hardest part. Today, she has adapted to the seasons. I always say that it’s the warmth of the people here that makes the temperature feel a little warmer. That’s especially true at the hospital, where they make you feel like family. I really felt the kindness and hospitality. When I was looking for a house, everyone made an effort for me. They would come to me each day saying, ‘I found this house…’ They were ready to support me, and their goal was to keep us here. I think they succeeded!”

And clearly, he succeeded as well since his involvement in various areas is well known throughout Amos. In fact, he believes that is the key to a seamless integration.

“Once you’ve settled in, it’s important not to remain isolated. You must get out and make an effort, because people truly appreciate that and are very welcoming. I became highly involved in my children’s activities. They’re in the music program, so I got involved with École de musique Harricana. My daughter swims, so I joined the Aquamos club. There’s a wide variety of activities here, and everything is close by. There are activities for every season. In winter, you can go downhill and cross-country skiing. In the summer, my children enjoy cycling, and performing in numerous music concerts. I can’t say I’m ever bored!”

“Everything you could need from a big city; you can find it here. My patients invite me to go fishing and hunting with them. You don’t see such a special relationship between doctors and patients just anywhere. People here are very close, and friendship is important. I encourage anyone to take the leap, because it truly is an exceptional lifestyle.”