'Shock and disbelief' in Hawkesbury, Ont., after doctor charged with murder, but locals have faith in hospital

As Susan Conwaywaited for her daughter to be treated atHawkesbury and District General Hospital, she expressed more concernabout safety over the recent COVID-19 outbreaks than news that a doctorhasbeen charged with first-degree murder.

But while the arrest this week of Dr. Brian Nadler won't deterConwayor her family from using the hospital,she also told CBC News onSaturday that the murder charge revelationhas certainly rocked the small community of Hawkesbury,which islocated between Ottawa and Montreal, and the surrounding area.

"The community is learning about this, and everyone is in shock and disbelief," said Conway, who worked 15 years as an OPP dispatcher."You don'tthink about this [happening] in this close-knit town.

"Just horrible, just horrible. And I feelfor the family of this poor soul who has been taken."

WATCH|Hawkesbury residents react to doctor's murder charge:

Hawkesbury residents react to news of doctor's arrest

3 years ago

Duration 0:38

Residents say the town is small and most people know everyone so the news comes as a shock.

Residents of the town, which has a population of about 10,000, say they're stunned by the arrest and word that Ontario Provincial Police are still investigating multiple "suspicious deaths" at the hospital.

It's kind of like a cultural shock to hear these things happen here, too.- ElianRenaud, Hawkesbury resident

But most of those interviewed by CBC Newsalso saidthey'll continue to use the hospital a bilingual, 100-bed facility with a range of programs and services from its main campus in Hawkesbury, and two satellite centres in Clarence-Rockland and Casselman.

Nadler,a specialist in internal medicine, was arrested Thursday evening. The 35-year-old, who lives in Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Que., appeared in court on Friday and was charged with one count of first-degree murder. As of early Sunday, police hadn't provided details about the deceased personor how many deaths they're investigating.

"Its completecrazy, for a small town," said resident Suzie Lalonde. "Everybody talking about it."

Elian Renaud said these are the kind of stories you hear coming out of bigcities like Ottawa, Montreal or Toronto.

"You're from a small town, everyone here knows each other and nothing everhappens in this town, crazy like that," he said. "It's kind of like a cultural shock to hear these things happen here, too."

2 COVID-19 outbreaks

The murder case is the latest setbackthis month for the hospital, as it's also been dealing with two COVID-19 outbreaks.

Earlier this week, the hospital confirmed 16 patients and five staff had tested positive for COVID-19, and five deaths have been linkedto the virus.

Conway, who has lived in the area all her life, said the redevelopment of the hospital and how it's been "built up all brand new," along with the addition of more specialists, have been "wonderful for the whole community."

But now, local officials are being forced to focus on the arrest of one of its doctors and assuage fears.

On Friday,Hawkesbury Mayor Paula Assalyaskedpeople to remain calm and not be afraid to seek care at the hospital.

The next day,OPPspokesperson Bill Dickson toldCBC News that, for the people ofHawkesbury,"this is a traumatic experience for everyone."

WATCH|OPPspokesperson speaks onhow the murder investigation is affecting families:

Police meeting with families shaken by murder charge against Hawkesbury doctor

3 years ago

Duration 0:37

OPP spokesperson Bill Dickson answers questions about investigation into suspicious deaths at Hawkesbury and District General Hospital.

Retiree Ana Lecuyer had recently been transferred to the Hawkesbury hospital for her three-times-a-week dialysis treatment, a welcome development that meant she no longer had to make the hour-plus trek to Ottawa.

She has nothing but praise for the facility, but the murder charge has left her shaken.

I'm stressed out. It bothers me a lot.-Ana Lecuyer, on learning about police investigation

"I didn't wantto come back to the hospital," she said. "I'm stressed out. It bothers me a lot."

Carole Gocmanac, however, saysshe has complete confidence in the safety of her former mother-in-law, who is99 and currently in theHawkesbury hospital.

"Her family's always there," said Gocmanac, who praised the hospital, and its staff and cleanliness.

Guylaine Lafrance also expressed support for the hospital, but raised concerns over its due diligence in checking the work history, or "the priors," ofdoctors.

During Nadler's residency at the University of Saskatchewan's medical school from July 2014 to September 2018, he faced two unprofessional conduct charges, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan has said.

Documents showone charge wasfor allegedly calling a female colleague a "bitch" after an argumentandtelling someone else he "felt like slapping" that colleague. Another charge involvedpatient record-keeping. But the college didn't pursue the charges after Nadlerapologized and took a couple of courses.

Chris Bennett, who alsowas a patient at the Hawkesbury hospital, suggested it's too early to determine whether officials there should have done a more thorough background check on the doctor.

"You canmaybe understandthe need for doctors," he said. "They're not going to turn away anybody if it's something that was minor there."