After spending nearly 16 years in Timmins, mostly as their pathologist and laboratory director, Penswick accepted the position of full-time pathologist and medical director of laboratory services.

“I’m the only full-time pathologist (here) so basically anything that pertains to the lab I’m involved in and (am) responsible for the overall direction of the lab, and that’s the sort of position I enjoy,” he said. “There’s a great deal of variety in it, a lot of different things to do. . . . Here basically anything that’s taken out during surgery I’m going to be seeing.”

Penswick, 44, was previously the associate director of laboratories at the Timmins and District Hospital.

He emigrated to Canada in 1967 from the U.K. and was raised in Pembroke, ON, earning his medical licence in 1988, followed by a certificate in general pathology from the Royal College of Physicians in 1992, an MBA from Queen’s University in 1996 and a fellowship in dermatopathology from the University of British Columbia in 2004.

“I like more of the ability to work with information and materials possibly than the sort of direct patient care aspect,” said Penswick of his decision to pursue pathology. “It’s an intellectual challenge, it’s a great intellectual stimulation, and it’s a great working environment. You’re a lot more in control of what you do than somebody who’s in surgery or something.”

Penswick moved to Bracebridge alone and is currently renting, but hopes to buy a house in the near future.

“It’s a great place, even at this time of year when everything’s covered in dirt and filthy snow,” he said laughing. “This is a really nice place. It’s a very attractive town (and) it’s a picturesque place.”

Although he is primarily working out of the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital site in Bracebridge, Penswick said he tries to get to Huntsville District Memorial Hospital several times a week to keep up on the lab services there.