REACH Niagara is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Kim Bender as our new
Medical Director. A long-time Niagara resident and respected physician, Dr. Bender
brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and leadership to this role. Her skills will
help guide REACH’s efforts to provide accessible, low-barrier healthcare to underserved
populations across the Niagara Region.
Dr. Bender is a graduate of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster
University. Her extensive background spans family medicine, hospital care, geriatric
health, dementia, behavioural health, and long-term care. She has practiced at West
Lincoln Memorial Hospital and Albright Manor in Beamsville, and has held an academic
appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster, mentoring the next generation
of family physicians.
Most recently, she served as Medical Director for Regina Gardens Long-Term Care in
Hamilton and as a physician at Brock University’s Student Wellness Centre. Her first
connection with REACH came in 2023, when she stepped in to provide care at our
clinics. The experience left a lasting impression.
“I was struck by the incredible impact that REACH is making in the region, especially
the way the team works together to provide seamless care,” said Dr. Bender. “REACH is
a model of what healthcare can look like when organizations work together toward
patient-centered care. I’m honoured to be a part of this amazing team.”
In her new role, Dr. Bender aims to build on REACH Niagara’s foundation with
preventative, upstream interventions—helping people stabilize their health, reconnect
with traditional care systems, and rebuild their lives with hope and dignity.
We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Karl Stobbe, our Founding
Medical Director, for his tireless and transformative work in helping to shape REACH
Niagara from its inception. Dr. Stobbe will continue to serve as Medical Director -
Substance Use and Addictions Programming, where his expertise and passion will
remain vital to our evolving work.
Carolyn Dyer, REACH Niagara’s Executive Director had this to say, “there was a point in
time where so very few of our most vulnerable community members could receive
healthcare services - Dr. Stobbe changed that. He envisioned a system where everyone
regardless of social status received dignified primary care and I am endlessly grateful
for his leadership in doing this for our community. I am looking forward to welcoming Dr.
Kim Bender to our leadership team. It is a unique role and requires someone who
deeply understands our organization’s goals and needs on a fundamental level which
Dr. Bender continually has. I am looking forward to what this year will bring for REACH
Niagara”.
To mark this exciting new chapter, we are also proud to introduce our new video:
“Where Care Meets Need”. The video looks back at REACH Niagara’s founding under
Dr. Stobbe while talking about REACH Niagara’s present status, and looking to the
future under Dr. Bender’s leadership.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msonvgxvnb0
About REACH Niagara
REACH Niagara (Regional Essential Access to Connected Healthcare) is a
not-for-profit, charitable organization based in Niagara, Ontario, dedicated to improving
access to healthcare for individuals who are marginalized, underserved, or experiencing
homelessness. The organization operates mobile health clinics and collaborates with
local partners to provide essential health services, including primary care, mental health
counselling, and substance use programming. REACH Niagara's vision is that all
individuals who are homeless or marginalized have equitable access to healthcare in
the Niagara Region.