Nova Scotia saw a net gain of 199 new physicians in the calendar year ending on March 31, according to the province.

This includes 33 hires coming from the United States.

Dr. Amanda MacDonald Green, the new president of Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS), says the numbers are a great sign.

“We’re really excited and encouraged by the amount of recruitment that’s been able to happen in this province,” she told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis.

She credits the incoming numbers with more competitive compensation and efforts from the government.

“The more we can make physicians and other health-care workers feel a part of the community, the more likely they are to stay,” said Doctors Nova Scotia president, Amanda MacDonald Green. “Overall, it is huge (what) they’ve been able to do over the last year, bringing in new physicians and our hope is that it continues to spinoff into improvements with retention.”

Doctors Nova Scotia hopes all 20 graduates of Dalhousie University’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies program will stay in the province and be part of the health-care system’s future.

“Right now, it’s a small role,” says Dr. Amanda MacDonald Green, president of Doctors Nova Scotia. “We’re hoping to see that expand, and especially as we are moving to more ‘health home’ models.