An already pronounced problem at St. John's hospitals has become worse with the resignation of an another anesthesiologist.

Dr. William Flexer will be leaving Eastern Health in June for a better job in Alberta, as well as for family reasons.

Flexer was hired to do pediatric surgery at the Janeway hospital, but he also worked in adult operating rooms at the Health Sciences Centre and at the St. Clare's Hospital, all in St. John's.

"I just wrote my resignation letter today, actually, to Dr. Guy and I said how much we're going to miss the place," Flexer told CBC News Thursday.

Dr. John Guy, the director of medical services, said the departure poses problems for Eastern Health, which has already been so short of anesthesiologists that it has had to cancel some surgeries. In April alone, one quarter of urology surgeries had to be cancelled.

"Anytime somebody leaves, there's obviously a gap that's left behind that needs to be filled," Guy told CBC News.

"We're sorry to see Dr. Flexer go. He's a good anesthetist. We will somehow have to make up that gap his departure will leave."

The resignation comes as Eastern Health is preparing for the resignation, also in June, of the clinical chief of anesthesia, Dr. Frank King.

Guy said King will continue to treat patients, and that a search committee is looking for a new clinical chief.

The authority is hoping to recruit two new anesthesiologists this year.