Leadership

Dr. Firas Al-Dhaher attended the University of Western Ontario for his undergraduate studies and for his medical school. He completed his residency training in Family Medicine at Western University in 2007. Since graduation, Dr. Al-Dhaher has practiced comprehensive rural family medicine in Petrolia, Ontario, at the Central Lambton Family Health Team, as well as Hospitalist and Emergency Medicine at Bluewater Health. He has led the Petrolia Family Medicine Training site from 2010 until recently, and serves on the Advisory Committee at the Department of Family Medicine as the Adjunct Faculty Representative, and at the Rural Ontario Medical Program. He has a strong interest in rural medicine, physician leadership, and resident education.

Dr. Jennifer Bondy attended Queen’s University for her undergraduate studies, followed by Western University for a Masters in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and medical school. Dr. Bondy completed her Postgraduate Medical Training at McMaster University. Her clinical roles and experience include nearly a decade in family medicine as well as a dedication to providing medical services to people experiencing homelessness. Aside from clinical practice, Dr. Bondy dedicates time to teaching and research through her roles as an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at University of Windsor and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Western, where she is the Academic Director of Undergraduate Family Medicine for the Windsor Campus. Finally, in addition to her role as a board member with the OCFP, Dr. Bondy lends her time and expertise to the eHealth Centre of Excellence in Kitchener as a Physician Advisor, and the Board of Health of the Windsor Essex County Health Unit. Former leadership positions include work with the Windsor-Essex OHT, Erie-St. Clair Primary Care Action Table of the COVID-19 Non-Hospital Pandemic Planning Committee, and the AFHT Board of Directors, amongst others. Currently, Dr. Bondy is the medical director for Windsor Shelter Health, and practices at several shelters and drop-in centres for people experiencing homelessness in Windsor, Ontario.

Dr. Jocelyn Charles graduated from the University of Western Ontario, completing both her undergraduate studies and medical school in London, Ontario. She completed her residency and an Academic Fellowship, focused on Health Care for the Elderly, through the University of Toronto. More recently she completed her Masters Degree in Health Practitioner Teacher Education, also at the University of Toronto. Since 1990, Dr. Charles has been a dedicated, full-time family physician with the Division of Family Practice at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and over the course of her impressive career. She has been tapped to take on several interim and permanent leadership roles at Sunnybrook including, Chief, Department of Family & Community Medicine from 2011 to 2017 and Chair, Medical Advisory Committee from 2017 to 2019. From 2011 to 2021, Dr. Charles was an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, at the University of Toronto. ​

As a sought-after leader, Dr. Charles has held numerous roles locally, provincially, and nationally, including as Advisor for Primary Care for the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network, the Primary Care Co-Lead for the North Toronto Ontario Health Team, the Clinical Lead for North Toronto Health Link, and the Chair of the Ontario Primary Care Council. Currently, Dr. Charles is a Professor in Department of Family and Community Medicine at U of T, holds a cross-appointment with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and serves as the Medical Director and Program Chief at Sunnybrook’s Veterans Program, in addition to her comprehensive family practice work with an added focus on care of the elderly.

David Courtemanche brings 25 years of senior administrative experience in the health and municipal sectors. He is the founding Director of the City of Lakes Family Health Team – an organization of 18 family physicians and interprofessional healthcare professionals providing primary care services to over 22,000 patients. He served in public office for almost a decade and, at 39 years old, became the youngest elected Mayor in the history of Sudbury. During that period, he served on the local Board of Health and led multiple community health initiatives including the Healthy Communities Strategy and the adoption of a 100% Smoke-free Bylaw. ​

A graduate of the University of Guelph, he majored in Political Studies and holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership. He provides management consultant services via Leading Minds Inc – a leadership development firm established 1997 – serving numerous clients such as the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Canadian College of Health Leaders and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University. He is LEADS Canada certified as well as a certified LEADS Canada Coach and has achieved the Canadian Health Executive (CHE) designation under the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

Dr. Nicole Desmarais acquired a Bachelor of Liberal Sciences at Laurentian University in Sudbury. She completed her medical studies at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Desmarais made her way back to her hometown of Sudbury where she completed her Family Medicine Residency at the Northern Ontario Family Medicine Program. She is a Fellow of the Canadian College of Family Physicians, since 2007. For over 25 years, she has provided comprehensive, evidence-based, patient-centered care in her small community outside of Sudbury. She has worked at the Sudbury Public Health Unit, in a Francophone community health centre, a blended capitation system, and is currently working in the capitation model in the St-Joseph’s Family Health Organization, which she co-founded in 2009. ​

Dr. Desmarais is an Associate Professor in the clinical services division of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and has educated and mentored medical students, physician assistants, and family medicine residents. She has participated as an examiner for the CCFP during the Francophone Family Medicine Simulated Office Oral exams, and as a member of the selection committee for future family medicine residents at the NOSM. ​

Working within the capitation model at the St-Joseph’s Family Health Organization, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to patient-centered care. In May of 2022, she completed a Fellowship in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Additionally, she was selected by the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) to be part of the inaugural cohort of the OCFP Rotman Leadership Academy, where she has acquired invaluable executive leadership pearls, to elevate her leadership skills to the next level. She looks forward to utilizing these skills, as a Board Director of the OCFP.​

Dr. Patricia Froese completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa before pursuing medical school at the University of Ottawa and family medicine residency at McMaster University. She has provided comprehensive family medicine in Kitchener-Waterloo since 2017, as a part of an academic FHT since 2020. Beyond working in an office-based setting, she is a newborn hospitalist and works in long-term care facilities. Dr. Froese has many leadership roles including being a member of the KW4 OHT Primary Care Leadership Action Committee, a director on the Centre for Family Medicine FHT Board, and the newsletter editor for the KW4 OHT Primary Care newsletter. She has been a board director with the OCFP since 2020. Additionally, Dr. Froese is an Assistant Clinical Professor with McMaster University and enjoys teaching and mentoring medical students and residents. She was honoured to be selected as the McMaster University KW Preceptor of the Year in 2023.

Dr. Michael Gagnon completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto and medical school in Ireland at the Royal College of Surgeons, followed by residency at Abington Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania. Dr. Gagnon has practised family medicine at Bolton Family Health Organization since 2007, and, in addition to his clinical responsibilities, he is an active preceptor for rural family medicine residents. Since 2012, Dr. Gagnon has offered his leadership to Bethell Hospice as the Medical Director, with responsibility for policy and procedure program development. Further to his passion for care for those at the end of life, Dr. Gagnon has been a LEAP Facilitator, teaching Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative and End of Life Care. His teaching responsibilities also include his position as a Lecturer in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and he has published both practice guides and research on specific clinical areas. Dr. Gagnon has been a dedicated board member with OCFP since 2020, was the Medical Lead for the Central West Palliative Care Network from 2014 to 2018 and has participated extensively in the leadership of the Hills of Headwaters OHT along with the completion of multiple international medical missions over the course of his career. Today, Dr Gagnon continues in his family practice while also holding responsibilities as a family medicine staff member at Headwaters Healthcare Centre.

Dr. Allen Greenwood attended the University of Western Ontario for his undergraduate studies in Physiology and Philosophy, followed by Simon Fraser University where he completed a Master of Business Administration and Queen’s University for medical school. Dr. Greenwood completed his Family Medicine residency through UofT along with a fellowship in Emergency Medicine for rural Ontario Family Doctors. His clinical roles and experience include: urgent care and emergency room medicine, comprehensive family medicine in rural Ontario, surgical assist, and more recently, combatting the pandemic as staff at Trillium Health Partners and Women’s College Hospital in their respective COVID outpatient programs. Dr. Greenwood has been a dedicated member of the OCFP board since 2020 and joined the board of Mississauga Health Primary Care Network in the spring of 2022.

Dr. Doug Gruner completed both his undergraduate studies and medical school at McMaster University in Hamilton and selected McGill University for his residency program. Additionally, in 2008 he became a Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. With over 25 years’ clinical work to his credit, Dr. Gruner began his career as an emergency room physician and lent his services to several communities in northern Ontario, prior to permanently setting roots in the Ottawa area. In Eastern Ontario he has continued to work in emergency medicine and has split his time with family medicine and teaching at the University of Ottawa as an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine. Concurrently, Dr. Gruner has published nearly a dozen research papers, contributed to a number of textbooks, made regular conference presentations and been the recipient of tens of thousands of dollars in grants while dedicating significant time to important international health work. Over the course of his career, Dr. Gruner has given back to his community through leadership and advocacy efforts, largely dedicated to ensuring the health of newcomers and refugees, including his three-year term as Director of Global Health at the University of Ottawa. Today, Dr. Gruner continues in his academic post while seeing patients at his practice at Bruyère Family Medicine Centre.

Steven Lewis completed his undergraduate degree at University of Ottawa and went on to attain his Juris Doctor at University of Windsor before being called to the Bar of Ontario in 2013. Following his education and articling, Steven began his career as a Judicial Clerk at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice before taking his first health-focused role at Cancer Care Ontario as Legal Counsel and Accessibility Advisor. Outside of his legal focused work, Steven has lent his talents to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. as their Online Education Manager. In addition to his work with OCFP, Steven volunteers with several organizations including but not limited to, Rugby Canada, International Association of Accessibility Professionals, and Human Resources Professionals Association. Currently Steven is Senior Legal Counsel and Accessibility Lead at Capital One Bank (Canada).

Dr. Taylor Lougheed completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph before moving on to Queen’s University to complete his medical degree and a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality. He completed his Family Medicine residency at U of T and additional training in Emergency Medicine at University of Ottawa. Over the course of his career, Dr. Lougheed has practiced emergency medicine, sports medicine, and family medicine while also previously serving on the Ontario Consent and Capacity Board. He currently holds academic appointments at the University of Ottawa, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and Queen’s University, and has been a clinical supervisor at The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO, and the North Bay Regional Health Centre. Dr. Lougheed has been asked to make dozens of presentations and has published several manuscripts, many of which focus on the use of cannabis in medical practice. In addition to his board responsibilities with the OCFP, Dr. Lougheed also serves with the Children’s Aid Society of the District of North Bay and Parry Sound, North Bay Physicians Local Education Group, CAEP Antiracism and Anticolonialism Committee and many others. Dr. Lougheed lives and works in North Bay where he practices sports medicine at North Bay Sport Medicine and emergency medicine at North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC). He is the current Chief of Emergency Medicine and President of the Medical Staff at NBRHC.

Dr. Kim McIntosh completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Western Ontario and medical school at McMaster University, followed by the Rural Family Medicine Residency Program at the University of Toronto and in Orillia. Since completing her formal education, she has provided comprehensive primary care in a community practice inclusive of 10 years in emergency medicine, 20 years of obstetrical care, ongoing in-patient and community comprehensive care and teaching through several universities’ Faculty of Medicine appointments. Dr. McIntosh was formerly the OCFP’s successful nominee to the Provincial Primary Care Advisory Table, the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN Couchiching Sub-Region Lead, and the Program Medical Director – Medicine, Flow, Integrated Care, Covid Response – at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH). Presently, Dr. McIntosh serves her community as a comprehensive care family physician, as the Physician Lead for the Couchiching Ontario Health Team (COHT), as Chief of Staff at OSMH, and as a Board Member of the Couchiching Family Health Team.

Abhi Mukherjee holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Honours) and professional designations of CPA, CA, and CPA (Colorado, USA). He brings a wealth of knowledge and financial acumen and more than 30 years of progressive work experience, including leadership at several research-intensive teaching hospitals. Most recently, he was the Corporate Services Executive and CFO at the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), where he was responsible for financial management while ensuring alignment to the hospital’s strategic plan and operational goals. Abhi believes in partnering to serve patients and takes pride in building trusting relationships with clinical teams. He collaborates with his colleagues to build and strengthen team culture grounded in compassion, acceptance and understanding. Most importantly, he is very passionate about ‘bringing joy to work’. Abhi also serves on the London Chamber of Commerce and has been a member on the President’s Advisory Council at the Oak Valley Hospital.

Dr. Jobin Varughese has held several leadership roles in the healthcare sector: he is an administrator within medical education, currently serving as Interim Assistant Dean of Primary Care Education for the School of Medicine at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and as Associate Vice President of Academics at William Osler Health System. ​

​Dr. Varughese completed medical school in the Caribbean followed by residency in family medicine and a fellowship in geriatrics in Michigan, before returning home to Brampton where he has been practising for the last 14 years. ​

​He has practiced in Fee For Service clinics, Family Health Teams and Family Health Organizations, as well as a hospitalist, in rehab. Dr. Varughese was medical director in long-term care (LTC) during the pandemic, where he saw first-hand how much support LTC residents need during a crisis. At the same time, Dr. Varughese was Site Director for McMaster Family Medicine Residency program supporting a different kind of resident – medical learners –for eight years. His varied experiences give him perspective into the challenges that family physicians are facing in numerous areas of practice and from several perspectives.

Dr. Eric Wong studied at the University of Toronto, completing a Bachelor of Science before attending medical school, completing his residency and a Master of Clinical Science (Family Medicine) at Western University. Dr. Wong has practiced family medicine for more than 20 years in both fee-for-service and mixed-capitated environments. He has held various academic appointments over the course of his career, including his current role as Associate Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. ​

Dr. Wong brings strong leadership and governance skills to the board. His involvement in various care settings, such as offices, hospitals, patients’ homes and long-term care, along with his role as Medical Director of the Thames Valley Family Health Team, provides him with a broad perspective of how local conditions influence health care provision. He is also the Clinical Director for Practice Ready Ontario and a past Director, Certification and Examinations of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. ​

He currently practises comprehensive family medicine in London and works with vulnerable populations, primarily those who are home-bound or institutionalized, and serves as the medical director of four local retirement and long-term care homes.

Dr. Ilan Shahin completed his undergraduate degree at McGill University before remaining at the institution to complete a concurrent medical degree and Master of Business Administration. Following his studies at McGill he made his way to the University of Toronto to complete residency. Since the completion of his formal education Dr. Shahin accepted a position as a Health Innovation Fellow at Women’s College Hospital, forming part of an internal incubator for projects within the hospital system. Continuing along the path of innovation, Dr. Shahin co-founded CounsultLoop, an e-referral platform and wait time directory. From a research perspective, Dr. Shahin was a founding member of Li Ka Shing Institutes’ Toronto Health Organization Performance Evaluation where he co-authored several academic publications as well as a book. Dr. Shahin has been a committed board member with OCFP since 2021 and is currently an emergency department staff physician at William Osler Health System.