News
Family Medicine Leaders Recognized for Excellence Across Ontario
Ontario College of Family Physicians celebrates 13 award recipients from communities across the province
TORONTO, October 7, 2026 – The Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) is recognizing 13 family physicians, residents, and medical students for their outstanding contributions to family medicine and for demonstrating exception care for patients and communities across Ontario.
The 2026 OCFP Awards celebrate excellence across the profession, from future family physicians demonstrating early leadership to experienced physicians making a lasting difference through patient care, advocacy, teaching, mentorship, innovation, and health system leadership.
“This year’s recipients reflect the extraordinary work happening in family medicine across Ontario,” said Dr. Eric Wong, President of the Ontario College of Family Physicians. “Their innovation, leadership, and commitment to patients are a source of inspiration for all of us as family physicians and demonstrate the important role family medicine plays in communities and across our health system.”
2026 OCFP Award Recipients
Medical Student of the Year
Alessia Pereira, McMaster University, Hamilton
Family Medicine Resident of the Year, Ontario’s Rising Star
Dr. Nkechi Ikeaba, University of Toronto, Toronto
Awards of Excellence
- Dr. Jennifer Bondy, Windsor
- Dr. Loredana Di Santo, Vaughan
- Dr. Rajesh Girdhari, Toronto
- Dr. Ojistoh Horn, Akwesasne
- Dr. Samantha Lavitt, Kemptville
Regional Family Physicians of the Year
- North East Region: Dr. Edward Hirvi, Sault Ste. Marie
- North West Region: Dr. Eliseo Orrantia, Marathon
- East Region: Dr. James Fullerton, Carleton Place
- Central Region: Dr. Shane Teper, Brampton
- Toronto Region: Dr. Karen Chu, Toronto
- West Region: Dr. Sonny Cejic, London
Learn more about the 2026 OCFP award recipients and their contributions to family medicine.
Among this year’s recipients, Dr. Eliseo Orrantia was also named Ontario’s 2026 Reg L. Perkin Family Physician of the Year, the OCFP’s highest honour recognizing an exceptional family physician who exemplifies excellence in family medicine.
“It is through our collective muscle and collaboration that we make the primary care system work. I believe it is our duty to continue to learn, innovate and implement to improve family medicine,” said Dr. Orrantia.
“Family physicians across Ontario are continually finding ways to make care better for their patients and communities,” said Deepy Sur, CEO of the Ontario College of Family Physicians. “At a time of unprecedented investment in primary care, the leadership and experience of family physicians will be essential to shaping what comes next. These recipients demonstrate the commitment, innovation, and leadership that will help strengthen family medicine for the future.”
The recipients were celebrated at the OCFP’s Evening of Excellence on September 24, 2026, in Toronto, bringing together family physicians and health system leaders from across Ontario.
For Dr. Ojistoh Horn, a 2026 Award of Excellence recipient, the award offered a meaningful opportunity to step back from the demands of the clinic and recognize the profound impact family physicians have on the lives of their patients and communities.
“When you’re working in your clinic, often there’s not a lot of recognition. It’s nice to be recognized, and then of course be recognized by your peers and be recognized within a group of people who have done such incredible work. I really appreciate this award,” said Dr. Horn.
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The Ontario College of Family Physicians represents more than 18,000 family physicians, residents, medical students, and retired family physicians across Ontario, and advocates for policies that strengthen access to family physicians and improve health outcomes for patients.
Media Contact:
Yara Salama
Director of Strategic Communications, OCFP
media@ocfp.on.ca