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Ontario family doctors driving innovation in health care on World Family Doctor Day
Toronto, ON – May 19, 2026 – The Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) is celebrating World Family Doctor Day by recognizing the vital role family doctors play in delivering care and driving innovation across the province.
This year’s theme, “Family Doctors: Driving Innovation in Health Care,” highlights how family doctors are leading efforts to solve system challenges and shaping the future of care for patients across Ontario.
“Family doctors are reshaping care in real time,” said Dr. Jobin Varughese, President of the OCFP. “Across Ontario, they are finding new ways to care for patients and mentoring the next generation of family physicians. What they’re building today is defining what care will look like tomorrow.”
Across the province, more than 18,000 family doctors and medical students are caring for Ontarians in a wide range of settings, from community clinics to hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care centres, and more.
To mark World Family Doctor Day, the OCFP is highlighting family physicians whose work reflects the innovation happening in family medicine today:
- Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe, a family doctor focused on women’s health, is reimagining care by using new approaches and tools to better support and educate patients.
- Dr. Andrew Pinto and Dr. Archna Gupta, through their work at the Upstream Lab, are addressing social determinants of health and driving solutions that improve access and reduce barriers for patients.
- Dr. Joyce Cheung is helping build the future of care by supporting new models of practice, including locum work, that improve flexibility and sustainability for family doctors.
- Dr. Basel Bari, who advanced cardiovascular disease research and care for underserved communities, has mentored Dr. Aleem Hussain to continue delivering compassionate, patient-centered family medicine.
“What we’re seeing across family medicine is innovation that is grounded in real practice,” said Deepy Sur, CEO of the OCFP. “The opportunity now is to support and scale these solutions so they can strengthen care across the system.”
The OCFP supports family doctors by advancing digital innovation, helping to streamline workflows, supporting physicians through change, and preparing the next generation of family doctors.
This World Family Doctor Day, the OCFP is encouraging Ontarians to recognize the contributions of family doctors and share their appreciation using #WorldFamilyDoctorDay.
To learn more and watch stories from family doctors across Ontario, visit: www.ontariofamilyphysicians.ca/world-family-doctor-day/
About the OCFP
The Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) supports family doctors by providing evidence-based education and professional development, promoting and recognizing leadership excellence in family medicine, and advocating for the vital role family physicians play in delivering the highest quality care to patients and families across Ontario.
Media Contact:
Yara Salama
Director of Strategic Communications, OCFP
media@ocfp.on.ca