TB doctor takes Ontario Medical Association helm

Thunder Bay family physician Stewart Kennedy is the new president of the Ontario Medical Association.

Kennedy, the 130th OMA president, promised to ensure health care is front and centre during the lead-up to October’s provincial election.

“There is no better time to start building a stronger, more patient-focused health-care system,” Kennedy said in a release issued on Sunday. “Ontario’s doctors know that health care is a priority among Ontarians and we hope all political parties will make health care a priority in the election on Oct. 6.”

Kennedy, who has practiced family medicine in Thunder Bay for more than a quarter of a century, laid out a number of initiatives for the coming year.

Included on his to-do list are items such as developing new partnerships and working collaboratively with other associations to improve access to health care services; working with government and other providers to create a sustainable system for future generations; expansion of electronic medical records, and finding ways to enhance quality and effective patient care.