NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO COLLEGE OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS
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Dr. Kimberley Ann McIntosh of Orillia has been named a 2021 Regional Family Physician of the Year by the Ontario College of Family Physicians.
Nominated by their peers, the award is presented annually to seven family doctors across Ontario who provide exemplary care to their patients and contribute to excellence in family medicine. Dr. McIntosh is the award recipient for Central East and North Simcoe Muskoka.
“Dr. McIntosh is an incredible advocate for comprehensive, integrated care, and for using her network of well-established relationships to bring people and organizations together,” said Carmine Stumpo, President and CEO, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH).
“I am among many who have been inspired by Kim’s approach in the Orillia community both within and outside the hospital to make a difference in the lives of the people she interacts with.”
Dr. McIntosh exemplifies the vital role family physicians play across Ontario as clinicians, advocates, teachers, and researchers. This award was presented to Dr. McIntosh at the OCFP’s virtual Awards Ceremony on November 10, 2021. A list of all awardees is posted on OCFP’s website.
Integrating care to improve the health of the Orillia community— leaving no one behind
As a University of Toronto rural medicine resident, Dr. McIntosh arrived for her placement at OSMH 20 years ago and never left. Since opening her own practice in 2001, she has provided comprehensive family medicine care including obstetrics, in-patient and palliative care.
She has taught countless students and residents in her office, at home visits, and in birthing and in-patient units, and held numerous leadership roles at OSMH, the Couchiching Family Health Team and the Couchiching Ontario Health Team (OHT).
Dr. McIntosh has an unrelenting passion for collaboration—whether she is advocating for supports for local marginalized populations or reaching out to community physicians, clinics, and services.
Her inclusive approach builds relationships and opens doors to opportunities. She has pioneered the physician lead role for the OHT, helping the OHT to co-locate chronic disease services and contributing to governance and operations to continue integrating and enhancing services for all patients.
Dr. McIntosh’s championing of interagency and interprofessional collaborations has resulted in measurable outcomes in opioid safety; a Home First philosophy that reduces the length of hospital stays; home visits by paramedics to help patients better manage chronic disease and avoid ER visits; and a network of physicians and services to support the new on-site medical clinic at the homeless shelter, among other initiatives.
When the COVID-19 crisis erupted, Dr. McIntosh created a high-functioning Assessment Centre at OSMH, giving family doctors a place to refer patients. She led staff training and regular huddles to reassure, inspire and motivate her primary care colleagues.
Her diligent and determined leadership also led to the coordination of Primary Care, Long-Term Care and Retirement Home pandemic response tables including membership from all local homes, public health, hospital, homecare, local pharmacies, and others to address the risk to seniors living in congregate settings and to support care providers, even before the risk arrived.
And when vaccines became available, Dr. McIntosh made it her mission to inoculate as many community members as she could—from vaccinating people at the local food bank to visiting homebound residents in Coldwater and surrounding communities.
“Dr. McIntosh’s enthusiasm for building partnerships to improve patient care highlights the value of collaborative care in the health and wellbeing of the community,” said Dr. Elizabeth Muggah, President, Ontario College of Family Physicians. “Her extraordinary leadership has helped the Couchiching Ontario Health Team to offer enhanced services to patients as well as successfully navigate Orillia’s pandemic response, and I am pleased to recognize her contributions with this Award.”
About the Ontario College of Family Physicians
The Ontario College of Family Physicians represents more than 15,000 family physicians across the province. We support our members 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.
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