NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO COLLEGE OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS
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Dr. Erika Catford of Orillia has been named a 2018 recipient of the Ontario College of Family Physicians Regional Family Physician of the Year Award.
Nominated by their peers, the award is presented annually to seven Ontario family doctors – one from each region of the province – who provide exemplary care to their patients and are passionately involved in activities that contribute to excellence in family medicine.
Dr. Catford is the award recipient for Central East and North Simcoe Muskoka. She will be presented the award at the OCFP Awards Ceremony on Nov. 14, 2018 in Toronto. A list of all awardees is posted on OCFP’s website.
“Dr. Catford has been a leader in the community since starting her practice in Orillia,” said Josiah (Si) Lowry, co-chair, Mariposa House Hospice. “Her knowledge and understanding of palliative care has been a guiding light for all doctors in Orillia. She has worked tirelessly for the past two years to see the Hospice project through.”
The announcement comes during Family Doctor Week in Canada, which runs from Nov. 12-17, and is an opportunity to acknowledge the vital work family physicians do to help keep Ontarians healthy. This includes working in primary care, hospitals, home and community care, long-term care and public health, as well as in research and academia.
Building a legacy of community activism, medical leadership and inspirational teaching
A central figure in Orillia’s medical community, Dr. Catford’s family medicine practice encompasses prenatal and birthing care, inpatient medical care, home visits and palliative care for her patients. She has initiated several programs to help patients, including a Health Portal to make booking appointments easier and a Diabetic Program where patients meet quarterly to share questions and results.
She served as the chief of family medicine at Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital (OSMH) from 2015-2017 and was awarded the OSMH Board Award of Excellence for palliative care leadership.
Since 2008, Dr. Catford has helped to develop and improve 30 rural teaching sites in her role as director of Rural Teaching Practice Program at the University of Toronto. Over 40 family medicine residents have benefited from rotations in her practice; and in 2012, she received the Hollister King Award for excellence in rural teaching.
Dr. Catford’s passion for providing palliative care led her to champion the building of Mariposa House Hospice – a five-bed residential hospice in Orillia. As co-founder, she obtained provincial funding and land approvals, and kicked off an ambitious fundraising campaign.
“As an inspirational teacher and champion for rural medical practice, Dr. Catford embodies what it means to be a full spectrum family physician,” said Dr. Glenn Brown, OCFP president. “Her advocacy and dedication to improving hospice and palliative care has made her community stronger. It is a pleasure to acknowledge her contributions and achievements through this award.”
About the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP)
The Ontario College of Family Physicians represents more than 13,500 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.
About Family Doctor Week in Canada
From Nov. 12-17, 2018, the College of Family Physicians of Canada and its provincial chapters are celebrating Family Doctor Week in Canada. Family physicians deliver high-quality care across the entire spectrum of patients’ lives and develop special relationships with the communities they serve. This special week allows us to recognize the vital role family physicians play across Canada ─ as clinicians, advocates, teachers, and researchers.
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