Election Results
A record number of candidates ran in Districts 5 and 10
A record number of physicians ran in our recent Council election. There were 22 candidates in the district that covers the city of Toronto and 10 candidates in District 5, which includes Simcoe, Muskoka, Durham, Peel and York. This is quadruple the number in the previous election held in the same districts.
“We were extremely pleased with not only the number of physicians who decided to run in the recent election, but also with the calibre of the physicians who chose to run,” said Dr. Brenda Copps, CPSO President. “It was heartening to see so many physicians wanting to use their skills and experience in the service of self-regulation,” she said.
“I look forward to meeting and working with these physicians as we ensure that Ontario patients continue to get the quality care they deserve,” said Dr. Copps.
District 5
Counties of Simcoe, District Municipality of Muskoka, Regional Municipalities of Durham, Peel and York: 2 positions
Dr. Kashif Pirzada
Brampton
Graduated from: University of Toronto
Principal area of practice: Emergency Medicine (CCFP-EM)
Current hospital appointments: William Osler Health System (all 3 sites), Humber River Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Dr. Pirzada is an emergency physician practising in Brampton and Toronto, and holds faculty appointments at McMaster University and the University of Toronto.
Dr. Pirzada was a co-founder of the group Conquer-COVID-19, which supplied PPE when supplies were scarce at the height of the pandemic. He is co-chair of Masks4Canada, and presented to many city councils across the country to get universal masking by-laws passed. He is also co-chair of the Critical Drugs Coalition, which is seeking a permanent end to drug shortages in Canada.
Clinically, in addition to front-line emergency work, he led M&M rounds at his hospital and established a simulation education program, one of the only community hospital-based accredited simulation programs in the country.
Dr. Anne J. Walsh
Newmarket
Graduated from: University of Glasgow and University of Toronto
Principal area of practice: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Current hospital appointments: Southlake Regional Health Centre
In her 25 years at Southlake Regional Health Centre in York Region, Dr. Walsh acquired experience in administration, leadership and teaching.
She also had a term as Chief of the Department of OBGYN, which involved membership of the Medical Advisory Council, as well as the Quality of Care Committee. Her work with QCC sparked an interest in patient safety and conflict resolution, such that she applied for a position on CPSO’s Inquiries, Compaints and Reports Committee. She has sat on ICRC since 2018.
Dr. Walsh has held academic positions at both University of Toronto and McMaster University, and has had a role as mentor and preceptor to physician learners since 2006.
District 10
City of Toronto: 4 positions
Dr. Glen Bandiera
Toronto
Graduated from: University of Toronto
Principal area of practice: Emergency Medicine
Current hospital appointments: Unity Health — St. Michael’s Hospital
Dr. Bandiera has been an emergency physician in an inner-city ED for 22 years. He has been a hospital Department Chief, Medical Advisory Committee Chair, and member of two hospital operating boards, which has given him experience in practice oversight, due process, and institutional governance.
Dr. Bandiera has had several university education leadership roles and currently serves as Postgraduate Associate Dean responsible for the education of more than 3,600 future doctors. Nationally, he has been involved in the Royal College, College of Family Physicians of Canada, and has served on Medical Council of Canada committees. He was also the President of the Canadian Association for Medical Education.
Dr. Deborah Robertson
Toronto
Graduated from: McGill University
Principal area of practice: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Current hospital appointments: Unity Health — St. Michael’s Hospital
Dr. Robertson has a full-time, inner-city obstetrical and gynecological practice that encompasses clinical, academic and surgical responsibilities.
She also has more than six years experience working within the CPSO on the Quality Assurance Committee (QAC), with three years as Co-Chair of the QAC.
In addition to her medical education, Dr. Robertson has a MSL (Master of Studies in Law) degree.
Dr. Camille Lemieux
Toronto
Graduated from: Queen’s University
Principal area of practice: Family Medicine
Current hospital appointments: University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital Site
Dr. Lemieux has practised family medicine for more than 20 years, the last 14 years spent within an academic setting at the University Health Network. After completing medical training, she returned to study both law and epidemiology, earning an LLB and MPH.
Dr. Lemieux has sat on various Boards, including her own Family Health Team Board, the Board of Infection Prevention and Control Canada, and the UHN hospital board. She was president of the UHN Medical Staff Association and is currently chief of her department (family and community medicine) at UHN.
Currently, Dr. Lemieux is working with the Toronto Central LHIN in relation to COVID and formation of an Ontario Health Team.
Dr. Lemieux has served as a CPSO assessor.
Dr. Patrick Safieh
Toronto
Graduated From: University of Toronto
Principal area of practice: Family and Emergency Medicine
Current hospital appointments: Humber River Hospital, Unity Health — St. Joseph’s Health Centre
Dr. Safieh has been on the CPSO Council for the last three years and the Quality Assurance Committee for 12 years.
He is a family and emergency physician who has extensive experience as a Chief and Medical Staff Association Executive member.
Dr. Safieh is an Active Community Physician who teaches learners of all stages and has extensive administrative experience in two large community hospitals.
At St. Joseph’s Health Centre, he was Co-Chair of the hospital’s Quality Care Committee, which reviewed patient related critical events from a quality of care and systems perspective.