As I begin my term as Chair of CPSO’s Board of Directors, I am deeply honoured to support Ontario’s physicians, physician assistants, and the patients who place their trust in us. As a practicing family and emergency medicine physician, I see every day how effective governance and oversight help maintain high standards of care and strengthen public confidence in our profession.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Sarah Reid, our outgoing Board Chair, for her steady guidance over the past year. I also want to recognize the dedication of our Board of Directors and committee members, whose collective efforts continue to strengthen CPSO and the medical profession in Ontario.

Looking ahead to 2026, we have an ambitious and meaningful agenda. We will rebuild and launch a new website for the College, creating a more accessible and user-friendly experience for the public, applicants, and registrants. We will conduct a comprehensive end-to-end review of our policy review process – including an assessment of the scope, impact and alignment of policies with right touch regulation – and will make efforts to further enhance the Board Director election process. We also look forward to our second five-year Quality Program cycle, a cornerstone of professional growth and learning for Ontario physicians, all while reinforcing the College’s commitment to improving the timelines for processing applications for registration and issuing licenses. (Please see more about the College’s Key Performance Indicators for 2026.) 

As I begin my ninth and final year on the Board, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to work alongside my Board colleagues and the exceptional professionals at CPSO. Together, we will continue to foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and trust, ensuring that the College remains responsive, transparent, and focused on safe, high-quality care for all Ontarians.  

Patrick Safieh

Board Chair (2026)