New OMA President brings wealth of experience to role

TORONTO, May 3, 2015 /CNW/ - Dr. Mike Toth brings with him a wealth of expertise as he steps forward to lead Ontario's 28,000 doctors.

The new president of the Ontario Medical Association, Dr. Toth is a family physician from Aylmer, a small town in southwestern Ontario, who has practiced for nearly 30 years. He is also the medical director at a long-term care facility and a member of the Medical Advisory Committee at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital.

"As a family physician in a small town I have the privilege of treating a range of ages and a range of ailments – my youngest patients are newborns and my oldest are over 100 years old," Dr. Toth said. "Being able to represent my colleagues as president of the Ontario Medical Association is also a great privilege."

Dr. Toth is the 134^th President of the OMA; he takes over from Dr. Ved Tandan, a surgeon from Hamilton. The OMA is not only the association representing the province's physicians, but it also has a long history of development and promotion of health services.

Dr. Toth is excited about the year ahead. In addition to his many OMA-focused initiatives, he would like to see the government come back to the table to work with doctors to continue to move the health care system forward in Ontario.

"We all recognize these are challenging times, but great work can – and has – been achieved when everyone in the health care system is working together to help improve patient care," said Dr. Toth. "I believe there are additional opportunities for transformation and I know Ontario's doctors are ready to do their part."  

Despite the challenges he faces, Dr. Toth is looking forward to engaging with all physicians during his one-year term – in particular with medical students, residents, and female physicians.

SOURCE Ontario Medical Association

Image with caption: "Dr. Mike Toth, President, Ontario Medical Association (CNW Group/Ontario Medical Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150503_C5271_PHOTO_EN_16104.jpg

Danielle Milley, Senior Advisor Media Relations, 416-599-2580 or 1-800-268-7215 ext. 3008 or [email protected]; OMA Media Relations, 416-340-2862 or toll-free at 1-800-268-7215 ext. 2862, [email protected]