About 23 years ago I was in a canoe on a Muskoka lake with a young family doctor discussing some of the alternative treatments I was undergoing for my Crohn’s disease. He listened attentively and although not convinced that what I was doing was “evidence-based”, he was  supportive and encouraging. Our families shared a wonderful vacation together and we’ve been friends ever since.

On November 4, The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) installed my fellow canoer as their new president who comes with a particularly important mission and an opportunity that patients need to be aware of. Here’s some of his official bio: Dr. Sandy Buchman practiced family medicine for 22 years. He is currently Education Lead and a Family Physician Practicing in Palliative Care at the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care in Toronto and also serves as the Primary Care Lead for the Toronto Regional Cancer Program at Cancer Care Ontario. Dr. Buchman teaches family medicine at the University of Toronto and McMaster University, and supervises residents at the Mount Sinai Hospital Academic Family Health Team. What his official bio doesn’t include is all the humanitarian work he’s done in remote places in Africa, South America, and the streets [...] continue the story