OTTAWA - A gynecologist from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has been named the new president of the Ontario Medical Association.
On her first day on the job, Dr. Janice Willett was pushing the issue of keeping doctors working in Ontario.
She told the OMA's annual general meeting in Ottawa that during her 2007-2008 tenure, she will focus on this issue, as well as the need to fund health information technology.
Willett is the first female president of the association from northern Ontario.
Since May 2000, she has been chair of the OMA's OB/GYN section and has served as chair of the Ontario Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
She replaces outgoing president Dr. David Bach.
"Ontario is facing unprecedented competition for our doctors as neighbouring provinces, states and countries all deal with significant doctor shortages,'' she said.
"While the provincial government has taken steps to address the provincewide shortage, we need a comprehensive retention strategy to encourage our new and experienced physicians to stay in practice in Ontario and a plan to make the province attractive to other Canadian-trained doctors.''
