Joy Hataley
If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t read many election statements.After clinic, between call shifts, paperwork, and family life, there simply isn’t much time. So, I’ll keep this practical.
I’m Joy Hataley, a family physician from Kingston, Ontario, and I’m running for the Board of the College of Family Physicians of Canada because the future of family medicine will be defined by the decisions we make today.
For more than 30 years I’ve had the privilege of practising comprehensive family medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and family physician anesthesia in Manitoba, Ontario, and the Northwest Territories. I’ve worked in large centres, small hospitals, and remote communities. Every one of those experiences has reinforced the same belief: family medicine is the backbone of Canadian health care.
Over the past decade, my work has expanded beyond the bedside. As Chair of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) Regional Network, I’ve listened to physicians from every corner of Ontario. Through the OMA Physician Services Committee and the Ontario Health Team Committee, I’ve worked directly with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health. As an independent Board Director for a Canadian biotechnology company, I’ve learned what good governance looks like and how organizations can either thrive—or slowly lose touch with the people they exist to serve.
If elected, I’ll focus on four priorities:
Protect our identity. Family physicians are the only medical specialists trained to provide comprehensive, continuous, relationship-based primary care throughout every stage of life. We need to do a much better job of helping Canadians—and governments—understand what that really means.
Strengthen our voice. The College should be one of the most connected professional organizations in Canada. We shouldn’t only hear from members every few years through surveys. We should have meaningful, ongoing conversations that allow the College to respond quickly to the realities of frontline practice. If independent physician communities can connect thousands of doctors across the country every day, I am thinking of FB Group Physician Financial Independence, for instance, surely our own College can do the same.
Secure our future. Modern family medicine is broader than ever before. Enhanced-skills physicians in anesthesia, emergency medicine, obstetrics, palliative care, women’s health, and many other focused areas are essential to health care across Canada. Workforce planning must recognize not just numbers, but training, expertise, and the full scope of what family physicians contribute.
Lead with good governance. Our members entrust the College with their voice and their dues. Every initiative should deliver meaningful value, every decision should be viewed through a sustainability lens, and every program should be able to answer one simple question: How does this help family physicians and the patients we serve?
I’ve spent my career caring for patients, building organizations, working with governments, and advocating for physicians. I would be honoured to bring that experience to the CFPC Board—and, more importantly, to work for you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Joy
Dr. Hataley’s CV.
