Dr. Edward Hirvi was recognized for his care of patients and more than 15 years of teaching and helping to train future family physicians<\/p>\n
The Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) is recognizing 13 family physicians, residents, and medical students for their outstanding contributions to family medicine and for demonstrating exceptional care for patients and communities across Ontario, including a doctor from Sault Ste. Marie.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 2026 OCFP Awards celebrate excellence across the profession, from future family physicians demonstrating early leadership to experienced physicians making a lasting difference through patient care, advocacy, teaching, mentorship, innovation, and health system leadership, a news release said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Edward Hirvi has practised comprehensive family medicine with Group Health Centre since 2008 and serves as Medical Director of F.J. Davey Home. He is also an Associate Professor and Section Chair of Family Medicine at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University (NOSM U), and contributes to several organizations supporting health care and medical education in the Sault Ste. Marie community.<\/p>\n
“Receiving the Family Physician of the Year Award for my region is a true honour and one I accept with deep gratitude. I feel fortunate to care for my patients and be part of the medical training journey of so many learners. I share this recognition with the patients, families, colleagues, and community who make this work so meaningful,” Dr. Hirvi said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year\u2019s recipients reflect the extraordinary work happening in family medicine across Ontario,\u201d said Dr. Eric Wong, President of the Ontario College of Family Physicians.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir innovation, leadership, and commitment to patients are a source of inspiration for all of us as family physicians and demonstrate the important role family medicine plays in communities and across our health system.\u201d<\/p>\n
2026 OCFP Award Recipients<\/p>\n
Medical Student of the Year<\/p>\n
\n\tAlessia Pereira, McMaster University, Hamilton
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Family Medicine Resident of the Year, Ontario\u2019s Rising Star<\/p>\n
\n\tDr. Nkechi Ikeaba, University of Toronto, Toronto
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Awards of Excellence<\/p>\n
\n\tDr. Jennifer Bondy, Windsor
\n\tDr. Loredana Di Santo, Vaughan
\n\tDr. Rajesh Girdhari, Toronto
\n\tDr. Ojistoh Horn, Akwesasne
\n\tDr. Samantha Lavitt, Kemptville
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Regional Family Physicians of the Year<\/p>\n
\n\tNorth East Region: Dr. Edward Hirvi, Sault Ste. Marie
\n\tNorth West Region: Dr. Eliseo Orrantia, Marathon
\n\tEast Region: Dr. James Fullerton, Carleton Place
\n\tCentral Region: Dr. Shane Teper, Brampton
\n\tToronto Region: Dr. Karen Chu, Toronto
\n\tWest Region: Dr. Sonny Cejic, London
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\u201cFamily physicians across Ontario are continually finding ways to make care better for their patients and communities,\u201d said Deepy Sur, CEO of the Ontario College of Family Physicians.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt a time of unprecedented investment in primary care, the leadership and experience of family physicians will be essential to shaping what comes next. These recipients demonstrate the commitment, innovation, and leadership that will help strengthen family medicine for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recipients were celebrated at the OCFP\u2019s Evening of Excellence in late September in Toronto, bringing together family physicians and health system leaders from across Ontario.<\/p>\n