TORONTO, May 2 /CNW/ - Today, Dr. Mark MacLeod takes over as the 129th President of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and brings with him a commitment to work closely with government to find efficiencies in health care and strengthen the delivery of services.

In the coming year, Dr. MacLeod, an orthopaedic surgeon who practices at Victoria Hospital in London, will focus on a number of initiatives including:

    -   Working with government and other health care partners to identify

        cost-effective ways to provide and maintain quality health care to

        patients;

    -   Expanding access to collaborative care and continuing the expansion

        of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) across the province;

    -   Championing programs that promote the health and safety of Ontarians;

        and

    -   Strengthening relationships between physicians and hospital

        executives.

"Recognizing the current fiscal challenges in the province, the OMA has been working closely with government to help achieve savings in health care that will not negatively impact on patient care," said Dr. MacLeod. "We are committed to continuing this work in partnership with government in order to protect the gains we've made in improving access to quality health care services."

MacLeod spoke to improvements over the last number of years in improving access for patients. Since 2004 more than 900,000 patients have found a doctor, who did not have one. In addition, more tests and surgeries are being performed, access to after hours care has grown by 40%, and physicians have been embracing the rollout of Electronic Medical Records across the province. Dr. MacLeod committed to continue to advance and promote initiatives that protect the health and safety of patients and encourage healthier lifestyles, including continuing efforts to curb the childhood obesity trend, by advocating for the inclusion of calorie labelling on menu boards in fast food restaurants and school cafeterias.

"We are proud of what has been accomplished over the past decade and we will continue to develop innovative strategies to provide high quality care to our patients and to improve the overall patient experience in the health care system," said Dr. MacLeod.

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For further information: please contact: Leianne Musselman, (647) 638-6800; OMA Media Relations at (416) 340-2862; or toll-free at 1-800-268-7215 ext. 2862