OTTAWA, Feb. 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Kevin Imrie, MD, FRCPC, will become the 43rd president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada today at a ceremony held in Ottawa, Ont. A Toronto hematologist and award-winning educator, Dr. Imrie succeeds Dr. Cecil Rorabeck, OC, FRCSC, a world-recognized leader in hip and knee replacement surgery.

"Canadian health care is world-class, but we face serious challenges in the years ahead," says Dr. Imrie. "We need to not only ensure that physicians are trained and ready to meet patients' evolving health needs, but also that our health system gives specialists the support needed to deliver timely, high-quality care to keep Canadians healthy."

Dr. Imrie currently serves as the physician-in-chief and professor of medicine at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, the largest trauma centre in Canada. A clinical hematologist, Dr. Imrie is also the Vice-Chair, Education for the University of Toronto's Department of Medicine, playing a leading role in guiding the education of doctors at Canada's largest postgraduate training program.

Outside his clinical practice, Dr. Imrie's focus is largely on strengthening Canada's health system and improving how doctors are trained. He played a leading national role in the National Steering Committee on Resident Duty Hours, which provided Canada's first recommendations to improve the traditionally long work hours of doctors in training.

A dedicated physician, researcher and educator, Dr. Imrie has served in a number of leadership capacities, including Vice-President of Education with the Royal College and Director of Postgraduate Programs and Associate Dean, Admission and Evaluation in Postgraduate Medicine for the University of Toronto, as well as residency program director for both Internal Medicine and Hematology. He is a highly regarded teacher and past recipient of a wide variety of teaching awards, including the University of Toronto's prestigious Faculty of Medicine Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Medicine Education and the Department of Medicine's Teacher of the Year.

As President, Dr. Imrie looks forward to championing the implementation of "Competency by Design" the Royal College's bold revisioning of how Canadian doctors are trained and strengthening relationships with partner organizations in Canada and around the world.

"Improving Canadian health care requires collaboration and leadership, two skills that Dr. Imrie has in abundance," says Royal College CEO Andrew Padmos, MD, FRCPC. "We are proud to welcome him as the President of the Royal College."

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada is the national, not-for-profit organization that oversees the medical education of specialists in Canada by setting high standards for postgraduate medical education and continuing professional development. In collaboration with health organizations and government agencies, the Royal College also plays a role in developing sound health policy in Canada.

SOURCE Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

For further information: Tom McMillan, Senior communications specialist, Communications and External Relations, tmcmillan@royalcollege.ca, T: 613-730-8177 ext. 474, Cell: 613-218-9570