A Markham family doctor has been named the region’s top family physician.
Dr. Aleem Hussain, named the 2024 Regional Family Physician of the Year for Central Ontario by the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP), was nominated by his peers for the distinction, which is presented annually to family physicians across Ontario who provide exemplary care to their patients and contribute to excellence in family medicine.
“It’s a privilege to be part of a patient and their family’s health journey for years, sometimes across multiple generations. The trust and connection we build are the most rewarding part of the work,” Dr. Hussain said.
Ontario Health’s Central Region spans from Mississauga to Huntsville, and from Orangeville to Markham.
In addition to patient care, Dr. Hussain is committed to educating future physicians. As a faculty member at the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine, he mentors medical students and residents, shaping the next generation of doctors.
“Family doctors are the first point of contact for patients when something is not right, providing care that they need the most,” Dr. Jobin Varughese, president of the OCFP, stated in a news release.
Along with working as a family physician in Markham, Dr. Hussain also serves as a community palliative care physician at Scarborough Health Network. His impact extends beyond his practice into his leadership roles in multiple charities and non-profits, where he works on food bank programs, free medical clinics for the uninsured, humanitarian efforts and health education.
Community service, he said, has made him a better clinician by giving him a deeper understanding of the challenges his community faces.
With the growing demand for family physicians — 2.5 million Ontarians are without one, according to the OCFP — Dr. Hussain acknowledges the pressures on the health-care system. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and patient advocacy to address frustrations and barriers in care.
Dr. Hussain attributes much of his ability to practise medicine the way he does to the support of his family, colleagues, and staff. He also expresses deep respect for health-care workers in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan and Lebanon, who risk their lives to provide care in dire conditions.
“As physicians, the communities we provide care for trust us to have their best interests in mind and to use whatever platforms we can to advocate for them,” he said.
He also credits his mentor, Dr. Basel Bari, as someone who inspires him to centre receptiveness to patient needs while striving for clinical excellence, values he hopes to pay forward to his own trainees.
As his colleague, Dr. Yasir Khan, who nominated him for the award, remarked in a news release, “Dr. Hussain’s impact extends far beyond his practice. His leadership and advocacy have touched the lives of countless patients, students, and communities.”
Scarlett Liu is a federally funded Local Journalism Initiative reporter at Markham Economist & Sun
