Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull, MD; Chief of Staff, Ottawa Hospital; President, Canadian Medical Association
An essay by Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull

Dr. Turnbull is known for his significant contributions to community health, medical education, and improving the Canadian health care system through various leadership roles. Dr. Turnbull has served as president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, president of the Medical Council of Canada, and Chair of the Department of Medicine at University of Ottawa, a position he held until from 2001 to 2008, when he became chief of staff at The Ottawa Hospital.

As a founder and current medical director of Ottawa’s Inner City Health Project, Dr. Turnbull provides clinical care to Ottawa’s homeless and vulnerable populations. In addition to his contributions to community health at home, he has been involved in education and health services initiatives in Bangladesh, Africa and the Balkans. Dr. Turnbull received the Order of Canada in 2007 for his humanitarian efforts and commitment to providing medical services.

Dr. Turnbull received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto in 1974 and his medical degree from Queen’s University in 1978. He completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Western Ontario in 1982, and a master’s degree in education at the same university in 1990. Following his internal medical residency, Dr. Turnbull began his career at the University of Western Ontario, where he combined clinical practice, education and research, before being recruited to the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Turnbull continues to practice internal medicine both at The Ottawa Hospital and at several shelters associated with Ottawa Inner City Health.