Medical oncologist is CMA's new president-elect

The next president-elect of the Canadian Medical Association is Dr. Margot Burnell. Dr. Burnell is a medical oncologist and chief of staff of the Saint John region, or Zone 2, of Horizon Health Network in New Brunswick. Members of CMA from New Brunswick nominated Dr. Burnell for the position, and her appointment will be finalized at the organization’s annual general meeting in May 2024. She will serve as president-elect until May 2025, when she will begin her one-year term as president.Dr. Burnell has practiced medicine in New Brunswick for more than 30 years. She’s an associate professor of medicine at Dalhousie University, where she headed the department of oncology for eight years. Dr. Burnell has participated in numerous clinical trials and is currently co-chair of the supportive care committee for the Canadian Cancer Trials Group. She’s also served on the pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review. “Over several decades I have had the privilege of accompanying patients and their families on their cancer journey from screening through diagnosis, active treatment, to survivorship and palliative care. Compassionate, caring, empathetic physicians will build a trusting relationship with our patients that can never be displaced and is essential to the successful patient journey,” she said in a CMA press release.“I will champion the family physician who guides and supports our patients through life’s challenges, the emergency doctor who treats life/limb threatening conditions, and the specialist who provides their skills and expertise in diagnosing and treating complex cases.”Dr. Burnell’s work with medical associations includes the CMA, the Saint John and New Brunswick medical societies and the Hospice Greater Saint John.The president of the CMA is elected by members from a different province or territory every year. It was New Brunswick’ turn to elect the new president of the CMA. Two names were on the ballot, Dr. Burnell’s and Dr. Jennifer Russell, a family physician who served as New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health from 2018 until Dec. 8, 2023. Read: Meet the candidates for CMA president for 2025-26

Medical oncologist is CMA's new president-elect

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