Rolf Gronas

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Candidate statement

My name is Rolf Gronas. I work as an Anesthesiologist with twenty years of experience. I am privileged to serve patients at North York General Hospital, a community teaching hospital in northern Toronto, where I bike to work, rain or shine. I ask for your support in this election.

As someone with an interest in professional standards and quality improvement initiatives, as well as work experience in different areas of the country, I am interested in joining the CMPA by running for council. By protecting our professional integrity and promoting safe medical care, the organization plays a vital role in our health care system. Through the educational initiatives of the CMPA, we become better as individual physicians and as part of our health care teams. I would like to support our profession and contribute to furthering this important work.

Here is what I bring to the role:
• For 5 years, I served as the English Chief examiner of the Royal College Anesthesiology Exam. This position allowed me to demonstrate and grow my leadership and governance skills. In addition to updating and optimizing the exam format for evolving training, I had the opportunity to manage the many demands required to pivot to virtual exams during COVID.
• I have been fortunate to work in a number of locations across Canada, including 4 years in Prince George, British Columbia, and locum work in northern Ontario, northern Alberta and Inuvik, Northwest Territories. I understand the perspective of big city group practice and have felt the pressures of being a solo practitioner.
• A chance to work overseas with Médecins Sans Frontières further broadened my perspective on the complexities involved in the delivery of safe medical care and the vital importance of strong, multidisciplinary systems. Furthermore, I felt the stresses that can lead to physician burnout and feelings of isolation.
• At North York General, I helped establish a peer support program and serve as a peer support councillor.
• Through other hospital committee involvement (Anti-Black Racism Committee) and community volunteer experience (tutor to under-privileged high school students), I have demonstrated an ability to listen well and to help implement good ideas into positive action.

I believe these experiences position me well to serve on the CMPA council. I ask for your support.