Biographical Info

Dr. Atkinson completed his undergraduate training at the University of Waterloo and the University of Western Ontario. Following residency training in Calgary, he practiced comprehensive family medicine for 18 years in both Northern and Southern Ontario. He has completed the Physician Management Institute courses through the Canadian Medical Association and has completed the Masters of Medical Management Program with Tulane University. In 2009 he was awarded the CPE (Certified Physician Executive) designation by the American College of Physician Executives.

Since 1996, Dr. Atkinson has been involved full time in hospital management, initially as VP Patient Programs with a multi-facility healthcare corporation in New Brunswick and then as Chief of Staff with Lakeridge Health, a large multi-site community hospital. He is a Past President of the Canadian Society of Physician Executives and a member of the American College of Physician Executives. He has also been actively involved in healthcare planning at the provincial level serving on both government committees and provincial healthcare forums.

Dr. Atkinson joined Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, in 2007 as Chief of Staff and Vice President, Medical Affairs. He was responsible for physician professional practice, resource planning and recruitment, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, laboratory services and medical education. He continued in this role until November 2013.

Currently he is working with the NSM LHIN as Physician Lead for Emergency Services, continues to have a limited hospital based clinical practice and is enjoying being able to work with several community-based organizations.