Introducing Rob Boulay, MD, CCFP

Driven by basic curiosity and a passion for learning, Dr Rob Boulay chose to pursue a career in family medicine, for which he is now a dedicated advocate. On October 15, 2010, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) proudly welcomed Dr Boulay as its 57th President.

Born in Bathurst, NB, and raised in Belledune, a small village on New Brunswick’s north shore, Rob completed his undergraduate studies at Dalhousie University, earning a Bachelor of Science in biology. After graduating from Dalhousie Medical School in 1989, Rob completed a rotating internship and immediately began working at the Hôtel Dieu Hospital in Chatham, NB. In July 1990 he opened his own family practice in Miramichi, NB, where his scope of care has included obstetrics, inpatient care, and emergency department coverage.

In 1995 Rob became a member of the CFPC. From 2004 to 2006 he served a 2-year term as President of the New Brunswick College of Family Physicians. He was a member of the CFPC National Board from 2002 to 2006 as a representative of the New Brunswick College. Since 2007 he has been a member of the National Executive Committee and has served on numerous other committees. Among others, these include the Primary Health Care Steering Committee and a joint CFPC–Canadian Medical Association committee exploring primary care wait time benchmarks.

In 2000 Dr Boulay served as Vice President of Medical Affairs for the Miramichi Regional Health Authority, where he worked with various stakeholders to address and improve the health care services in the region.

One of Rob’s greatest pleasures continues to be family medicine teaching, and he does it well! In 2004 he was the recipient of the Dalhousie University Undergraduate Preceptor of the Year Award. He has served as the Medical Education Director for the Miramichi Regional Health Authority and continues to be involved with the development of the Dalhousie Medical Education Program for New Brunswick. Of all Rob’s professional achievements to date, he maintains that nothing thrills him more than meeting young physicians whom he had the honour of teaching. Recently awarded Certification in Family Medicine, Rob’s next academic goal is to earn his Fellowship.

In 2006 Dr Boulay was named Family Physician of the Year for the Province of New Brunswick as the recipient of the Reg L. Perkin Award.

Looking ahead to his year as CFPC president, Rob is well aware of the current challenges facing family medicine and hopes to motivate family physicians to provide strong leadership in health care. He believes that the leadership provided by family physicians not only to their patients but also their communities, hospitals, and health organizations is a resource that has been underused in the past.

“I believe family doctors are the cornerstone for our patients’ health,” says Dr Boulay. “The sustainability issues facing the Canadian health care system can only be addressed through a reinvestment in primary care, with family physicians playing a strong leadership role in the process.”

Personally and professionally, Rob strongly believes that humour is a powerful tool that should be used daily. He enjoys playing and coaching soccer and has recently renewed his relationship with golf— if only to serve as a reminder that he has much left to learn in life! Rob lives in Miramichi with his wife and best friend of 22 years, Bernadette McCarthy, DDS, and his 3 children, Daniel—a freshman studying science at Dalhousie University; Emma—now in grade 11 and gaining control of the family car; and Samuel—enjoying grade 7 and playing soccer. The family has an additional member this fall with an exchange student from Colombia, Juan Jose, also a part of the household.

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