Dr. Joss Reimer Reflects on her Term as CMA President

By Claudine Gervais

When Dr. Joss Reimer stepped into the presidency of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) last year, she stepped into a role that would take her across Canada and around the globe, from rural Manitoba clinics to international health conferences. 

“The health-care system might be managed at the provincial level,” says Dr. Reimer, ​“but the challenges and solutions are remarkably consistent from coast to coast to coast.”

From shuttered rural services to long emergency room wait times, she heard the same frustrations echoed by physicians in every jurisdiction. Throughout her presidency, Dr. Reimer listened and advocated for those voices.

With little time to rest — just two vacation days and a single sick day during her one-year term — Dr. Reimer crisscrossed the country to hear directly from physicians, patients, and health advocates. What she found was both heartening and heartbreaking: a health-care system stretched thin, but buoyed by the passion and perseverance of the people within it.

“There are so many passionate people with good ideas who care about the system and want to make it better,” she says. ​“The most frustrating part is how hard it is to actually make the needed changes, even when we know what they are.”

But she wasn’t just there to listen. She took what she learned and delivered those insights straight to decision-makers — a strategy rooted in her deep belief in the power of advocacy.

Misinformation and the Crisis of Trust

One of the most urgent issues Dr. Reimer tackled was health misinformation.

The CMA’s national survey revealed that 37% of Canadians had tried medical advice found online due to poor access to trusted care, and nearly a quarter reported suffering a negative health impact as a result. Dr. Reimer experienced the fallout firsthand.

“We had a patient refuse a life-saving blood transfusion because they were worried about receiving blood from someone who was vaccinated,” she recalls. ​“They thought they were making the safest choice for their health, but they nearly died because of it.”

That moment brought home just how much trust in medical institutions has eroded. ​“Physicians should be the most trusted source of information,” she says. ​“But when there’s not enough physicians, there’s no one to help navigate the minefield of misinformation.”

Under her leadership, the CMA responded with Healthcare For Real, an online initiative delivering accurate, evidence-based information in a relatable, accessible way. The organization also began investing in independent health journalism and committed to tracking the effects of misinformation on health outcomes and clinical care annually.

Reconciliation in Action

For Dr. Reimer, the most profound and emotional moment of her presidency came in September 2024, when she delivered the CMA’s formal apology to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples for the association’s role in systemic and ongoing harms.

“There was hope in the room,” she says. ​“But an apology without action is hollow. We need to show that we are changing.”

The CMA is now in the midst of updating its Code of Ethics to emphasize anti-racism and is centering Indigenous leadership and self-determination in the Reconciliation Action Plan, to act against anti-Indigenous racism in health care and support the medical profession in making the system a safer place for First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients and providers. 

In partnership with the Canadian Journalism Foundation, CMA has also launched the Indigenous Health Journalism Fellowship, awarded to Anishnaabe journalist Lenard Monkman, to support more stories told by Indigenous voices, for Indigenous health.

“We must earn trust back,” Dr. Reimer says. ​“That starts with listening, learning, and supporting meaningful change.” 

Health Care at the Heart of the Economy

While health care is often framed as a social issue, Dr. Reimer insists it’s also an economic imperative. At a time when affordability dominates political agendas, she made the case that a healthy economy requires healthy citizens.

“Health and income are deeply tied,” she says. ​“People who are economically disadvantaged have worse health outcomes. And without accessible, high-quality health care, no economy can thrive.”

She applauds the federal government’s historic health-care investments, secured in part through CMA’s sustained advocacy during the last election. But she warns that the real challenge is just beginning: ensuring that governments follow through.

Physician Wellness and the Need for Systemic Change

Another priority during her presidency was the well-being of physicians themselves. Drawing on her own experience with burnout and mental health, Dr. Reimer has been candid about the cost of working in a strained and often unsustainable system.

“There’s a shift happening — from glorifying resilience to focusing on prevention,” she says. ​“We need to stop expecting people to be strong in spite of the system. We need to fix the system.”

That means investing in team-based care, reducing administrative burden, and modernizing how care is delivered and funded. During her term, she met with international colleagues at the 2024 International Conference on Physician Health in Halifax, connecting with a global community also facing the dual crises of provider burnout and under-resourced systems.

Climate change, like many health challenges, refuses to respect jurisdictional boundaries. Dr. Reimer brought a public health lens to her environmental advocacy. She was involved in presenting at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan,and the UN Biodiversity Conference in Colombia in collaboration with the World Health Organization.

“When wildfires forced evacuations in Manitoba, it was a stark reminder that climate-related health crises aren’t just a problem in the future — they’re already here.”

The CMA is also advocating for a connected digital health system with interoperability as a guiding principle, recognizing that effective communication is essential to a modern health-care workforce and patient care.

A Shared Responsibility

As she passes the presidency to her successor, Dr. Reimer reflects on a whirlwind year marked by urgency, inspiration, and deep conviction.

“This work has shown me that national advocacy is essential, but it’s not enough on its own,” she says. ​“Health care is a shared responsibility. Governments must act boldly. The public must stay informed. And we, as physicians, must continue to lead with empathy and evidence.”

Though her calendar will lighten, her commitment will not. As she looks to what’s next, Dr. Reimer says she is proud of the foundation built, and she is energized to keep building.

“I believe in the power of advocacy,” she says. ​“And I know I’ll continue to champion the issues that matter to physicians and patients.”

Highlights from Dr. Reimer’s Year as CMA President

• Delivered CMA’s formal apology to Indigenous Peoples
• Launched ​“Healthcare for Real” campaign to counter misinformation
• Advocated for federal accountability on health funding
• Attended international forums on climate and health
• Promoted digital health solutions
• Connected with peers at global conferences on physician wellness