Dr. Danielle LeBlanc is a family physician at the clinic of the Notre Dame Academic Family Medicine Group (GMF-U Notre-Dame) and works primarily with vulnerable patients. She treats them with great compassion and demonstrates an extraordinary willingness to make herself available for calls, last-minute appointments, and home visits. As assistant professor at the University of Montréal—a position that she has held since 2009—she supervises residents, particularly in providing home care, and organizes their academic days.
Dr. LeBlanc’s colleagues describe her as having quiet strength, as well as being humble and inventive, and as a leader who is driven by the sheer desire to improve health care services for the well-being of her patients. She is an impeccable role model for her learners and encourages them to broaden their horizons by exploring new areas of interest. She has also inspired many young physicians to integrate home care in their own practices.
A humanist in all aspects of her personal and professional life, Dr. LeBlanc appreciates having a versatile career that allows her to be close to people. She seeks to establish a partnership with her patients, who she supports in sickness and in health. She feels immensely privileged to be able to share her passion and her talents with the next generation of family physicians.
Canada’s Family Physicians of the Year –
The Reg L. Perkin Award
Since 1972, the CFPC and the Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine have honoured family physician members who exemplify the guiding principles of family medicine. Initially, one award recipient was selected to receive the Family Physician of the Year (FPOY) Award each year. Since 2002, 10 family physicians have been recognized annually—one representing each CFPC Chapter.
Canada’s FPOYs are chosen by their peers, other health care colleagues, and community leaders for:
- Providing exceptional care to their patients
- Making meaningful contributions to the health and well-being of their communities
- Dedicating themselves as researchers and educators of future generations of family doctors
FPOY recipients must exemplify the four principles of family medicine:
- Be skilled clinicians
- Be community based
- Act as a resource to a practice population
- Recognize the central importance of the doctor-patient relationship
CFPC Chapters review nominations and select the FPOY for their respective provinces. The provincial FPOYs are honoured at their respective Annual Scientific Assemblies or Annual General Meetings. The national FPOYs are honoured at the annual CFPC Family Medicine Forum.