Southwest Middlesex Health Centre says goodbye to Dr. Ted Osmun

His is a storied career that spreads over 30 years.

Dr. Ted Osmun graduated from Western University’s medical school in 1979 and completed his one year rotating internship at Western. From there, he went to New Zealand and worked as a house officer for a year. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Anita.

His travels then brought him to England where he worked in various jobs for the National Health Service. He returned home to Canada to complete a northern fellowship in Fort Frances and Soo Saint Marie, as there were no rural residency programs at the time, and a certificate in anesthesia training at Western University.

He bounced back and forth from New Zealand to Canada, completing locums and taking a job as a GP in Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island (now known as Iqaluit). Ultimately, the artic life just isn’t for everyone, so Dr. Osmun continued his love affair with New Zealand and ventured back to complete his Diploma of Obstetrics through the University of Auckland.

After this, Dr. Osmun and his family returned to Canada for the long haul.  He joined a practice in Little Current on Manitoulin Island where he did FM, ER, obstetrics and anesthesia.  But after seven years, he wanted more for his career. He applied for a full-time teaching appointment with Western. And the rest, as they say, is history.

In 1994, Dr. Osmun started as a clinical team leader at Southwest Middlesex Health Centre (SWMHC) in Mount Brydges, and Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital (SMGH).  Over the years at SMGH, he has done obstetrics, emergency department coverage, and inpatient rounds.

He has spent 21 years at SWMHC and accomplished a tremendous amount.

  • He has directly trained and supervised over 70 residents
  • He has taught hundreds of medical students
  • He has been a research supervisor for numerous medical students, residents, and MClSc(FM) students
  • He has amassed 55 publications
  • He has held numerous leadership positions – he was the Centre Director at SWMHC, Rural-Regional Program Director, and Faculty Development Coordinator
  • He has received a PAIRO Teaching Award
  • Most recently, this year he was named the Ontario Family Physician of the Year

Dr. Osmun, we wish you all the best in “downsizing your career and upsizing your life,” because as you say, you are not retiring but simply downsizing your career.