The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada welcomes Dr. William Fitzgerald, CM, FRCSC, who succeeds Dr. Louise Samson, FRCPC, as the College's 40th president. Dr. Fitzgerald, who was invested into the Order of Canada earlier this year, is the surgeon-in-chief at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador.

"I am greatly honoured to be elected president of the Royal College," says Dr. Fitzgerald. "I bring the perspective of a rural surgeon whose professional circumstances have meant that I am no stranger to creative problem-solving and resourcefulness. While I do not pretend to have all the answers, I am prepared to ask the tough questions."

Under Dr. Fitzgerald's presidency, the Royal College will operationalize its new vision for the future. The College has an ambitious plan called Focus 2020 that builds on its existing strengths and a renewed commitment to remain a leader in specialty medicine by:

• Adapting and strengthening specialty medicine to meet society's health needs
• Building the capacity effectiveness and accountability of the College
• Supporting members throughout their education, profession and retirement
• Advancing specialty medical education and life-long learning

As such, Dr. Fitzgerald will see the Royal College working closely with governments and other stakeholders to develop a strategy to address inter-provincial and international mobility and other such issues that will influence specialty human resources in this country. Just as the Royal College moves forward, Dr. Fitzgerald will also pursue promoting its history and heritage as the springboard for learning about health care in Canada - past, present and future.

"This is a crucial time in our evolving health system," he says, "and an ideal time for the Royal College, working in collaboration with other partners, to ensure Canadians have an appropriate supply of physician specialists when and where they need them."

Dr. Fitzgerald obtained his MD from the University of Toronto (U of T), worked with the International Grenfell Association in St. Anthony, and returned to U of T to complete the Gallie Surgical Training Program. He was certified in general surgery and became a Fellow of the College in 1976 and has been very involved ever since.

Throughout his career he has held many appointments including clinical professor of surgery at Memorial University of Newfoundland and several visiting professorships. Dr. Fitzgerald is a past president of the Newfoundland Surgical Society and the Canadian Association of General Surgeons. He is a member of several other professional associations including the Canadian Association of University Surgeons, the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Association.

Dr. Fitzgerald's two-year term begins on September 27, 2008.