Faculty member recognized as regional family physician of the year

Farhan Asrar, assistant clinical professor (adjunct) in the Department of Family Medicine, has been awarded the Regional Family Physician of the Year Award from the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP). This award is presented to family physicians who have contributed to their community in the field of family medicine through passionate involvement, dedication, and leadership.

Asrar is an accomplished physician, researcher, and teacher, practicing as a comprehensive family physician serving a diverse patient population in Mississauga.  His interests include general family medicine, public health, space medicine, environmental health, medical education, research and quality improvement. He is also trained in public health and emphasizes the social determinants of health and preventive care in his teaching and clinical practice.

This past summer, Asrar served as co-chair of the Department of Human Performance in Space in the International Space University’s space studies program. This renowned international program is taught around the world to educate professionals and learners from over 30 countries about various aspects of space. Asrar was responsible for organizing educational activities, workshops, lectures, and events related to space medicine, space physiology and related areas.

Asrar has also championed educating and mentoring physicians and the public on environmental health. He worked with a national program with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and Health Canada, teaching physicians about environmental health issues across Canada. He also served as a member of the Environmental Health Committee of the OCFP and founded a provincial newsletter, educating Ontario’s family physicians on various environmental health issues.

Asrar’s colleague described him as a highly dedicated and enthusiastic teacher. “He always brings tremendous energy to his team and classes by exhibiting that learning never stops and critical thinking is key to staying passionate in a medical career,” said Mehdi Aloosh, Assistant Professor, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact.