Dr. Gary Ernest
Rural family physician, Liverpool, Nova Scotia. 44 years in practice. 4 decades of physician leadership.
Healthier physicians + Healthier Canadians + A sustainable health system.
Since 1982, I've practised rural family medicine in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, whether it was in the clinic, in the emergency department, in the operating room, in the delivery room, or on a house call in my patient's living room.
Rural family medicine has been my life's work, and leadership has been my way of giving back to the profession. Serving at the hospital, zone, provincial and national levels, and more recently researching physician leadership and burnout for my doctorate, has shaped how I see the future of our profession and our health care system.
I've been married to my best friend for 46 years. I'm a proud father of three, grandfather of two, and pet father of two. Sports and a lifelong passion for physical fitness bring me joy (and stress management!). I have been an avid runner and I have a love for skiing, canoeing, kayaking and high-intensity strength & conditioning. I deeply cherish time with my family.
Proven leadership
As President of Doctors Nova Scotia (2019–2020)
- Advanced the relationship between Doctors Nova Scotia and the provincial government by developing an excellent, trusting relationship with the premier
- Helped close stalled physician payment negotiations
- Negotiated financial support for physicians whose earnings collapsed early in the pandemic
- Helped develop the blended capitation payment model for family physicians
- Personally called several hundred physicians to hear their concerns, something no president had done before
Doctorate, 2026
Burnout in Canadian Physician Leaders: A Qualitative Analytic Framework of Stressors, Supports, and Resilience. Presented nationally and internationally.
Plus 35+ leadership roles over four decades, including three terms on CMA General Council and two as Chief of Staff at Queens General Hospital.
See everythingMy priorities
We can't build a sustainable health system on an exhausted workforce. If elected, this is where I'd focus:
- Physician well-being as a system responsibility. Addressing the root causes of burnout and sharing responsibility for healthier, sustainable workloads.
- Investing in physician leaders. Communication, conflict management and relationship-building: the skills complex systems demand.
- A healthier medical culture. Safe, respectful, accountable and inclusive, for physicians and learners alike.
- Building trust through collaboration. Physicians, patients, other health professionals and governments working together on practical, evidence-informed solutions.
The CMA's Impact 2040 vision calls for "a vibrant profession and a healthy population." It would be my true pleasure and privilege to push that work forward.
Let's talk
I'd welcome hearing what matters most to you, whether that's a question, a concern or an idea for our profession.