Vaughan doctor chosen top GTA family physician 'humbled' by honour
Thornhill resident Dr. Brian Klar: 'I'm proud I made the choice I did'

Yorkregion.com
Tim Kelly
Nov. 21, 2017

For Woodbridge family physician Dr. Brian Klar, it's a "proud" but "humbling" honour to be named a Greater Toronto Area 2017 Family Physician of the Year.

Just one of two doctors in the GTA to earn the honour, Klar, a Thornhill resident who has practised medicine in Woodbridge since 1988 and has 1,800 patients, calls the award "a very special honour for me."

"It's sort of a validation of what you do. At the same time, I realize a lot of my colleagues do great work as well," Klar said.

The doctor said there are a lot of rewarding things about family medicine but the key thing is his "relationships with my patients. Over the years, you get to know many people, many generations of families. You have their trust, you're able to provide care to them," he said.

He talked about his involvement in long-term care and group homes and the diversity of opportunities he's had throughout his career.

Klar has also been a mentor to young medical residents and undergrads through his association with McMaster University.

"It's enriched my career. You learn as much from them as they learn from you," he said.

Klar always knew he wanted to be a physician, but didn't know he wanted to go into family practice.

"I'm proud I made the choice to do what I did."