Fifty years ago a pioneering group of 12 family physicians successfully completed the first ever Certification Examination in Family Medicine and earned the Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP) special designation. They were introduced to recognize the rigorous assessment required for two key priorities: to support the broad scope of skills and knowledge required of family physicians in their central role caring for patients, and to help advance family medicine in Canada.

Among the class members is Gerald Stewart, MD, CCFP, FCFP, LM, from Kelowna, BC. Dr Stewart graduated from the UBC Medical School and cared for the people of Kelowna and mentored new generations of family physicians for nearly 60 years. He retired from medicine in 2018. Dr Stewart is also a past president of Doctors of BC, having served in 1984/1985.

For the complete list of the class of 1969, visit www.cfpc.ca/meet-some-of-the-members-of-the-class-of-1969 [9].