Where were you and how did you survive the ice storm that hit eastern Canada just before Christmas 2024?  Millions of people in Ontario and Quebec were suddenly left in the cold and dark – with no idea when the power would go back on. Nature always has the final word, but here are some simple steps you can take now to prepare for next year’s winter blast.

We’ve all had “If I knew then what I know now” moments, often related to an opportunity not taken. Unintended consequences have dogged many otherwise successful leaders because of following the road that diverged. This article highlights the fallout of some historically poor decisions and suggests three critical steps that may help avoid them.

Millions of people spread around the world are suffering what the spin doctors call ‘food insecurity.” I call it hunger. In 2024, Toronto food banks experienced a record-breaking 3.49 million client visits, according to the Daily Bread Food Bank. This is a significant increase of nearly one million more visits compared with 2023. Why is this happening in a rich country like Canada?

“Ontario’s healthcare system is in crisis.” Long wait times for surgery, even longer waits in the emergency room, no family doctors, whole segments of the population unable to afford or sometimes even access needed care – the list keeps growing. The complaining seems endless, but what I don’t see yet is a detailed, well-planned strategy to remedy this crisis. Perhaps we should look at how other countries have managed this problem.

Social media currently reaches roughly five billion people (there are about eight billion people on the planet). Like it or not, we live in a fully wired, round-the-clock and almost inescapable electronic universe.

What are the risks and benefits of this transformation for clinicians?

Survival rests on competition — for partners, for jobs, for money and ultimately for success, however defined. Some readers may disagree, but I believe competition is healthy, and most of the time comes with benefits that outweigh the risks.

Let’s keep the reality of charitable giving in perspective. Tax returns show the median annual donation lies in the range of $300 to $360 — which at the high end is about one dollar a day. Less than the price of one cup of coffee. For those of you who prefer to give time, find a situation where you can offer your skills, experience and talent free of charge. It will enrich your life.