News
The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sarita Verma to the role of chief medical officer (CMO) (interim), effective April 1, 2026, for a nine-month term.
The new executive role reflects the MCC’s commitment to strengthening physician leadership and advancing strategic priorities at a time of significant change in Canada’s health care sector. Dr. Verma, who has served as executive advisor to the CEO at the MCC since April 2025, will continue to draw on her expertise in medical education, licensure innovation, and health human resources. In her new capacity, Dr. Verma will further support the MCC’s work modernizing assessments and strengthening collaboration across Canada’s medical and regulatory communities. She will also help expand strategic partnerships and contribute to leadership development within the organization and across the broader health system.
“As we work to ensure that physicians have the competencies needed to deliver safe, accessible care for Canadians, it only makes sense to have a chief medical officer at our executive table and representing the MCC at key national discussions,” says Dr. Viren Naik, CEO of the MCC. “Dr. Verma brings an extraordinary depth of experience across medical education, regulation, and health system leadership. Her strategic insight and national perspective will strengthen our work and help position the MCC for the future.”
A family physician and lawyer, Dr. Verma is widely recognized as an international leader in medical education and academic health leadership. She previously served as president, vice-chancellor, and dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) University, where she helped advance distributed medical education and innovative approaches to training physicians for rural and underserved communities. Her extensive leadership experience also includes serving as vice-president of Education at the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, as well as holding senior academic leadership roles at the University of Toronto and Queen’s University.