The Medical Council of Canada announces the appointment of Dr. Viren Naik as new Chief Executive Officer

Ottawa – The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Viren Naik as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2024.

Dr. Naik, who currently serves as the Chief Assessment Officer (CAO) at the MCC and holds an esteemed academic appointment of Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, will succeed Dr. Maureen Topps, who is retiring from the organization.

In his role as CAO, he spearheads the strategy and delivery of the national licentiate requirements, while also exploring advancements in assessments to meet Canada’s evolving health care needs.

“Dr. Naik’s exceptional leadership in medical education, his extensive experience and his dedication to enhancing health care practices make him the perfect fit for this role,” expressed Dr. Bruce Wright, MCC President. “The Council and I are confident that under his guidance, the MCC will continue to thrive and uphold the highest standards of medical assessment for the benefit of all in Canada.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Naik has made significant contributions to medical education and leadership. He played a pivotal role in designing and establishing health care simulation centers at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto as well as The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa. In addition to his Master of Education degree from the University of Toronto and his Fellowship in Education from The Wilson Centre for Research in Education, he successfully completed an Executive MBA at the Telfer School of Management to further develop his leadership competencies. Dr. Naik’s commitment to medical education led him to serve as the Vice President, Education for The Ottawa Hospital, one of Canada’s busiest academic health sciences centers. He has also been a driving force in integrating simulation into CanMEDS for postgraduate education and continuing professional development.

It is a pivotal time for medical education and health care, and I am honoured to lead the MCC in its mission to ensure safe and high-quality medical care for all in Canada. I look forward to working with the MCC team and our partners to drive innovation and excellence in medical assessment, ultimately contributing to the betterment of health care access and outcomes in our country.”

— Dr. Viren Naik

Previously, Dr. Naik served as the Director of Assessment at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, where he oversaw the credentialing and examinations for all specialties, ensuring the highest standards of medical practice in the country. He also played a crucial role as a Senior Medical Advisor during the establishment of the new School of Medicine at Toronto Metropolitan University.

With over 25 years of experience in academic medicine, Dr. Naik is an internationally recognized medical education leader. He boasts an impressive portfolio of over 140 publications and grants, and 250 invited national and international presentations, showcasing his dedication to advancing medical education and practice.

Dr. Naik is equally dedicated to his family. He resides in Ottawa with his wife, two teenagers and his dog, Mando.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Viren Naik and welcoming him to this new role.

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For media inquiries or more information:
Medical Council of Canada
[email protected]

About the Medical Council of Canada (MCC):
The MCC strives to achieve the highest level of medical care for Canadians through excellence in the evaluation of physicians. It assesses close to 10,000 medical students and graduates every year through examinations across Canada and internationally. The MCC also verifies and stores physician credentials, maintains the Canadian Medical Register, and supports research and development to remain at the forefront of physician assessment.