Dr. Chris Anjema has been appointed chief of surgery at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
Anjema, who has provided ophthalmological services in Chatham-Kent since 2004 – with the exception of a four-month suspension in 2021 by the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons (OCPS) – is also the co-medical director of CKHA’s surgical program.
“CKHA is home to a strong surgical program that offers a wide range of services. We have a collaborative team of supportive staff who are dedicated to excellence in delivering the highest standard of care and outstanding patient outcomes,” Anjema said in a media release. “I look forward to providing leadership that is caring, kind, responsible and accountable to patients, as well as the organization we serve, and the community that depends on CKHA’s surgical services.”
Anjema has also been the CKHA head of ophthalmology since 2024. In fact, he held that position prior to that, but resigned in 2019. This occurred in the wake of a Toronto Star report that Anjema was the fourth-highest biller among Ontario physicians from 2017-28.
Through his work at CKHA and the Anjema Eye Institute, CKHA officials said in a media release he is committed to fostering safety and quality in surgical care.
“Dr. Anjema brings a deep commitment to the Chatham-Kent community into this role,” said Dr. Zeke Milkovic, chief of staff. “His desire for excellence in patient care, and his commitment to continuous improvement, will drive us forward as a surgical program and as a hospital.”
As mentioned, Anjema had his licence to practise medicine suspended for four months in 2021. OCPS’s disciplinary committee held a hearing in March of 2021.
Based on an agreed statement of facts, and a statement of uncontested facts and plea, the disciplinary committee found that Anjema “committed an act of professional misconduct in that he failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession in his care of patients, and engaged in an act or omission relevant to the practice of medicine that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional,” hearing information on the OCPS website stated.
Adam Topp, CKHA’s president and CEO, said the board and the selection committee were well aware of Anjema’s past situation.
“He’s taken responsibility and accountability,” Topp said. “I was certainly aware what he has gone through with the CPSO.”
Milkovic also defended the decision to hire Anjema for the role of chief of surgery.
“CKHA’s process for recruitment for the next chief of surgery was thorough and robust, and all candidates were well vetted through a diverse selection committee that included physicians, hospital leaders, front-line staff, and members of the community,” he said. “We were fortunate to have several excellent applicants. Dr. Anjema’s appointment was enthusiastically supported by the selection committee, the Medical Advisory Committee and the CKHA board.”
Milkovic added Anjema’s emerged from the suspension an improved person.
“Dr. Anjema has shown accountability, has noted that he has learned and grown through his process with the CPSO five years ago. He consistently demonstrates a commitment to quality and accountability, and has the respect of colleagues.”
Topp said he looks forward to Anjema leading the surgical team.
“We’re quite excited for him to take on the role. He’s been very involved in surgical quality while I’ve been here and is well respected by his peers,” Topp said. “He’s been a member of the community for such a long time; he’s been here since 2004. It’s nice to have our physicians who are also community members.”
