Lessons learned, CKHA’s top eye doctor is back

Dr. Christopher Anjema is back as Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s head of ophthalmology, having learned from the past and aiming to provide the highest standard of patient care, he says.

Article content

Anjema began his new three-year term in the post on April 1. He had resigned from the position in July 2019.

Article content

In March 2021, he went before the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) disciplinary committee, where he received a four-month suspension for failing to maintain the profession’s standard of practice in patient care in his private practice.

Anjema is confident the controversy is behind him and is using the CPSO process as a learning experience as he returns to his alliance position.

“Our community, as demonstrated by CKHA’s appointment, has supported my return to practice and I appreciate their feedback,” he said by email.

“Through my process with the CPSO, I learned a lot about quality control, regulation, and policy,” he added. “I will apply the resulting insights from this experience toward helping CKHA manage both the OR and the ophthalmology program.”

Article content

Anjema’s appointment was recommended by the alliance’s medical advisory committee and endorsed by its board, a hospital statement said.

“A head of service at CKHA is a member of the professional staff in good standing, appointed to assist the chief of department in the administration of their sub-specialty,” the statement added. “The head of ophthalmology reports directly to the chief of surgery, who oversees the quality of medical care and ensures compliance with rules, policies and the CKHA bylaw.”

Anjema also serves on the alliance’s credentials committee, which evaluates physician applications to work at the hospital.

Anjema said he wanted to return as head of ophthalmology to keep serving patients to the best of his ability.

Article content

“That is what drives my passion for medicine in the first place,” he said. “That’s why I practice right here in Chatham-Kent.

“Every day I work to contribute 19 years of experience in clinical decision-making, surgical skills and know-how,” Anjema said.

He has a track record of teaching and mentoring medical professionals, including nurses and students, he added, and has completed more than 21,000 cataract surgeries.

Anjema said he has settled “very well” back into the position.

“It is important for everyone to know that we have a top-quality ophthalmology program at CKHA,” he said. “We are on call for the community around the clock every day of the year.

“We provide comprehensive ophthalmology care to all patients for all aspects of ophthalmology,” he added.

[email protected]

Article content