My journey to health systems leadership has been far from a straight path. In truth, I have often done it the wrong way first. I have made mistakes, and I have learned-sometimes the hard way-that leadership is not about always being right but about listening, adapting, and serving others with humility. Those missteps have been some of my greatest teachers, shaping me into the person and leader I strive to be today.
At my core, I am a husband and a father. My family has been both my anchor and my compass,
reminding me that the work I do in medicine and leadership is ultimately about people, about
relationships, and about care. The lessons I’ve learned at home-patience, humility, forgiveness, and
love-are the same lessons I try to bring into my professional life.
My career began in the deeply human space of adult and pediatric palliative medicine. Walking alongside patients and families during some of life’s most difficult moments has profoundly shaped how I see health care. Palliative medicine teaches you that every decision, every word, and every silence matters. It is in those moments of vulnerability that the true meaning of care and compassion becomes clear.
Recently, I have also had the great privilege of being elected President of the Medical Council of Canada. To me, this is both humbling and inspiring. The Council plays a vital role in shaping the standards of medical practice across our country, ensuring that physicians are prepared to serve patients with competence, compassion, and integrity. To be entrusted with the governance of such an institution is not only an honour but also a reminder of the responsibility I hold to support the profession while protecting the public. It is an opportunity to bring my lived experiences-as a physician, a leader, a husband, and a father—into a national conversation about what health care should be in Canada.
This space is where I share thoughts, projects, and ideas around healthcare leadership, innovation, and the real-world challenges (and opportunities!) we face in transforming how care is delivered.
Whether you’re here out of curiosity, collaboration, or just browsing – thanks for visiting. I hope you find something here that sparks a thought or inspires a conversation. Feel free to reach out or connect – I’d love to hear from you!
Dr. Gordon Giddings is an Assistant Registrar at the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, where he oversees the Professional Conduct Department. A graduate of the University of Alabama School of Medicine, he completed residency training in Family Medicine at Western University and pursued fellowships in Palliative Care at Bruyère Continuing Care (Ottawa) and subspecialty Kidney Palliative Care at the University of Alberta.
In 2013, Dr. Giddings was named the Canadian Medical Association Journal’s 10th Physician Editorial Fellow and later served as Associate Editor in the Research and Practice departments. He contributed as Clinical Content Editor for Pallium Canada’s Palliative Pocketbook and LEAP (Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative and End-of-Life Care) Workshops.
His career has also included international leadership as Medical Director of Hospice Waikato and Rainbow Place-New Zealand’s only pediatric hospice-from 2014 to 2016. In addition to his work in palliative care, Dr. Giddings is one of only a handful of Board-Certified Behavioural Sleep Medicine physicians in Canada, with special expertise in Shiftwork Disorder populations, specifically Alberta’s RCMP and police officers, physicians and nurses.
