MEET
AFHTO TEAMS

Formed in 2006, the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario is a network, resource hub, and advocate for team-based primary care across the province.

DISCOVER
AFHTO TEAMS

Formed in 2006, the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario is a network, resource hub, and advocate for team-based primary care across the province.

Your Partner in Primary Care

Patients Attached
0 Million

(+ 400,000 unattached served)

Approximately 25% of Ontarians are already attached to one of our teams.

TEAMS
0

Our province-wide footprint enables us to deploy solutions rapidly and communicate real-time local conditions.

THE TEAM-BASED

MODEL

We represent the members across the full team: 2,700+ physicians, 450+ NPs, 500+nurses, and 1,300+ independent healthcare professionals.

AFHTO has the network and expertise to rapidly deploy primary care solutions across the province via its members, ensuring Ontario meets its goal to attach 2 million patients by 2029.

Current Team Statistics

25%

While 25% of Ontarians are attached to Family Health Teams (FHTs), only 16% of Ontarian family physicians work in FHTs, reflecting the outsized role FHTs play in driving attachment.

AFHTO supports a variety of primary care team models, including:

181

Family Health Teams

5

Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics

1

Community Health Centres

1

Indigenous Primary Health Care Organization

2

Other Models of Primary Care

More than half of AFHTO primary care teams operate with a mixed board governance model.

AFHTO MEMBERS BY GOVERNANCE MODEL

Many teams have academic status, serving as essential community-based teaching clinics for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

TEAMS ARE HERE.

They’re working.

They’re scalable.

And the system already depends on them.

Find a Primary Care Team

Patients and system partners looking to connect with a team can use AFHTO’s interactive team finder — a searchable directory of primary care teams across Ontario.

For those without a family physician or nurse practitioner, the provincial Health Care Connect program can help link people to a primary care provider and team in their community.

Emerging Leaders Across Primary Care Teams

Each year, AFHTO puts out a call for nominations for its Bright Lights Awards. Individuals and teams are nominated by their peers, and winners are announced and celebrated at our conference each fall.

Check out AFHTO members who are rising stars in primary care, actively shaping the future of team-based care. Emerging leaders are early- to mid-career professionals (5–10 years) from either clinical or operational backgrounds who demonstrate initiative, innovation, and collaborative leadership. These individuals are driving meaningful change and already show the promise of future system leadership. They lead not by title, but through action, vision, and the ability to inspire those around them to drive change too.

Elizabeth Smith

Elizabeth Smith

Advancing nurse practitioner leadership

Jodi Colwill

Jodi Colwill

Driving integrated and equitable primary care

Subo Awan

Subo Awan

Transforming teams through equity and quality

Cyril Turley

Cyril Turley

Pioneering expanded nursing practice

Bathilde Gautier

Bathilde Gautier

Strengthening primary care through quality and access

Denis Tsang

Denis Tsang

Leading digital transformation across the system

Dr. Shawn Minor

Dr. Shawn Minor

Stabilizing rural primary care systems

Chris Cassolato

Chris Cassolato

Building connected and community driven care

Ale Heddon

Ale Heddon

Advancing nursing leadership and practice

THE HEART OF AFHTO TEAMS

Across AFHTO teams, there are many individuals whose presence is essential but often behind the scenes—they embody the spirit of team-based care through compassion, consistency, and quiet leadership. These team members lift others up, help their teams thrive, and contribute to a positive workplace culture. They’re the glue that holds the team together—mentors, supporters, and steady hands who make excellence possible by enabling others to succeed. 

Amanda Gallion-Ferron

Amanda Gallion-Ferron

Delivering compassionate and responsive care

Chris LeBouthillier

Chris LeBouthillier

Thoughtful leadership and mentorship

Ellen Ibey

Ellen Ibey

Leading resilient primary care in rural communities

Tara Peel

Tara Peel

Expanding access through compassionate leadership

Julie MacVoy

Julie MacVoy

Delivering care grounded in trust and empathy

Erika North

Erika North

Impactful leader supporting growth and comprehensive care

Norma Connolly 

Norma Connolly

Strengthening care through education and mentorship

Frank Ruberto

Frank Ruberto

A catalyst of team growth

AFHTO Teams of the Year

Primary care teams across AFHTO’s membership exemplify exceptional interprofessional collaboration, patient-centred care, and innovative quality improvement initiatives. These teams are a beacon of inspiration, showcasing remarkable outcomes, fostering an empowering culture, and sharing impactful practices that elevate primary care. Work is always performed by a cohesive team dedicated to transforming care delivery in their professional roles. 

Woodbridge Medical Centre Family Health Team

Setting the standard for inclusive and digital primary care

Norfolk Family Health Team

Delivering coordinated care rooted in community needs

Barrie and Community Family Health Team

Bringing coordinated care directly to children and families

South East Toronto Family Health Team

Redefining collaborative and equitable primary care