Biography
A 23-year veteran of the Faculty and a professor in the Department of Family Medicine, Dr. Wooltorton has served in the role of Interim Vice-Dean of CPD since 2023, focusing his vision for continuing professional development on “better care through education.” Throughout his tenure in the role, he has prioritized faculty engagement, building community connections, and designing innovative and financially sustainable educational events, inspired by the talented, creative, and conscientious team in the CPD office who provide transformative education and life-long learning for thousands of conference participants each year.
Dr Wooltorton has fostered a culture of belonging, inclusivity and diversity, and the CPD team has included patient-partners in the design and delivery of multiple conferences.
He has championed the arts and humanities in health care, bringing a national “Creating Space” conference to Ottawa in April 2026 alongside the International Congress on Academic Medicine. He helped launch a new Mature Women’s Health conference in February 2026 to ensure better menopause care in our community. He promotes the theme of “you belong at uOttawa” through the spring and fall public “Mini-Medical School” lecture series, and he launched the annual “Destination: Family Medicine!” which saw dozens of uOttawa faculty members inspire more than 230 high school students to consider careers in family medicine.
Dr. Wooltorton’s main scholarly interests involve continuing professional development, developing faculty, innovations in teaching strategies, burnout prevention and promotion of physician engagement, wellness, and interdisciplinary care. He recently helped coordinate an antiracism faculty development e-module, as well as a mentorship program for faculty and learners.
Clinically, at The Ottawa Hospital Academic Family Health Team Dr. Wooltorton brings a passion for teaching, particularly palliative care and procedures, pediatrics and complex care; and he advocates for primary care, 2SLGBTQ+ health, women's health, and the care of patients with intellectual disabilities. He has received the AFMC John Ruedy Award for Innovation in Medical Education as well as the Physician of the Year Award from the Ontario College of Family Physicians. Dr. Wooltorton earned his BSc at McGill University, followed by his MD and a MSc at Queen’s University. He completed a family medicine residency and Master of Education in Health Professions Education at the University of Ottawa.