About Us - PSI Foundation

About PSI Foundation

Established in 1970 by the physicians of Ontario, PSI Foundation is a physician-centred non-profit foundation with the mission to improve the health of Ontarians.

Once a prepaid medical plan used by thousands prior to the introduction of the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP), we have evolved into a foundation that provides up to $5 million annually to support medical research.

Today, thanks to strong financial management, PSI has granted over $130 million to nurture and foster significant advancements for physicians, patients, and medical research.

Growth of Endowment

Accumulatively, Since 1970

1970 16M
2020 109M+

Grants and Programs

Approved in 2023

Total
$4,367,000

Our History

Physicians’ Services Incorporated began in November 1947 as the largest prepaid medical care plan in Canada. It was sponsored by the Ontario Medical Association and upheld by 8,000+ practicing physicians in Ontario. Physicians voted to allow PSI to prorate their medical fees to cover administrative expenses and provide the reserves required by law.

In September 1969, P.S.I. ceased operation when the Ontario Government implemented what is now the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). With remaining $16 million in the plan’s reserve, PSI’s Board of Directors and participating physicians created the PSI Foundation to support charitable activities within the health field.

Full video transcript

Physician Services Incorporated is founded by Ontario doctors in an effort to provide comprehensive medical care that the public can afford.

Physician Services Incorporated ceases operation as OHIP is initiated.

Physicians of Ontario create PSI Foundation.

PSI Foundation donates 75k to CNIB, creating the first 'Eye Van' in Canada.

PSI Foundation provides over $500K for medical education in Ontario for the first time.

PSI Foundation's 10th anniversary. To celebrate, PSI provides $68,000 grant to CNIB Eye Van.

Mary C. McEwan becomes the 1st female president of PSI Foundation.

Dr. Mary C. McEwan - First female PSI president

PSI Foundation launches new funding stream - Resident Prizes for Excellence in Research.

PSI launches new funding stream - Arthur Bond Fellowship for Innovative Health Systems Research.

PSI provides $600K in special funding for large, multi-team study on the impact of walk-in clinics in Ontario.

PSI Foundation donates $100K to Sick Kids Foundation in memory of former PSI President, Dr. Harry Bain. This donation is used to launch the first 1st annual Harry Bain Lecture.

PSI Foundation responds to global financial crisis by increased grants from 4.4M - 6M. This increase filled a much-needed gap in medical funding.

PSI Foundation launches new funding stream - Graham Farquharson Knowledge Translation Fellowship. Mr. Graham Farquharson joined the PSI Foundation’s Board of Directors in 1996 and became the Chair of the Finance Committee in 2007. He retired from PSI in 2013, and it is our distinct pleasure to name this prestigious fellowship after him for his unparalleled service to PSI.

Mr. Graham Farquharson was a Chair of Finance Committee from 2007 to 2013.

PSI Foundation launches Visiting Scholar Program at Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). Dr. Donald Redelmeier was the first PSI-supported clinical scholar to visit NOSM.

Dr. Donald Redelmeier is the first PSI Visiting Scholar at NOSM.

PSI endowment tops $100M.

PSI Foundation launches new funding stream - Mental Health Research.

PSI Foundation launches new funding stream - Research Trainee Award.

PSI Foundation expands Visiting Scholar program to Western University to examine Competency-based Medical Education. Dr. Stanley Hamstra was the first PSI-supported scholar to visit Western University.

Dr. Steven Hamstra is the first PSI Visiting Scholar at Western University.

PSI Foundation updates areas of non-support policy and began accepting mental health research.

PSI Foundation's 50th anniversary. To celebrate, PSI launches two awards: Mental Health Knowledge Translation Fellowship and Mid-Career Clinical Research Award.

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Source of Funds

The physicians of Ontario donated the original $16 million from the PSI reserve fund to create PSI Foundation.

While we do not actively solicit funds, we are a charitable organization that accepts donations, bequests, and provides receipts for tax purposes. Reach out to learn more about supporting our work.
Contact us

Board of Directors & Management

Ms. Giselle BodkinCo-Chair of PSI Finance Committee Partner | BDO Canada LLP
Mr. David MiddletonChair of PSI Finance Committee Corporate Director, Wealth Management
Dr. Deborah J. CookAcademic Chair, Critical CareMcMaster University
Dr. John DroverProfessor of Critical Care and SurgeryQueen's University, Kingston Health Sciences Centre
Dr. Ishrat HusainSenior Scientist, Scientific Head, Professor of PsychiatryCAMH, University of Toronto
Dr. Andrea GershonPSI Vice-ChairRespirologist & Scientist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Dr. William D. HemensPSI Past-ChairFamily Practice: ER and OB at Bracebridge, ON
Dr. Naana JumahPSI ChairObstetrician Gynaecologist, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
Dr. C. Robin WalkerPSI Past-ChairProfessor of Paediatrics, Western University
Mr. Samuel MooreChief Executive OfficerPSI Foundation