Meet Osler’s 2023 Service Value Award winner: Dr. Michael Mohareb

When Osler cardiologist Dr. Michael Mohareb was going through medical school, he said he wasn’t really thinking of cardiology as a pathway. It was the people who knew him best, who saw how he interacted with patients and families during his cardiology rotation, that guided him toward this specialization.

And he hasn’t looked back since.

“One of the things I love about cardiology is its breadth of practice … the opportunity to care for patients across all spectrums of health. People who are well but need reassurance. People who are unwell but get better and are so appreciative,” he said, adding that he also considers it an “honour and a privilege” to be a part of end-of-life care for those situations in which recovery is, unfortunately, no longer an option.

Dr. Mohareb joined the cardiology team at Osler in 2015 and is highly respected by his patients and colleagues alike. So much so, last year he won Osler’s inaugural Service Value Award. The peer-nominated award goes to a colleague who exemplifies humility and gratitude, and treats people with honesty and integrity.

Dr. Mohareb is known for going above and beyond in everything he does, always taking the time to speak with worried patients and their loved ones, carefully outlining treatment options and risks, and actively engaging with colleagues to teach and collaborate on complex cases.

When asked where he finds his motivation, Dr. Mohareb said his commitment to service is grounded in his faith, in an intrinsic desire to help others, and in his deep respect for the incredible group of health care professionals he works alongside at Osler.

He said he also tries to put himself in the shoes of every patient who walks through our doors. “My family lives in Brampton. My children were born at our hospital. I want to give my patients the same care and attention I want for my own family. They're no different than my wife and kids.”

With a busy clinic based at Etobicoke General Hospital, Dr. Mohareb covers calls for both Etobicoke General and Brampton Civic Hospital and is heavily involved with Osler’s cardiac device implantation program.

The growth of the cardiac device implantation program, which offers implants and the monitoring of implantable electrical devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators, is a particular pride point for Dr. Mohareb.

“There are procedures that we were not doing eight years ago, including, most recently, implantable cardioverter defibrillator surgery, which we are now doing on a routine basis, bringing life-saving care close to home,” he said, adding that “watching the nurses in the cardiac program embrace and be a part of this growth has also been really motivating.”

As for receiving the Service Value Award, he said he was surprised, flattered – and a little embarrassed – but very grateful for the recognition and to be surrounded by a team that lives Osler’s Values of Service, Excellence, Respect, Compassion, Collaboration and Innovation every day.