Biography

BACKGROUND

-  born, raised and educated in Ridgetown, Ontario where I graduated from the Ridgetown District High School in 1970

-  received Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1973 and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Toronto in

    1977

-  I joined my father in family practice in 1978 and continue to practice

PROFESSIONAL

-  family physician in Ridgetown since 1978

-  member of the active staff of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance

-  Coroner in the southwestern region of the Province of Ontario since 1994

-  past president of the medical staff of St. Joseph's Hospital, Chatham and the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance

-  past chief of family practice at St. Joseph's Hospital

 - past Board member of St. Joseph's Hospital and of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance

-  past president of the Kent County Medical Society and past chairman of District 1 of the Ontario Medical Association

KIWANIS

-  member of the Ridgetown District High School Key Club from grade 10 to grade 13 serving as secretary and vice-president

-  joined the Kiwanis Club of Ridgetown in October 1978

-  have served as committee chairs, bulletin editor, Board member, secretary and twice Distinguished President (1988-89 and 1997-98)

-  Lt. Governor Division 4 2000-2001 (Distinguished) and 2001-2002 - class president of 2001-2002 Board

-  awarded Mel Osborne Fellow, George F. Hixson Fellow and Tablet of Honour by Kiwanis Club of Ridgetown

-  awarded Diamond Mel Osborne by Division 4and Diamond Level 2 by the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada

-  awarded the Godfrey G. Dyer Award by the Kiwanis Foundation of Jamaica

-  co-chair of Ridgetown IDD committee which raised $184,000 (seventh in the world in total contributions, 4th in the world in per capita    

    contributions)

-  Division 4 chair of IDD which raised $344,000 (5th in the world in total contributions and 3rd in the world in per capita contributions)

-  past chair of the Kiwanis Foundation of Ridgetown

-  member of Division 3, 4 and 5W Children's Hospital Campaign committee

-  Certified Kiwanis Trainer

-  Chair of Long Range Planning committee for 2007-2008

COMMUNITY

-  recipient of Queens Golden Jubilee Medal - nominated by the Ridgetown community

-  inducted into Ridgetown District High School Hall of Excellence

-  awarded the Rotary International Service Award for Professional Excellence

-  member of the Board of Trustees for the Foundation of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and co-chair of the Foundation's current campaign

    to raise $3.5 million for the purchase of an MRI for the community of Chatham-Kent

PERSONAL

-  married to Debbie, an accountant and member of the Kiwanis Club of Ridgetown.

-  Son, Captain Tim Button of the Royal Canadian Regiment currently undergoing deployment training for his second tour of duty in

      Afghanistan

-  Daughter, Claire employeed in the private sector in health education