Currently president of the Canadian Medical Association, Dr. Margot Burnell is a medical oncologist who has served the patients of New Brunswick for over three decades. She is an associate professor of medicine at Dalhousie University and was the head of the department of oncology for eight years. She also previously served as chief of staff for Zone 2 of the Horizon Health Network in the province.

She has participated in and chaired multiple committees associated with the health authority, the Saint John and New Brunswick medical societies, CMA, pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review and Hospice Greater Saint John. She has participated in many clinical trials. She is co-chair of the supportive care committee for the Canadian Cancer Trials Group.

Dr. Burnell has dedicated herself to caring for patients, making a difference in their lives, helping them on an individual basis, participating in system administration and now advancing solutions to patient and physician concerns at decision-making tables.

She feels being a physician is a calling, is eager to share her passion for medicine with coworkers and learners and believes in giving back to her community to make it a stronger, healthier one.