After 41 Years as a Family Doctor, I Lost My Licence

By Dr. Sonja Kustka For more than four decades, I had the privilege of serving my community as a family physician. I graduated from the University of Toronto Medical School in 1984 and spent 41 years caring for generations of patients. I believed that trust, informed consent, and confidentiality were among the most sacred principles of medicine. I never imagined that my career would end the way it did. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I issued a mask exemption for a six-year-old child based on what I believed were legitimate medical reasons. Soon afterward, I was reported to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). What followed was a five-year regulatory process that changed the course of my life. The CPSO sought access to the medical records of patients who had received mask exemptions, PCR exemptions, vaccine exemptions, or prescriptions for ivermectin. These were never illegal to give or prescribe. I offered to provide redacted records in an effort to cooperate while protecting patient identities. That offer was declined. When I informed my patients that their records had been requested, many expressed that they did not want their confidential information disclosed. Several retained legal counsel, and the issue proceeded through the courts. My understanding of the outcome was that the CPSO was entitled to obtain those records despite the objections that had been raised. Throughout this process, many of my patients stood beside me. They organized, sought legal advice, contacted elected officials and privacy advocates, and publicly shared their concerns about medical confidentiality. Their courage and loyalty remain one of the greatest gifts of my professional life. As the years passed, I faced disciplinary proceedings and ultimately had my licence suspended in June 2025. Overnight, approximately 3,000 patients lost access to their family doctor. Confronted with demands that I believe conflicted with my ethical obligations, I made the difficult decision to close my practice and resign rather than continue under those circumstances. My resignation was not accepted, and on April 18, 2026, my medical licence was revoked. From my perspective, this experience raises profound questions about patient privacy, physician independence, and the balance between regulatory oversight and professional judgment. Others, including the CPSO, may have different interpretations of these events, and readers should consider all available perspectives. I also worry about the broader impact on health care. Ontario is facing a shortage of family physicians, and in my opinion, some experienced doctors have chosen to leave practice rather than endure lengthy investigations or regulatory proceedings. Whether one agrees with my views or not, the loss of experienced physicians affects patients and communities across the province. Despite everything, I have no regrets. I remain deeply grateful to my patients, my family, my partner, and everyone who offered encouragement and support throughout this journey. Their faith in me carried me through some of the most difficult moments of my life. If there is one message I hope Canadians take from my story, it is this: ask questions, stay informed, and engage thoughtfully in discussions about medical ethics, patient privacy, and the future of our health-care system. These issues belong to all of us, because every Canadian is, or will one day be, a patient. If there is one final thought I would leave you with, it is this: never underestimate the importance of advocating for yourself. No one has a greater stake in your health than you do. Ask questions. Seek understanding. Make informed decisions that reflect your own values and conscience. My hope is that Canadians continue to value the principles of informed consent, patient privacy, and personal autonomy, because these are not simply medical concepts—they are foundations of a trusting relationship between every patient and every physician. Thank you for reading my story and for taking the time to reflect on the values that underpin the relationship between physicians and those they serve.