About Dr. James McInnis

Dr. James (Jim) McInnis, Lt. (N), M.D., C.C.F.P., is trained in family and emergency medicine. He has ten years of experience specializing in emergency and trauma medicine and 16 years as a family physician. In addition to being a physician, he is a full-time father of four children, an athlete, a lieutenant (N) in the Canadian Armed Forces, a Navy reservist, and a volunteer.

The Early Years

Born and raised in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and the oldest of four children, he is a true sportsman. He grew up playing hockey, baseball, tennis, and golf. He played hockey and baseball at a competitive level. He played Junior A hockey, and the Boston Red Sox evaluated the young McInnis for a position as a baseball pitcher—his love of sports extended to adulthood as he added weightlifting to his repertoire.

His dynamism and strong work ethic were formed at a very early age. From age ten, he had a paper route and began his first full-time job at McDonald’s at 13.

Education, Professional Licensure and Certifications

His education is extensive. He completed his B.B.A. in 1992 at Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. After graduating, he took some time off and traveled throughout the United States.

1997, he received a BSc (Honors) in Biochemistry and Genetics from Dalhousie University. In 2002, he received his Epidemiology Certification from Dalhousie University after entering Dalhousie Medical School in 2000, graduating in 2004 with a Doctor of Medicine degree. He completed his internship at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where he did his Post Graduate Studies in Emergency and Family Medicine.

In addition to his impressive education, he has received several licenses and certifications over the years: the MCC (Licensure of Medical Council of Canada), Commissioned Rank – Sub-Lieutenant – Royal Canadian Navy Service number – D66 403 377, C.C.F.P. (Canadian College of Family Physicians), and Promotion to Lieutenant (N) at the Royal Canadian Navy.

Honors and Awards

Over the years, Dr. James McInnis has been recognized and honored for his accomplishments. He received the Prince Edward Island Top Medical Student Scholarship, the Burke Certificate for Promise in Family Medicine, Research Assist on the Effects of Prolia in Osteoporosis, Special Citation for Meritorious Service in the Canadian Armed Forces, C.M.E. Research Presentation – “Physicians in the Military,” and Honorable Discharge from active service in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Academic Experience

He has held various academic positions throughout his career, including Associate Professor with the Department of Biological Laboratory Studies at Dalhousie University, Senior Post Graduate Clinical Instructor at McMaster University, and Senior Professor and Evaluator at the Canadian Forces School of Physician Assistants at C.F.B. Borden, Ontario.

Serving His Country

He served as a Lieutenant (N) in the Canadian Armed Forces for nine years and remains an active Class B reservist for the Royal Canadian Navy. During his nine-year tenure, he served as a medical officer for soldiers at home and on deployment, was a deployed member of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (D.A.R.T.), part of Operation PLATEAU, a consultant in bio-terrorism medicine, a special consultant and liaison for Canadian Forces and the Canadian Medical Association, and a clinical instructor and liaison officer for the Canadian Armed Forces Physician Assistant Program.

Clinical Experience and Medical Practice

He worked as an Emergency Physician at McMaster University Hospital for four years until joining Wasaga/Angus Community Health Center – Family Practice, where he was Director of Care.

In 2010, as a Class B reservist, he joined the Medical Division of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Volunteer Work

Volunteering has always been part of his D.N.A. While in medical school, he volunteered at the Barrington Street Shelter in Halifax, performing medical exams and working with people experiencing homelessness. He continued volunteering for homeless shelters in Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario and volunteered at the S.T.D. clinic attached to the shelter.

He helped women and men exit the sex trade and ensure they were educated and safe. He has also tutored children in group homes.

A Family Man, A Man of Faith

Dr. James McInnis has three daughters (ages 24, 19, and 9) and one son (age 22). He loves spending time with them, enjoying outdoor activities, and his passion for sports.

He is involved in every aspect of his children’s lives and has always supported their extracurricular activities as a volunteer parent. He served as a minor hockey coach in the Wasaga Beach and Barrie Minor Hockey Associations for 10-plus years, a parent helper for Simcoe Figure Skating for more than five years, and a parent volunteer at his daughter’s dance troop for over five years. 

He is a practicing Christian and attends Mapleview Christian Church weekly, as do his children.