Michael Robert Chen

Michael Robert Chen, 48, passed away on November 30, 2023, from complications of COVID-19. Mike was a beloved family physician who served the Toronto community for 20 years, known for his compassionate care and dedication to underserved populations. Born to immigrant parents from Hong Kong, he was the first in his family to attend university, graduating top of his class from University of Toronto Medical School. Dr. Chen built his practice in a diverse, working-class neighborhood, often seeing patients after hours and reducing fees for those in need. During the pandemic, he worked tirelessly, contracting the virus while treating patients in a long-term care facility outbreak. Colleagues described him as 'the doctor every patient dreams of having brilliant, kind, and utterly devoted.' Mike is survived by his wife Jennifer, their three children, and his parents. His practice continues under the care of his partners, who have pledged to maintain his commitment to accessible healthcare. As he often told medical students: 'Medicine is a science, but healing is an art that requires listening with your heart.' His legacy lives on in the thousands of patients whose lives he touched and improved.