Meet our President

Dr. Rachel Kassner

Prince Edward Island native, Dr. Rachel Kassner was raised in Souris the daughter of a busy country doctor and former MSPEI President, 1963, Dr. Edward Kassner. Following in her father’s shoes, often literally, as she and two brothers would sometimes accompany their father on house calls, she chose family medicine as a career and recently leadership within the medical profession as President of the Medical Society of PEI 2010-11.

Medicine, although always considered, was not an immediate choice. After completing a degree in science at McGill University, Rachel spent a year abroad discovering communal living at a kibbutz followed by two years of study in physiotherapy at Dalhousie University. It was only then that she sought the broader field of medicine becoming Dr. Rachel Kassner in 1982 graduating from Dalhousie University, where she also served as President of Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society for two years.

After completing a rotating internship at Jewish General in Montreal for one year, Dr. Kassner returned to PEI to start a general practice in Charlottetown in 1983. In 1986, Dr. Kassner left the Island and would spend 16 years practicing family medicine in Toronto before being recruited by Dr. Douglas Meek to fill a vacancy at the Polyclinic in Charlottetown where she continues her family practice today. In 2005, Dr. Kassner accepted the role of Head of the Department of Family Practice at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and continues to serve in this capacity. She also spends one week each summer at Camp Kadimah, Nova Scotia, as camp doctor.

Of personal note, Dr. Kassner loves travel. Before extensive journeying abroad, she followed sage advice from her father and drove across Canada first. By the end of the cross-Canada trek, she was ‘hooked,’ and ever since, viable opportunities are rarely passed to discover new and interesting cultures and countries - occasionally in combination with providing medical service.

She attributes her enjoyment and participation in many forms of exercise to an ability to thrive professionally and personally. Golfing, skiing, swimming, tennis and a love of dance are a few favourite pastimes. Dr. Kassner also expresses a love of baking and cooking as well as hand crafts and even costume design.

Dr. Kassner lives in Stratford with husband, Joel Palter, son Kass and ‘Kiki’ their pet dog.