Community Council Spotlight: Michael Judd

October 11, 2024.

The Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Ontario Health Team (FLA OHT) is pleased to introduce Michael Judd, a dynamic new member of our Community Council. Michael brings decades of experience across multiple sectors, including sales, brand development, construction, and entrepreneurship, having founded his first business in grade four. He has since leveraged his skills to teach at-risk youth about entrepreneurship, business development, and leadership.

Michael has a deep passion for and commitment to community wellbeing, as evidenced by his extensive advocacy work in areas such as accessibility, mental and physical health, affordable housing, and food security. It’s this passion that motivated Michael to get involved with the FLA OHT. “That’s a big part of it,” Michael explained. “I’m involved with a lot of groups that provide support to disadvantaged communities - communities that don't necessarily get the medical and mental health support they need - so I try to create change, lift up spirits and build community.”

For Michael, being part of the FLA OHT Community Council is a natural extension of his advocacy work. He believes in the power of community voices in health-care system planning, highlighting the gap between the current system and the needs of the people it serves. Michael’s insights, perspectives, and lived/living experiences will help inform the work of the Community Council and the broader FLA OHT, particularly as we continue working to promote equitable health and wellness, specifically by reducing barriers for vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Reflecting on his journey into health-care advocacy, Michael shared how his personal experiences navigating the medical system have fuelled his passion for change. “A lot of it comes from my own challenges, dealing with medical issues. I had to advocate for a hip resurfacing procedure that wasn’t available in Canada at the time,” he explained. His persistence led to the procedure becoming an option for younger patients, allowing them to retain more bone structure and avoid traditional hip replacements too early in life. “That’s one of my shining moments,” Michael said. “Now younger people can have a procedure that doesn’t break any bridges if, later in life, it needs to be revised.”

Michael’s advocacy work also extends to his involvement with Resolve Counselling Services Canada, an FLA OHT partner. He sees significant overlap between the work of Resolve and the broader health-care goals of the FLA OHT, particularly in terms of promoting a holistic approach to health and wellness. “Our brain and body are one system,” he shared. “We need to make sure our approach to health care reflects that.” 

In addition to his health-care advocacy, Michael’s passion for helping equity-deserving  communities is evident in his leadership of the Kingston Disability Network. The group supports individuals facing accessibility challenges, and Michael has played a key role in ensuring that local businesses and City of Kingston services remain compliant with Ontario’s accessibility standards.

In his new role on the Community Council, Michael hopes to help the FLA OHT address some of the most pressing challenges facing the region’s health-care system. As he puts it, “I’ll poke the bear where needed so I can help make changes that will benefit everyone.”