By Catherine O’Hara, REVIEW STAFF

A longtime Waterdown physician, who has also held respected positions within Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington, is the Golden Horseshoe Doctor of the Year.

Dr. Randy Cross has practiced family medicine for nearly 30 years in Waterdown. He’s held the title of chief of the department of family medicine at JBMH and was the president of the medical and chief of staff at the Burlington hospital.

The positions he has held combined with the outstanding service he has provided his patients have set Dr. Cross apart from other physicians who were nominated.

“Dr. Cross is kind of a league of his own,” said Maryann Vasic, executive director of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine.

“He’s always putting everybody in front of himself. He wants to do the best for people.

“He’s just a wonderful, wonderful man.”

Dr. Cross was presented with the Golden Horseshoe Doctor of the Year award at the Ontario Medical Association District 4 Annual General Meeting last month. The event, held at the Royal Botanical Gardens, was attended by representatives from all areas of the district, which spans from Niagara Falls to Oakville. Nomination criteria for the special recognition, noted Vasic, centre on providing exceptional service to patients and community leadership.

For more than 25 years, the Waterdown doctor has participated in the Docs on Ice charity hockey tournament. This year, he sat on the executive committee in charge of organizing the long-standing fundraiser, which raised more than $100,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society of Hamilton and Halton.

“He was really proactive in terms of assisting for the charity work for that,” said Vasic. Describing Dr. Cross as a humble person, Vasic explained that while the doctor is not one to put the spotlight on himself, “obviously he appreciates and is honoured by the recognition.”

In a statement, Dr. Cross said, “There are so many talented and well-regarded physicians in District 4, and I am honoured to be named among them. I plan to continue practicing family medicine for many more years. I love the people and I love my career.”

The award, said Vasic, is “well deserved.”