Dr. Cheetham is one of North America's top physicians in the field of developmental and intellectual disabilities. He  has over thirty years of "hands on" clinical experience in treating patients with developmental disabilities across the lifespan.

A Canadian, he is Board Certified in Family Medicine and experienced in treating the psychiatric components of the dually diagnosed. In addition to his full-time activities of seeing patients (and consulting with families, support and allied health professionals), he is also a faculty member at a prestigious medical school, teaching young medical students the challenges and rewards of caring for our population. He has been actively involved with the critical work involved in preparing communities in the medical transitioning of patients from the pediatric to the adult arena and onto geriatric care. He has authored one of the seminal studies of "caring for patients with developmental disabilities in the community" as well as helping families to actively participate in "family centered care."

He is a proponent of the "biopsychosocial" model of medicine, which incorporates every aspect of the individual's life beyond the examination table. He truly understands the role of healthcare in the stream of life and how it impacts on education, training, working, living, aging and sustaining relationships. His research interests involve and complement his stated first obligation to his patients, and that is "seeing them, treating them, knowing them."

Dr. Cheetham is an active and honored member of the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed, the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He was the first physician member of the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association, which recently bestowed on him the title of "Physician of the Year."

Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of his background is the fact that he was first introduced to the field of developmental disabilities as a live-in house parent (along with his late wife) in a group home. That is an invaluable foundation that not many physicians cannot lay claim.

Orange Grove has helped formulate the best pathways for the collaborative community care of patients with developmental disabilities. It is a tribute to that international reputation that has enabled us to attract a candidate of this caliber. We are looking forward to making a formal announcement of his decision to join the Orange Grove Center family, and are excited to continue and expand our commitment to comprehensive healthcare for patients with special needs and their families.