Renowned Ottawa family physician and sports medicine specialist Dr. Howard Cohen is also a well-known marathon runner, having completed every single edition of the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend marathon since its inception in 1975. When not caring for his patients or training for his next race, you’ll find him at KBI volunteering as one of the Shul’s official page turners. Over coffee with Communications & Marketing Committee member Suzan Zilahi, he reflected on community, faith, and the values that have guided his life and career.
1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Ottawa, just a short walk from Agudath Israel, where my family attended regularly. It’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
2. When did shul life become important to you?
After my mother passed away, things changed for me. I began attending more regularly and became more engaged. The rituals and community offered comfort and perspective during a difficult time. It feels like family.
3. Was there a defining moment that inspired you to become a physician?
Yes. Early in high school, I heard Governor General Georges Philias Vanier speak about service, family, and what it means to be a Canadian. It was a real wake-up call. He encouraged each of us to think about how we could serve our communities, whether through medicine, engineering, forestry, or anything else. That message stayed with me, and honestly, it still feels incredibly relevant today.
I was also deeply influenced by my uncle, Dr. Goodman Cohen, a distinguished cardiologist and Chief of Cardiology at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Despite his accomplishments, he was incredibly humble, kind and compassionate, known simply by his patients as a ‘good man’. Watching him made medicine feel less like a career and more like a calling.
4. Has your faith shaped your life and career?
Definitely. As a physician, I’ve faced, and continue to face, very challenging ethical decisions. My faith gives me a framework to approach those moments thoughtfully. It helps me to slow down, reflect, and draw on something deeper than clinical logic alone.
After my mother passed away, Rabbi Braun encouraged me to spend even just 15 minutes a day learning from the Torah. That practice opened my eyes. I discovered centuries of Jewish ethical thought that resonate today and continue to guide me.
5. Does spirituality play a role in how you make decisions?
Absolutely. Medicine isn’t just science, it’s values, empathy, and responsibility. Sometimes you need guidance beyond yourself to navigate difficult situations with clarity and humanity. I’ve learned not to hesitate to seek spiritual or ethical counsel when facing tough decisions.
6. If you could have dinner with any Jewish figure, past or present, who would it be and why?
Our former cantor, Cantor Aptowitzer. He had a huge impact on me. He taught me Hebrew, tradition, and humility. He was brilliant but incredibly grounded. The Cantor prepared me for my Bar Mitzvah. Our two daughters, Tamara and Jessica, were also tutored by Cantor Aptowitzer for their Bat Mitzvahs. Learning with him was one of the most formative experiences of my life.
7. How do you relax?
Nature. Hiking, walking, being outdoors, that’s my therapy. When you’re outside, you notice the small things like animal tracks, birds, trees, and it puts everything into perspective. It’s very grounding.
8. Do you ever get mixed up with the other Howard Cohen?
Yes. I tell folks: “Send Howard the bills and I’ll take the receipts!”
9. Did you run the Marathon this year?
Yes, last weekend was my 52nd year. As long as I’m able, I’ll keep going. Learn more about Dr. Howard Cohen’s marathon running in the Ottawa Citizen article from May 24, 2024.