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March 3, 1944 – November 28, 2025
With deep sadness, we share news of the passing of Dr. Jozef Krop, who died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
Born in Poland in 1944, Jozef overcame tuberculosis as a young man. This experience shaped his decision to pursue the profession of medicine. After immigrating to Canada in 1972, he completed his internship at Saskatoon City Hospital, where his work with orthomolecular psychiatrist Dr. Abram Hoffer sparked a lasting interest in nutritional and environmental medicine.
Dr. Krop established his private practice in Toronto, in 1977. He believed deeply in understanding the whole person and searching for the real sources of illness, not just managing symptoms. This approach led him into the emerging field of environmental medicine, and in 1983 he earned a Fellowship with the American Academy of Environmental Medicine.
Throughout his career, he was a leading voice in complementary and environmental medicine in Canada. His willingness to explore new approaches for conditions such as multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), and chronic Lyme disease earned him tremendous gratitude from patients. It also brought long periods of regulatory scrutiny. Beginning in 1989, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario pursued multiple investigations, none of which were prompted by patient complaints. His long legal fight resulted in what became known as the “Krop Defence,” a precedent that helped protect both practitioner and patient rights in integrative medicine. He also contributed to government-supported research, spoke before the Brundtland Commission, and helped inspire the Kwinter Bill supporting patient choice.
Despite these pressures, Dr. Krop remained devoted to teaching, advocacy, and patient care. His book, Healing the Planet: One Patient at a Time (KOS Publishing, 2002), introduced many readers to environmental medicine and reflected the heart of his life’s work.
Dr. Krop received several honours for his outstanding contributions in medicine, including a Lifetime Achievement Award for Lyme advocacy and a Dr. Rogers Prize Groundbreaker Award in 2017.
Jozef Krop loved being a doctor, and so admired his colleagues who shared his integrity and courage. He will be remembered for the many risks he took in experiencing a more complete understanding of medicine, and the genuine compassion he offered to the people who came to him for help.
