No Images? Click here Family MattersYour updates from the Department of Family Medicine, University of AlbertaJuly & August 2019 Message From the ChairColleagues, At last writing I indulged in my favourite metaphor, about life being a river, and how we’re coming into a stretch of rapids. We’re into the rapids now, and with the recent release of the MacKinnon panel report, the current is picking up. I think we’re pointed in the right direction, to judge from the report. The initiatives we’ve undertaken, based on our own values and sense of social accountability, position us well for the future. Not that we won’t get wet; there’s a reason whitewater paddlers wear helmets! But we’re doing it right and I think we’ll be a significant part of moving Alberta toward the better health care system it needs. In this issue you’ll see some of what we’re doing that is helping create that future. Read up and stay tuned for more. You may have noticed a change in my wardrobe, in this issue’s picture. For those who follow The Amazing Race, you already know: Dr. James Makokis and his husband Anthony Johnson, aka Team Ahkameyimok, are this year’s winners! Dr. Makokis is one of our clinical faculty. Team Ahkameyimok is a fundraising effort for a healing centre on the Kehewin Cree First Nation - one of those many things that will move Alberta toward the health care system it needs. - Dr. Lee Green, Chair, Department of Family Medicine Dr. Green supporting Team Ahkameyimok, Dr. James Makokis and Anthony Johnson, winners of the 2019 Amazing Race Canada. Retirement Announcement Retirement Q & A with Joanne Lafrance In August of 2017, department faculty and staff bid a fond farewell to Residency Program Assistant Joanne Lafrance. Joanne ably supported the department through many academic days, resident learning events, CaRMS events, staff changes and new classes of residents during her time with us. Joanne was the go-to for information for many of us and was always willing to share a smile and have a good laugh with her colleagues during those times when things get really crazy around here. We spoke to Joanne during her last few days with us to reflect on her time with the department. How long were you with the Department of Family Medicine? What will be your favourite memory of your time here? What will you miss? What won't you miss? What changes have you seen in the department? Any parting words of wisdom for staff, faculty and residents? Thank you to Joanne for her many contributions, and best wishes to her in her new adventures! Congratulations Kendra Houston Recognized at Misericordia Hospital Staff Banquet At the Misericordia Community Hospital Medical Staff Association Banquet held on May 10th 2019, an award was presented to Dr. Kendra Houston. This Excellence Award was presented in recognition of accomplishments for exceeding expectations and for being chosen as Trainee of the Year by the Misericordia Community Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine. Sharon Liu Receives CFPC Scholarship Congratulations to Sharon Liu, a fourth-year medical student, who has been awarded a CFPC Medical Student Scholarship. Sharon had a project published on the cover of the June 2019 Canadian Family Physician, a study for which she was first author using national CPCSSN data to show that primary care manages warfarin as well as it is managed in clinical trials. Staff Welcomes Claire Paterson Welcome to Claire, who has joined the department as Residency Program Assistant. Claire graduated from the U of A with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in August 2018 and worked with Interim Staffing Solutions for the past year. She worked in a variety of departments including U of A International, HSLAS, and CTL, before coming to family medicine. Belinda Lelievre Welcome to Belinda, who previously worked for 6 ½ years in the Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine. Her new role with the Department of Family Medicine is as Resident Program Assistant/Family Medicine Residency Program. Deepika Jadhav Welcome to Deepika Jadhav, who has joined family medicine as to provide support to the Undergraduate Program. Prior to becoming part of the Family Medicine team, Deepika worked with the Division of Geriatrics in the Department of Medicine here at the U of A, and brings administrative, research and clinical experience. She has a degree in commerce and a post graduate diploma in social development and organizational management, and brings excellent organizational skills to her position. Deepika is originally from India and moved to Canada with her husband in 2012. She previously lived in Toronto but finds no better place than Edmonton. Notable News 2020 Grand Rounds Dates Announced Mark you calendars: the dates for the 2020 Family Medicine Grand Rounds sessions have now been set. Grand Rounds provide a forum for the discussion and selection of topics and speakers based on the need for primary care education as well as timely and relevant discussion of issues and challenges in the primary care community. Family Medicine Grand Rounds are open to community preceptors, clinical preceptors, faculty, other FoMD departments, allied health providers and university researchers. Dates for remaining 2019 and 2020 sessions are: September 19, 2019 Locations and topics will be provided as soon as possible. For more information about Family Medicine Grand Rounds, please visit the Grand Rounds Webpage. Life as a Family Doctor Lillian Au spoke about life as a family doctor in this video filmed by Surgery 101. NAAFP Call for Proposals In 2012 the Northern Alberta Academic Family Medicine Fund, an endowment held by the University of Alberta and managed by employees of the Department of Family Medicine, was established. The interest generated from this endowment is intended to support initiatives promoting the advancement of family medicine. A fund management committee was established to review Requests for Proposals from Family Medicine staff, residents, students and trainees. Now on our twelfth RFP, we are very pleased with the response to this initiative. To date, the committee has funded over 74 proposals. The Fund Management Committee is pleased to announce the opportunity to submit to the thirteenth round of project proposals. These projects are supported by the interest received from the endowment funds invested by NAAFP. As per the Terms of Reference of the fund, activities of the following nature are eligible: Deadline for submission is midnight on Friday, September 27, 2019 Please contact danica.erickson@ualberta.ca for an application form. Faculty & Staff Development Family Medicine in the News Recent Publications Please visit the Recent Research Publications page on the Department of Family Medicine website for a comprehensive list of research publications. Professional Development Opportunities The 3rd Annual David C. Reid Conference: Exercise as Medicine Date: Saturday, September 28, 2019 Visit the conference webpage for additional details. Click here to register for both events. Joint Injection Workshop The Joint Injection Workshop has been certified for up to 5 Mainpro+ credits. PEIP is Now Open for Registration! Practical Evidence for Informed Practice (PEIP) highlights focused reviews on topical issues that combine evidence, experience, and patient values. The conference is applicable to a variety of disciplines including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, and other allied health care providers. PS: Don’t forget the pre-conference workshop "Excellent or Excrement - a Guide to Sorting out Research Claims". This 3-hour highly interactive and fun learning session will provide participants with: * Better understanding of EBM definitions and terminology Can’t get to Edmonton? No problem: PEIP will be available by live Webcast. For more information and to register, visit the PEIP conference website. Please contact nikita.mcewan@acfp.ca with question regarding the conference or for assistance with registration. University UpdatesThis year’s Green & Gold Day is Friday, September 13, 2019 Thursday, Sept. 19: Friday, Sept. 20 Saturday, Sept. 21 Sunday, Sept. 22 Safety Fest is Back September 17 - 20 Visit uab.ca/safetyfest for more information. |