Stay connected with the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada's newsletter.

 

       February 2021

*** R&R REGISTRATION IS OPEN  ***

Register today and be sure to share this information with your colleagues.

SRPC Issues Statement Regarding Rollout of  COVID-19 Vaccination to Rural Canada

After hearing concerns from many SRPC members around inequities in vaccine access in rural versus urban settings, SRPC released the following statement January 25th.  We encourage all SRPC members to share this with their local MPP/MLA and vaccine task-force contacts..

Read the Statement Here

Are YOU Interested in Being a Mentor for SRPC's Mentorship Program?

The SRPC mentorship program is a pilot program that aims to connect medical students to rural physicians and residents from across the country to allow career exploration, guidance, and increased understanding of the scope of rural practice.

As a mentor with the SRPC, medical students will connect with you through the SRPC office. Once you are connected, there will be flexibility in how you set up your mentor-mentee relationships, which can be tailored on an individual basis. This may include answering a few quick questions, setting up a longitudinal mentorship plan, or organizing shadowing experiences (public health guidelines permitting).

We Want Your Opinion Regarding Our Process For Selecting SRPC Council Members

As a member of the SRPC, would you prefer to vote for SRPC Council members or are you happy with our current process?

SRPC bylaws state the following process for selecting executive, standing committee, and provincial and territory representatives:

The Nominations & Awards Committee will circulate a call to all members in October of each year for positions that are up for renewal. The Nominations & Awards Committee will review the submissions and choose an appropriate candidate. A list of chosen candidates will be presented to Council and final approval will be granted at the AGM.


Let Us Know!

Indigenous Education Series For SRPC Members

We encourage everyone to watch SRPC's Indigenous Health Committee's first webinar, 'Moving Towards Cultural Safety, Reconciliation, and Anit-Racism' presented by Dr. Darlene Kitty, Dr. Nadin Gilroy and Dr. Baijayanta Mukhopadhyay.

SRPC's Indigenous Health Committee is in the process of developing a series of virtual, educational events to bring awareness and provide learning opportunities for all SRPC members about Indigenous health education. 

Additional dates will be announced soon.

Live webinars are free and available only to SRPC members.  Recordings of the webinar will be available to all.

Visit the Indigenous Health page for more information.

CCFP-EM Exam Eligibility Working Group

Numerous rural physicians were impacted by the 2020 changes to the practice-eligible criteria for the CCFP(EM) examination. CAEP’s Rural, Remote and Small Urban Section along with the SRPC have been advocating on your behalf to have these issues addressed. The CFPC has acknowledged our concerns through the formation of a working group to revisit the criteria from a rural perspective. They hope to have updates by early spring, prior to the opening of applications for the fall examinations. 

Please consider filling out our short survey to help us represent you better.

*Further details to follow.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Impact Grant Program: Phase II Launched on January 28th

The Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine is launching Phase II of the COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Impact Grant Program to support innovations and initiatives that prepare family doctors to cope with long-term challenges related to the pandemic. Registration for applicants is mandatory. Opens January 28th and closes February 16th.

Learn More

SRPC's Featured Member - Dr. Vesta Michelle Warren


Vesta Michelle Warren  MD, CCFP, FCFP, is a rural general specialist practicing in Sundre, Alberta where she has been for over 21 years.  She loves the variety of rural practice and incorporates SIM training, bedside ultrasound, and patient centered care in her day to day life.

Working in her own medical clinic, the Moose & Squirrel, she also has practiced in acute care, ER, and low risk obstetrics in the community hospital.  She has been an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary, taking medical students and residents since she began.  Her advice to new graduates is to “go rural, and use all of those skills you have spent years perfecting!  Your first 5 years in practice will be the steepest learning curve yet, embrace it!”.  The SRPC has proven to be an amazing resource to her over the years.

The Northern Ontario Rural and Medicine (NORM) Committee of the Ontario Medical Student Association (OMSA) would like us to share an opportunity with Ontario Physicians. Their goal is to increase rural practice awareness for Ontario med students.

The SRPC has welcomed 2 new members to our team.  Say hello to Hope and Faith!

Wondering what is the best way to get in touch with the fish?

Drop them a line!  (Haha!!!)

MD Financial Management - The physician’s Retirement Plan Webinar

A physician’s career is unlike most others and the financial planning process never stops - and this includes preparing for retirement. In case you missed the presentation on January 27th, they ahve offered a recording.  Listen to MD Financial Management as they explore the retirement planning issues that reflect the reality of your careers, and the insights gathered from 50 years of serving physicians and their families. (Presented live January 27th.)

View the Recorded Presentation

Upcoming Events

      Need a locum or looking to fill a position?  Let us help you!
      Place an ad in the CJRM or on our Jobs & Ads
      board today.

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      We welcome your suggestions.  If you see something we should know about please email us. info@srpc.ca

      The SRPC’s Mission - Championing rural generalist medical care through education, collaboration, advocacy and research.

      The SRPC's Vision - Excellent health care close to home for all rural Canadians.

      info@srpc.ca    877-276-1949   P.O. Box 893 - 383 Rte 148   Shawville QC  J0X 2Y0