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Chair's Message
We are pleased to announce the CaRMS results for 2023. Our Pembroke Program matched all 3 positions, including 1 International Medical Graduate (IMG). The Winchester Program and Community fully matched as well, with 4 and 8 positions, respectively. We also matched 2 Department of National Defence positions, which is over and above our Ministry of Health quotas. We will now be planning for a second iteration in early April to fill the remaining spots for our IMG Ottawa (1), Urban Program (5), and Montfort (8). We look forward to a successful match on April 27th. Thank you to all staff, faculty and residents who participated in the dossier reviews and interviews during the CaRMS period in January.
We are still actively recruiting for two exciting new career opportunities at Bruyère and Montfort. Please view the complete job descriptions for more information and how to apply. These jobs will be posted until the positions are filled. The Ottawa Hospital is also recruiting for a Head of Department, Family Practice. Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m., Thursday, April 6th. Please view the job description for more information.
There are a number of exciting and engaging upcoming events for our members.
The DFM will be entering a team in the 2023 Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival and we want you to join us! We are looking for a mix of residents, faculty members and staff to fill the boat and represent the DFM from June 22nd to June 25th. There will be 4-5 practices leading up to the event. Register here! For questions, please contact Kendra Stapleton at kstaplet@uOttawa.ca.
Please save-the-date for the upcoming Find your Path in the DFM: Friday, June 2nd Faculty Orientation and Faculty Development Half-Day, including the following sessions: ETS1 Feedback Fundamentals, Change Management, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), and a Mentorship lunch. Registration will open soon. Please email Rebecca Celestin if you have any questions: rcelesti@uottawa.ca
Please save the date for the Department of Family Medicine's Annual Faculty Retreat, which will be taking place again at the Fairmont, Chateau Montebello, from October 27th to October 29th. Please look out for registration and event details in the coming months.
We also welcome you to join the Department of Family Medicine’s MainPro+ Certified Family Medicine Grand Rounds, via Zoom, on Thursday, April 27th, from 8:00-9:00 a.m., for a presentation from the DFM’s Dr. Jonathan Fitzsimon, A Hybrid Approach: Combining in-person and virtual care options to increase access to primary care. For more information, please view the poster, or contact Miya Ismayilova at Mismayil@uOttawa.ca.
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DFM Faculty Promotions: 2022-2023 cycle | |
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Department of Family Medicine Faculty Promotions for the 2022-2023 cycle
We are proud of our faculty members who achieved academic promotion progressing in rank from Assistant to Associate Professor in recognition of their outstanding contributions to our department. The Professorial promotions ceremony at the Faculty of Medicine took place virtually on February 23, 2023, and celebrated the following faculty:
- Dr. Anna Wilkinson
- Dr. Kay-Anne Haykal
- Dr. Lyne Pitre
- Dr. Richard Waldolf
- Dr. Peter Tanuseputro – Cross-Appointed with the Department of Family Medicine
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Using virtual reality to combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Our Director, Strategic Planning and Financial Services, Jeffery Puncher, made an appearance on CBC News on March 9, 2023. He gave reporters a tour of the DFM’s exciting new virtual reality technology – simulations of scuba diving via the Immersive Virtual Reality application – that is used to help relieve post-traumatic stress and anxiety symptoms. Watch the complete segment on the CBC Ottawa News, March 9, 2023.
Power of Flow to Help First Responders
In a March 13th radio segment on the CBC’s Ontario Today, Jeffrey Puncher discusses the use of immersive virtual reality and the impact of flow to support the psychological health of first responders. Access the following link to listen to the full interview.
Driving Change to Better Serve Vulnerable Communities
Dr. Danielle Brown-Shreves, an Adjunct Professor, was interviewed by the CBC and discussed her work in supporting vulnerable communities. Access the CBC article for the full interview.
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Faculty Development Update | |
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The Ontario College of Family Physicians' CFPC Exam Orientation Workshop for Practice Eligible Candidates
Dr. Kendall Noel, Assistant Professor, and 2 other members of the University of Ottawa Family, Dr. Valerie Migicovsky, Lecturer, and Dr. Wendy Zhang, Lecturer, both from Winchester, were in Toronto from March 3-5, 2023, to deliver the CFPC Exam Orientation Workshop for Practice Eligible Candidates on behalf of the Ontario College of Family Physicians. This was the first in-person running of the workshop since the start of the pandemic. This program has been delivered since around 2003, with its current format being in existence since 2010. Also in attendance was Dr. Eileen TenCate, a physician from Winchester and a faculty member at Queen’s University. Dr. Tania Zakhem, (a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Family Medicine program), and Dr. Ankita Tadkase, (Faculty, University of Toronto), were not present, but were equally instrumental in the delivery of the workshop over the years.
The group photo (below) was taken following the presentation of the 2022 National Review Course’s Best Family Medicine Educator Award (Ontario Region) awarded to Dr. Noel for his work related to the delivery of this workshop over the last 20 years.
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Pictured: Drs. Noel, Migicovsky, Zhang and TenCate accompanied by the resident volunteers and the cohort of family physician participants from across Canada who attended the March 2023 workshop | |
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Originally a didactic session meant to level the playing field for practice eligible candidates who were not adequately prepared for exam preparation materials in the early 2000s, this workshop has significantly evolved to its present form. It provides practice eligible candidates with an in-depth understanding of the SOO and SAMP components of the CFPC’s certification exam. It is also an opportunity for candidates to write a mock SAMP, experience the examiner standardization process on one SOO, and practice as a candidate on 4 mock SOOs. Feedback from residents, who play the role of the examiner in the mock SOOs, is that the process of being “standardized” provides a helpful and pragmatic understanding of what it means to be patient-centred.
Dr. Noel would like to acknowledge the help of the hundreds of resident volunteers who have made this workshop a success over the years. Additionally, he would like to thank all the OCFP staff throughout the years, but presently represented by Julia Galbraith, Leigh Anne Butler, Sacha Roman and Tim Johnson and their lead, Mina Viscard-Johnson, without whom the workshop would have been impossible to coordinate.
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Nominations for the 2023 DFM Awards
Share the Joy! Support your colleagues by nominating them for an award: create a culture of acknowledgement. You know your colleagues work hard, day-in-day out. Let them know they are making a difference with their colleagues, in their teaching and with their patients. Workplace wellness, in part, relates to acknowledging special people doing great work. Know a faculty member or administrator who makes a difference? Share 150-250 words on why they are great! Please submit your nominations by April 1st via the online Nomination Form or by emailing Rebecca Celestin: rcelesti@uottawa.ca.
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Call for submissions for Family Medicine Updates
The University of Ottawa Journal of Medicine (UOJM) is accepting submissions for their upcoming Issue 13.1: Family Medicine Updates. They will consider articles related to Family Medicine education and practice, including, but not limited to, original research on primary care delivery, clinical guideline reviews and student perspectives. Submissions are required by Wednesday, May 31st, at 11:59 p.m. Access the UOJM webpage for more information.
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The DFM is seeking to fill a Winchester Unit Postgraduate Program Director position at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital. View the job description for more information and how to apply. Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.
We invite you to visit our careers webpage to browse other available opportunities.
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Family Medicine Interest Group “Plus One Night”
On Wednesday, March 29th from 6:00-8:00 p.m., the University of Ottawa’s Family Medicine Interest Group will be hosting an annual “Plus One Night” to showcase family physicians and family medicine residents who have completed different +1's/PGY-3 programs. The event will be held via Zoom. Register here!
Medical Choir
We invite you to join the University of Ottawa's Medical Choir every Thursday from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Room 103. No medical or musical experience is needed. Just bring your singing voice! Contact commsdfm@uottawa.ca for more information.
Essentials for Practice Improvement for Ontario Physicians
The University of Ottawa’s Office of Continuing Professional Development is hosting a series of interactive webinars, Essentials for Practice Improvement for Ontario Physicians, for those looking to advance their quality improvement skills and are working on their CPSO QI/QA practice improvement plans. Register here!
72nd Annual Refresher Course for Family Physicians
Registration is open for the 72nd Annual Refresher Course for Family Physicians, which is taking place from Wednesday, April 19th to Friday April 21st. Topics include physician wellness, preventative care, diabetic patient care, and more. Register here!
The Fetal Alcoholism Syndrome
On Wednesday, March 29th, Dr. John Joanisse, Assistant Professor, is hosting a free webinar about the effects of alcohol use during pregnancy, symptoms, and signs in the at-risk child, as well as available resources and treatments. This webinar if offered in French. Register here!
CMPA Teaching Patient Safety Fundamentals: A Workshop for Medical Educators
The CMPA is offering accredited, live and interactive faculty development workshops on Tuesday, May 30th and Thursday, June 15th for teachers and supervisors of residents. Register here!
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