Examining collegiality in Saskatchewan - Saskatchewan Medical ...

FEATURE
We have a professional responsibility to take a
leadership role in effecting the changes needed to improve
the quality of care Canadians receive...
the quality of care that Canadians receive every day.” Having
physicians at the table with the policy makers and having the
skill set to influence decisions on the future of health care in
Canada is “a critical success factor without which significant
improvement in the system will not be realized.” He is quick
to add, “Of course we need to begin by ensuring that we are,
ourselves, truly providing patient-centered care.”
It was Dr. Vogel’s desire to build on his work with the SMA
that drew him to the new opportunity in Ottawa. “I knew
that the board had set a new strategic course for the CMA
and was undergoing a structural reorganization in order to
be in the best position to advance its vision, at the federal
level, for a sustainable health care system that is more responsive
to patient needs. As the organizational changes
unfolded, and the newly created position was defined, I saw
the opportunity to bring some of the work we were doing in
Saskatchewan to the national stage,” says Dr. Vogel.
“With the CMA, I am looking forward to working with all
the provincial and territorial medical associations and other
health partners throughout the country during this very important
time in health care transformation.”
So, are there any regrets for the 49-year old health care executive
as he leaves the province he has called home for the
past 20 years “I will not leave with any regrets; my time
here has been rewarding.”
On the personal front, he reflects, “I have faced challenges
like anyone else, and these have not been unique to me. However,
my life in Saskatchewan has afforded me, and my family,
tremendous opportunities to grow and develop, to see and
do things we would never have been able to experience elsewhere
and to prepare us for the next chapter in our lives.”
“It is the people,” he adds, “that one will always miss. That
was true when I left South Africa, and it will be true when I
move to Ottawa.”
On the professional front, Dr. Vogel cites not being here to participate
in the SMA’s progress towards achieving the priorities
of the strategic plan as one area which causes him some melancholy.
He sees the SMA board’s direction as playing a critical
role in successfully bringing about the changes Saskatchewan
needs in order to improve the quality of health care services
delivered and to improve the patient experience.
However, he takes great comfort in the fact the SMA has a
focused and responsible board that will ensure that progress
is made. “I am comfortable that the SMA has made excellent
strides towards developing effective governance and
administrative structures to see the successful achievement
of the board’s strategy and to make an invaluable contribution
to the province’s health care improvement agenda. This
is a strong board with good leadership, and l am confident
that they will make an excellent choice for my replacement.
I have no doubt that the association will continue to flourish
for years to come,” a humble Dr. Vogel states.
“We all have our strengths and weaknesses as leaders, and
I have played to my strengths. A new CEO will create new
energy, will carry forth the values of the association, and the
SMA will continue to achieve great things,” concludes Dr. Vogel.
“As I head east into the sunrise, I do hope to be remembered...
at least for a little while.”
SMA News Digest Spring 2011 3