2009 Fall - University of Toronto Medical Alumni Association

PresIDeNt’s Message Dr. sUaN-seh Foo (CLass oF 1990)DeaN’s Message Dr. CatharINe WhItesIDe (CLass oF 1975)separate but togetherour strength lies in independence—and partnershipBeyond the big cityFaculty initiatives offer students opportunities in rural and northern medicinePhotograPhy: tayLor ZhoUyoumight not think ofthe MAA as a “freespirit,” but theMedical AlumniAssociation is, and always has been, anindependent organization in the Universityof Toronto family. The MAA dates backto the 1890s, well before the founding ofthe University of Toronto Alumni Associationin 1901. In fact, the MAA lent its organizationalexpertise to help the fledglingU of T association establish itself. In 1956the MAA was officially registered as acharitable (non-profit) organization, andthen, as now, maintains its own boardof directors and financial records.Although we often partner with them,we work completely independently fromboth the U of T Alumni Associationand the Faculty of Medicine.Why are we a separate entity? Part ofthe answer may lie in the fact that asphysicians, many of us cherish being“masters of our own destiny.” Anotherreason is that our organizational independencelets us fully and most effectivelyrepresent the interests and goals of you,our alumni; it gives us autonomy from theuniversity in our policies and politics; and,as a small association, it allows us to beflexible and respond quickly and efficientlyto both opportunities and concerns.Part of our mandate is to help ourstudents with the often debilitating financialobligations they incur during and afterseveral years of med school. We do this byoffering bursaries, grants and interest-freeloans, often partnering with graduatingclasses to establish funds and awards.We also give crucial support to importantinitiatives such as International Healthscholarships. We encourage your ongoingsupport of these endeavours—they exist asthe Faculty andthe Maa arecommitted toensuring that ourprograms areaccessible to allstudents, regardlessof financial status.Dr. Suan-Seh Foo(right) presents MAAProficiency Scholarshipto Dr. Warren Cheung(2009) at the 2009 MAAConvocation Banqueta direct result of your commitmentthrough the MAA.We are also partners with the Facultyof Medicine on Access to Excellence: TheCampaign for Medical Students. This is aseparate, but equally worthwhile initiativededicated to raising funds to increase medstudent financial aid. The Faculty and theMAA are committed to ensuring that ourprograms are accessible to all students,regardless of financial status.Separate, but together in our resolve toencourage admission and ongoing supportfor the best and the brightest students—this is how I would describe the partnershipbetween the MAA and the Faculty.I would like to take this opportunity, aswe near the end of the year, to thank youfor your continued interest and support.My appreciation also extends to our tirelessMAA board of directors; Ruth Gillingsand assistants Julienne Ramos (now onmaternity leave) and Celeste Alora; andDean Whiteside and her staff. I wish youall a wonderful holiday season and a safeand happy new year.health care professions areever-evolving and dynamic.As knowledge is accrued, we inhealth care learn and grow withit. As new research discoveries are made,we incorporate those discoveries into careand treatment. As technology advances, weadvance along with it. And as a populationchanges — as ours is changing in Ontarioand across Canada — we look for newopportunities for the next generation ofhealth care professionals to acquire theknowledge and skills required to meet theneeds of that changing population.Our students and trainees will graduateMedical Alumni AssociationMAA Matters is publishedby the Medical alumni association inco-operation with the University oftoronto’s Faculty of Medicine.into a world where medicine is increasinglybeing practised in all kinds of settings –-urban, suburban and rural. Our hospitalaffiliations have expanded to include areasbeyond Toronto; the Royal VictoriaHospital in Barrie, Markham StouffvilleHospital and Southlake Regional HealthCentre in Newmarket have all recentlyjoined our coterie of CommunityAffiliated Hospitals.The challenges for access to primarycare are evident across Canada, but areespecially acute in rural communities. Inrecognition of this challenge, our Facultyhas undertaken a number of initiatives toexpand our scope of training settings andfamiliarize our students with rural medicalexperience. The Faculty’s Rural HealthInitiative invites speakers from variousrural organizations as well as physicianswho practise rural medicine. Students curiousabout practising in a small communityhave the opportunity to engage front linerural practitioners and learn about theunique benefits of practising in remoteand small communities.The Rural Health Initiative also arrangesfamily practice placements for studentsthroughout the year in rural and underservicedcommunities, a program which haseditor: Fiona Irvine-gouletContributors: Celeste alora,Laura arsié, Paul Cantin,Dr. suan-seh Foo, Dr. Barney giblon,ruth gillings, Macarena sierra,Dr. Catharine Whiteside, taylor ZhouCover photo: Laura arsiéDesign and art Director:Luisa De VitoHappy holidays from the MAA!www.maautoronto.caproven to be extremely popular withstudents. The Rural Health Initiative’sOutreach Program sees students from allfour years taking time out from their ruralelectives to meet and speak with highschool students in their own communitiesto encourage them to consider medicineas a profession.Since 2006, our department of familyand community medicine has collaboratedwith the Ministry of Health and LongTerm Care on the Rural NorthernInitiative, which brings faculty and residentsfor two week “locums” in underservicedcommunities in Northern Ontario.And this year, our Faculty also partneredwith the Michener Institute for AppliedHealth Sciences and the Northern OntarioMedical School to create the PhysicianAssistant (PA) Consortium, which istraining PAs — mid-level health careprofessionals who function as “physicianextenders” — in rural and urban centres.The primary goal of these initiativesis to assist in our communities’ need forimproved access to care close to home.But the unique professional environmentworking in rural centres provides its ownrewards to those drawn to this importantopportunity.For more information,please contact:ruth gillings,room 3249,Medical sciences Building,1 King’s College Circletoronto M5s 1a8tel.: (416) 978-0991e-mail: medical.alumni@utoronto.caWebsite: http://maautoronto.caON THE COVERDr. Erika Catford enjoys thefall colours in Orillia, ON.Photo: Laura arsiéPhotograPhy: MaCDoNNeL PhotograPhy2 Univer sity of toronto • Winter 2009 Medical alumni association 3