Inside "The Green Room"

| 28 September 2023

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Department of Family Medicine here at Queen’s. It was such a great pleasure to recognize the many accomplishments and milestones of the past 50 years at our celebration event on September 13. Many current and former staff, faculty, and residents joined us to remember and recognize contributions both local and global.

From early adoption of community- and competency-based education to longstanding community partnerships like those with the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority on the coast of James Bay and unique educational opportunities like placements in the Falkland Islands or tailored training for members of the Canadian Armed Forces, our department’s long tradition of innovation and service is evident.

Globally, we recognized the lasting impact of the Queen’s Bosnia project, which helped rebuild the health-care system after a devastating conflict. We also recognized the impact of our commitment to research, highlighting that two of the CFPC’s “Top 10” research accomplishments in family medicine were led here. Both the community-based randomized controlled trial of BP management in the community and the development of the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network, the first national EMR data repository, showcased the importance of practice-based research and learning networks in producing the evidence we need as a profession.

The first 50 years have brought amazing things, and I know the next 50 will be just as impactful!

I would be remiss if I didn’t also recognize that this week marks the annual Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30). As part of our departmental commitment to EDIIA, our entire senior leadership team took time on September 14 to further our own understanding of what it means to be committed to reconciliation and culturally safe care. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sarah Funnell to a new role in our department and faculty, both as a colleague here at the Queen’s Family Health Team and the first associate dean for Indigenous health for Queen’s Health Sciences (QHS). I hope you will join her when she discusses Climbing the Mountain towards Reconciliation at a QHS National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event on Friday, September 29 at 1 p.m. in the School of Medicine Building (Room 132A) or join virtually.

Dr. Michael Green

Department Head

Department Head Blog

Publish Date

Thu, 09/28/2023 - 08:56

Inside "The Green Room"

Inside "The Green Room"

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