BestPractice A CANADIAN MEDICAL FOUNDATION PUBLICATION AUTUMN 2013 You Make ALL the Difference Donors Create Solutions through the Canadian Physician Health Institute You don’t have to go far to discover a Canadian physician in need of support. Canadian statistics show if you think about just 5 of your colleagues, chances are one of them is suffering from a mental health or addiction issue. The good news? Something is being done about it. Right here. Right now. Canadian Physician Health Institute (CPHI) After several years of building partnerships, creating synergy and harnessing the collective mind power of Canada’s physician leaders, the Canadian Physician Health Institute (CPHI) is poised to showcase it all at the CCPH (Canadian Conference on Physician Health) in Calgary, November 15 to 16, 2013. CPHI is a joint partnership program of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Canadian Medical Foundation (CMF) and involves provincial and territorial associations and regulating bodies. It aims to become a central point-ofcontact developing and assisting programs and people. CPHI will create real solutions for physicians, medical students and retired physicians. “We went to the physician community and invited them to submit ideas on how they could help their colleagues in meaningful ways, and in so doing help the entire Canadian health care system,” says Canadian Medical Foundation Chair, Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai. “It was a lengthy process. Now we have several exciting projects underway which will lead to impactful improvements in the health and well-being of physicians.” Real Action in Real Time • A team from McMaster University will evaluate the effect of peer support groups on resilience in anesthesia Residents. • Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan will examine how mindfulness in medical practice drop-in classes can help medical students build resilience and cope with the stress that can lead to burnout. • A phone-line crisis program offered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical The Canadian Physician Health Institute goals are built on four pillars: Access Awareness Acceptance Prevention Support increased equitability of access to resources for the emotional, psychosocial, and mental well-being of physicians. Raise awareness and improve understanding of the importance of physicians’ emotional, psychosocial, and mental well-being. Reduce the stigma associated with physician mental health issues. Develop and support primary prevention activities related to mental health, for physicians. Association (NLMA) will expand to include health promotion and illness prevention services provided by local physicians specially trained to work with their colleagues. • A small group practice-based continuing education program for physicians and case managers working within physician health programs will be created and piloted by the Quebec Physicians’ Health Program. “This is just a start of our journey” says Dr. Collins-Nakai. “We know we have a long way to go. With the help and generosity from our donors we will continue to reach out to the physician community and fund projects which will help all of us...including patients.” ■ To learn more about CPHI and to offer your direct support visit medicalfoundation.ca or www.cphi-icsm.ca Canadian Conference 15–16 November 2013 ON Hyatt Regency Calgary PHYSICIAN HEALTH Harnessing wisdom across generations to promote physician health Partner and co-host Calgary, Alberta Canadian Physician Health Institute (CPHI) THE CANADIAN MEDICAL FOUNDATION • 1870 ALTA VISTA DR • OTTAWA ON • K1G 6R7 CMF and MD Physician Services Golf Tournament Presented By Franklin Templeton Institutional Who would have thought that a June golf tournament would experience near freezing temperatures and rains that appeared to be falling horizontally because of high winds, but not even the incredible (incredibly bad) weather could dampen the spirits of the sold-out field of golfers who attended the 2013 annual CMF/MD Physician Services Golf Tournament at Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ontario. Thanks to their generosity and those of the event sponsors an amazing $350,000 was raised this year to support the physician health and wellness programs of the Canadian Medical Foundation and financial aid for medical students, particularly those from aboriginal and first nation backgrounds. Canadian Medical Foundation and MD Physician Services A sincere thank-you is extended to all of the 2013sponsors Annualand Golfsupports, Tournament 2013 event Presented by Franklin Templeton Institutionaland a special thank-you to our Presenting Sponsor, Franklin Templeton Institutional, as well as our Platinum Sponsors: MD Physician Services, Deloitte, Manulife Asset Management and Mackenzie Investments. A special thank you Thank you for raise also goes to Subaru, forhelping their twousholes-in-one. more than $340,000! Glen Abbey, Oakville, Ontario • Thursday, June 6, 2013 Presenting Sponsor Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors The 2014 Golf Tournament is once again scheduled to take place at Glen Abbey in Oakville, but organizers have promised to speak to someone about better weather. The tournament sells-out quickly so to reserve your spot or to obtain information on sponsorship and other partnership opportunities please contact [email protected]. The CMF promise some new and exciting elements for the Thursday, June 5, 2014 tournament. ■ medicalfoundation.ca CMF at CMA General Council The Canadian Medical Foundation (CMF) was proud to once again be invited to CMA General Council (GC) which took place in Calgary a few short weeks after floods ravaged the City and nearby communities. The resilience and community spirit of Albertans was very evident, and even infectious, leading both the CMF and event attendees to “ramp-up” their philanthropic partnership with the CMA to raise much needed support for two local charities which are helping address the challenges that flooding has had on some of the communities most vulnerable. Working in partnership with the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), the Mustard Seed (a group that helps meet the basic needs of shelter, food, clothing and acceptance for men and women experiencing poverty) and the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre, more commonly known as “The DI” and the “voice of the marginalized” were selected. Pleased to be the CMA’s philanthropic partner the CMF organized some fundraising activities that helped to raise $2,500 for each of these worthy organizations. During GC, the CMF also hosted its own Annual General Meeting, an education session that featured the well-renowned physician health and wellness researcher, Dr. Jane Lemaire, also of Calgary, manned a booth with representation from the Canadian Physician Health Institute (CPHI), and hosted one of the luncheons that in and of itself raised funds to support work of the CMF. Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai, Chair of the CMF Board of Trustees, and fellow Albertan, was quick to thank the CMA for once again demonstrating their commitment to the CMF and social responsibility. Dr. Collins-Nakai noted “the Canadian Medical Foundation is proud to be the philanthropic partner for physicians in Canada and the Canadian Medical Association. Our many programs such as those focused on support for physician health would not be possible without the generosity and leadership from donors such as those that attended GC.” She also went on to note the generosity of key groups such as the CMAH Board of Trustees, who determined collectively that they would support the CMF at this year’s General Council meeting. To learn more about the CMF and the programs surrounding physician health and wellness, financial aid, and special projects supported by the fundraising efforts that take place or to support flood-relief efforts in Alberta please contact CMF at [email protected] or visit medicalfoundation.ca. ■ End of Year Giving A Fiscally Responsible Way of Doing Good As you approach the Holidays, your mailbox and these days your inbox begin to bulge with opportunities for you to support your favourite causes. There are two reasons for this. 1. This is universally recognized as the “giving time of year”. 2. This is the tax-smart time of year. When you put both together, it’s no wonder why the Canadian Medical Foundation and other non-profits hope for a huge spike in donations. So what do you do? Left-brain, right-brain. The end of the year is your last chance to feed both sides. Do good. Feel good. Reduce your tax burden. “November and December are busy months at the Canadian Medical Foundation,” says President and CEO Lee Gould. “Canadian physicians open their hearts and decide to make a real difference in the lives of their colleagues and patients, and they do. I see it every day.” According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), a registered charity can only issue a tax-receipt for a gift given before December 31st of any given year. In other words, if you are mailing your gift, do so before December 20th (although a postmark on the envelope before December 31st is acceptable). If you decide to give by phone or online, make sure you do so before midnight on the 31st. Just keep in mind the statutory holidays and weekends. End-of-year giving is a triple win. You are happy. Your accountant is happy. The people whose lives you change for the better are happy. A new year is about to begin, start it right by supporting CMF’s meaningful charitable work today. Please give to the Canadian Medical Foundation. Unlike most charities in Canada 100% of all donations to the Canadian Medical Foundation go to charitable works. 100%! ■ The Canadian Medical Foundation issues tax receipts for all donations. Call us toll-free at 1-866-530-4979. Email [email protected] or go online at medicalfoundation.ca. medicalfoundation.ca Ethiopia to Fort Nelson and Back Again Dr. Allan Kassa Gives in Life and Death Love stories aren’t always written the same way. The best ones have unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes sad endings turn in to happy beginnings. The story of the late Dr. Ayalew Allan Kassa is still being written. His journey begins in rural Ethiopia, winds its way to Fort Nelson, BC and back again to his home country 56 too-short years later. It wasn’t long after arriving in Fort Nelson when he met his surviving wife, Betty Asher. Betty was and still is the Director of Nursing at Fort Nelson General Hospital. Dr. Kassa and Betty are local, national, and international heroes. Ever since he journeyed to Fort Nelson, Dr. Kassa immediately and deliberately wove himself into the local fabric. Dr. Kassa’s hands ushered in more than 10,000 babies into life during his practice that began England, and later, Canada. He was a beloved physician to many First Nations people, and made a point of understanding the culture and ceremony with which they celebrate life. Dr. Kassa’s also saved – and is still saving – the lives of thousands of people he never met. Through his charitable giving and his partnership with the Canadian Medical Foundation, his kindness and love of the human condition will live forever. “We feel good when we help other people,” says Betty. She mentions this just weeks before she is set to travel with the ashes of her husband back to Ethiopia where his kind spirit first came to light. “Her late husband was gifted,” she says, speaking not only of his skill as a physician but of their giving way of life. “I love to give. Al loved to give. Money’s not everything.” It was March 22, 2013 when Dr. Kassa succumbed to a cardiac arrest. The first responder at their house was his beloved wife Betty. PLEASE HELP $100 $250 $1000 Other $ $500 Mr. Mrs. “I rushed home. I was doing CPR on him in our home. I did what I had to do.” Now, Betty is doing what she has to do again, bringing Al to his final peace and resting spot. While in Ethiopia she will visit a school which has fresh water, thanks to Al and Betty. She will visit some of the children who are getting higher education thanks to their generosity. The love story Dr. Kassa was writing for is far from over. It continues to be written by the lives he saved, by the lives he is still saving, and by his soulmate, Betty. ■ Online : medicalfoundation.ca | Phone : 1 888 770.7775 | Mail: Fill out this form and mail to : Canadian Medical Foundation 1870 Alta Vista Dr, Ottawa, ON K1G 6R7 Enclosed is my cheque payable to the Canadian Medical Foundation CARD NO. Dr. Ms. Å Dr. Kassa and his wife approached the Canadian Medical Foundation in 2010 to arrange a donor advised fund (DAF). The fund they created continues to grow and change the lives of people in Canada, Ethiopia and around the World. The Canadian Medical Foundation fondly remembers Dr. Al Kassa and thanks him, his wife and all our donors for their vision and investment in the lives of others. EXP (mm/yy) FIRST NAME Visa MasterCard Amex SIGNATURE LAST NAME ADDRESS (PREFERRED) CITY PROV TEL (DAYTIME) TEL (EVENING) POSTAL CODE EMAIL CMF/11/2013 Charitable Registration #: 119219327RR0001 THE CANADIAN MEDICAL FOUNDATION • 1870 ALTA VISTA DR • OTTAWA ON • K1G 6R7
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