Posts by donna@mspei.org
Halfway through med school: the journey continues
*Two years ago, we introduced you to medical student Sydney Ford in “An Islander’s Journey to Medicine” and we’ve been following her medical journey ever since. Sydney last shared her hopes for her second year and is now entering her third year at Memorial University. The pressure is on for third-year medical student Sydney Ford.…
Read MoreNew five-year deal with physicians will lead to better access to care for Islanders and give PEI a competitive edge in recruitment and retention
This week, Prince Edward Island doctors signed a historic five-year Physician Services Agreement with the Government of Prince Edward Island and Health PEI. The new agreement represents a $188.3 million investment in physician services over the five years and a strong emphasis on primary care. This investment in family medicine will result in improved recruitment…
Read MorePeer Support Program Welcomes New Leader
The Medical Society of Prince Edward Island (MSPEI)’s new peer support program lead is settling in and ready to support Island doctors. PEI physician Dr. Megan Miller stepped into the role as the Program Lead for the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Program last month. She’s no stranger to this type of leadership role. She served as…
Read MoreTentative Agreement reached between PEI physicians, Department of Health and Wellness and Health PEI
Health and Wellness Minister, Mark McLane; Health PEI CEO, Melanie Fraser; and Medical Society of Prince Edward Island President, Dr. Krista Cassell issued the following joint statement regarding the Tentative Agreement reached this week: “We are delighted to announce that the Government of Prince Edward Island, Health PEI, and MSPEI have come to a Tentative…
Read MorePhysician Health Program offers compassion, encourages doctors to practice self-compassion
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Week (May 6-12) is centered on the healing power of compassion, something researchers have been studying for the past decade. Longitudinal studies on the impacts of compassion on mental health indicate that giving and receiving compassion, along with practicing self-compassion, can result in substantial benefits. Roxanne Joyce, Physician…
Read MoreImproving wellness and increasing joy: Prescribing nature activity
Dr. Joanne McGinn wants her patients to have more fun and joy in their lives. It’s why the emergency medicine physician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital often “prescribes” exercise as part of her patients’ treatments. She believes combining exercise with social activity in nature can improve physical and mental conditions and reduce risk factors for…
Read MoreLeadership Development Program builds relationships and trust
Earlier this month, 32 graduates celebrated completing this year’s MSPEI Leadership Development Program. Over the past eight months, these 19 physicians and 13 health administrative leaders embarked on a learning journey, as they collaborated on identifying solutions to some of our healthcare system’s most complex problems. For the first time ever, MSPEI’s leadership program cohort…
Read MoreReducing the stigma: Recognizing Epilepsy Awareness Month
PEI Neurologist Dr. Tiffany Townsend diagnoses someone with epilepsy at least once a month. She estimates about 25 per cent of her patients have some form of epilepsy. That percentage is high considering it is one of more than 600 neurological diseases and PEI is the smallest province in Canada. Despite the frequency of diagnoses,…
Read MoreMedical associations across the country oppose government efforts to restrict access to care
Medical associations from coast to coast are deeply concerned about any government proposal that would restrict access to evidence-based medical care for patients, including for the transgender population. Canadians have the right to make personal choices about their health with the support of their families, the guidance of physicians working with other regulated health professionals…
Read MoreAdvocating for Gender Equity in Medicine
Specializing in women’s health provides the diversity that Dr. Gina Colbourne was seeking when she first earned her medical degree. As an obstetrician and gynecologist on PEI, she has the opportunity to work in the labour and delivery unit, outpatient clinic, and the operating room while treating a whole host of issues ranging from infertility…
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