CFPC's Family Medicine Forum is focus of CFPC's 7th Annual Family Doctor Week
in Canada

October 11-16, 2010

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct 6 /CNW/ - In celebration of Family Doctor Week in Canada, The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and the British Columbia College of Family Physicians will co-host the nation's largest annual family medicine scientific program at the Vancouver Convention Centre from October 14-16, 2010. Scientific sessions, events and keynote speakers deliver new information for family doctors to advance their profession and care for their patients.

Media representatives are welcome to attend all open sessions.  Upon arrival at the Vancouver Convention Centre please proceed to the Media Centre, Rooms 105 &106, to register.

"The CFPC is proud to host Family Doctor Week as an opportunity to recognize the vital role of family physicians across Canada and the highly valued relationships they share with their patients and colleagues," says CFPC President, Dr. Cathy MacLean.  "This special week also provides an opportunity for governments, health care organizations and other professionals to acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by family doctors to improve the health and well-being of their patients through their roles in clinics, hospitals, universities, and many other healthcare facilities in Canadian communities." 

"The CFPC advocates for the best possible health care system for Canadians with family doctors playing a central role," adds Dr. Calvin Gutkin, Executive Director and CEO of the CFPC.  "Family doctors in each community should be visible as leaders in the delivery of front line health care and should continue taking on clearly defined roles as part of our national and local public health systems. The CFPC is honoured to acknowledge the exceptional dedication demonstrated by Canadian family doctors to their patients and their tireless commitment to providing primary medical care that is both timely and of the highest quality."

Family Medicine Forum Program Highlights Open to Media:

October 14-16
Scientific Sessions:  Topics include 2009 Influenza Pandemic: all it was cracked up to be?, creating a sustainable vaccine practice (H1N1 lessons), electronic communication with patients, advances in MS, Tuberculosis: progress towards elimination, group shared medical visits,  ethical issues in providing end-of-life care, and highly effective health care systems. See the detailed program of concurrent session presentations: http://fmf.cfpc.ca/ 

Thursday, October 14, 2010
8:00-9:45 am PT:   Ballrooms ABC, Vancouver Convention Centre
State of the College Address presented by Dr. Cathy MacLean, CFPC President, followed by:
Keynote Address by Robert Thirsk MD, MCFP
Recipient of the 2010 Scotiabank - CFPC Family Medicine Lectureship Award
"Exploring Space: The adventures and research findings of a Canadian family physician astronaut"
In 2009 Canadian Space Agency astronaut and family physician, Dr. Robert Thirsk, became the first Canadian to fly a long duration expedition aboard the International Space Station.  During this mission he studied the long-term physical effects of zero-gravity on the human body.  Dr. Thirsk will share his experiences and discoveries during his recent adventures in space.

News Conference - 10:00 am PT - Rooms 111/112, Vancouver Convention Centre
Announcement re: Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN)
Audiocast: http://www.newswire.ca/en/webcast/viewEvent.cgi?eventID=3240820
Media Advisory to be issued on Tues, Oct 12, 2010
News Release to be issued on Thurs, Oct 14, 2010
Contacts: Heather Chew, Blueprint Public Cell: 613-797-8626 [email protected]                
Or Wendy Cumming, Blueprint Public Relations Cell: 613-619-4555 [email protected]
Or FMF Media Centre: 778-331-7615 or 778-331-7618

Friday, October 15, 2010:
8:00-9:45 am PT:  Ballroom ABC, Vancouver Convention Centre
Keynote Address by Jack Taunton, MD, MSc, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
"An Olympian challenge: Caring for the world's athletes"
Dr. Jack Taunton recently lent his expertise to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Director of UBC's Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre, Dr. Taunton is the co-founder of the Vancouver Sun Run and has acted as Dedicated Team Physician at multi-sport games, including previous Olympic, Pan American and Commonwealth Games. In 2000, Dr. Taunton was elected the Canadian Sports Physician of the Year. 

CFPC President's Installation and Canada's Family Physicians of the Year Award Presentations -
Dr. Robert Boulay will be officially installed as the 2010-2011 CFPC President.  That ceremony will be immediately followed by the presentations of the Reg L. Perkin Awards to the 2010 Family Physicians of the Year: http://fpoy.cfpc.ca
SEE FPOY NEWS RELEASE AND BACKGROUNDER ISSUED ON MON, OCT 4, 2010.
Contacts: Martin Leroux, [email protected], Or Karen Bennett, [email protected],
Delta Media: [phone]

Saturday, October 16, 2010:
7:00-8:00 am PT:  6^th Annual Walk for the Docs of Tomorrow
5km walk and run to help raise funds for the Research and Education Foundation's Medical Student Scholarship Program. Entrance fee: $25.00. Children and students are free. Pledge sheets are available for download at www.cfpc.ca  Contact: Sarah Beer-Delaney 905-629-0900 ext 244 or [email protected]  

8:15 - 10:20 am PT:  History and Narrative: Stories in Family Medicine
Come and share in the experience as the winners of the 2010 AMS Mimi Divinsky Award for History and Narrative in Family Medicine from across the country share their fascinating stories of life as a family doctor.
Contact: Stephanie Fredo at [email protected]

ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is the voice of family medicine in Canada. Representing more than 24,000 members across the country, the CFPC is the professional organization responsible for establishing standards for the training, certification and lifelong education of family physicians and for advocating on behalf of the specialty of family medicine, family physicians and their patients. The CFPC accredits postgraduate family medicine training in Canada's 17 medical schools.  

(disponible en français)

For further information:

Jayne Johnston, Communications Manager,
The College of Family Physicians of Canada1-800-387-6197 ext.303  
www.cfpc.ca  [email protected]