Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid to Receive CMA's Sir Charles Tupper Award for Political Action

OTTAWA, Aug. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid of Vancouver will be awarded the Canadian Medical Association's (CMA) 2014 Sir Charles Tupper Award for Political Action in recognition of her effective political advocacy for physicians and citizens alike.

"Dr. MacDiarmid has demonstrated leadership, commitment and dedication in advancing the goals and policies of the CMA through effective political advocacy," said Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, CMA President. "Physicians and the public have both greatly benefited from her accomplishments."

"I feel deeply honoured to receive this award and to join the distinguished physicians who are past recipients," said Dr. MacDiarmid. "Political action at every level is important and is a great example of how one person can truly make a difference.  I became a physician for the simple reason that I wanted to make a difference and have been privileged to be able to do that in my practice as a GP, in my work with Doctors of BC and CMA, and as an MLA and cabinet minister in British Columbia

Dr. MacDiarmid was a member of the British Columbia Medical Association (now Doctors of BC) board of directors for 12 years and served as president (2006–07). She was instrumental in the creation of a political advocacy teaching program in which medical trainees learn how to be effective advocates at the provincial and federal levels. She was also influential on the national stage through the Council of the Federation, as a member of the CMA Board of Directors, and as a participant in CMA initiatives such as the MD–MP Program and Doctors in the House.

She practised family medicine for more than 25 years before entering politics herself. Elected to the BC Legislature in 2009, she was appointed to cabinet and headed several ministries before serving as minister of health (2012–13). Currently she is on the board of Vancouver Coastal Health.

Dr. MacDiarmid will receive the CMA's 2014 Sir Charles Tupper Award for Political Action on Aug. 20, at a ceremony to be held at the Westin Ottawa as part of the association's 147th annual meeting.

The CMA is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, the CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing more than 80,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 60 national medical organizations. CMA's mission is to serve and unite the physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health care.

SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association

Dominique Jolicoeur, Communications Officer, Tel.: [phone] or 800-663-7336 ext. 2038, Cell: 613-809-5669, [email protected]