Chapter News: March 2026
CQMF Mentorship Program wins the 2026 “Prix Mentorat en lumière” (Mentorship in the Spotlight Award)
From left to right in the photo: Dr. Sophie Galarneau, Ms. Sophie Juignier, Dr. Dominique Deschênes, Dr. Éveline Hudon, Dr. Marie-Claude Moore, Dr. Geneviève Bois, Prof. Mostafa Ayoobzadeh.
Thanks to its proven and acclaimed mentoring program, the CQMF was awarded the 2026 Prix Mentorat en lumière (Mentorship in the Spotlight Award) by Mentorat Québec on January 28th! This award recognizes high-quality programs that make a real impact in Quebec.
We warmly congratulate Dr. Dominique Deschênes, the driving force behind the program and Chair of our mentorship program committee, as well as the committee members—Dr. Laurence Dupuis, Dr. Sophie Galarneau, Dr. Éveline Hudon, and Dr. Marie-Claude Moore—and our program coordinator, Sophie Juignier, for their dedication and passion. We also congratulate our mentors and all those who contribute to building this outstanding mentoring community!
Post-CaRMS Networking Event for R1 and R2 residents in family medicine
Following the CaRMS Match, the CQMF is hosting three fun and festive evening gatherings in Quebec’s three main university cities. These social events are an opportunity to celebrate the work accomplished and explore new and exciting possibilities. At each of the proposed dates, family physicians will share their experiences and passion, and answer questions. Register now!
This year, the events will take place on the following dates:
- March 12, 2026—Montreal
- March 19, 2026—Sherbrooke
- March 20, 2026—Quebec
“Urgence en pratique familiale” (Family Medicine Emergency Preparedness Program) – Responding to out-of-hospital emergencies
The certified program “Urgences en pratique familiale (UPF)” (Family Medicine Emergency Preparedness Program) provides a comprehensive response to help teams react and respond effectively to emergency situations outside of a hospital setting. It provides practical tools for this purpose, including training for all team members, a thoroughly prepared tool kit, and simulations to ensure that everything is properly integrated. If you would like to organize an activity in your community, visit our website for more details.
The training includes:
- A morning CPR–AED session with certification
- An afternoon workplace emergency simulation session
Participants can earn up to seven Mainpro+® Certified Assessment Activity credits. This program is also eligible for reimbursement through the RAMQ continuing professional development fund.
Overdiagnosis and overuse: Are men or women more affected?
Dr. René Wittmer, family physician and Chair of the Scientific Committee for the “Journée CQMF 2026” (CQMF Day 2026), invites you to explore the event program.
As the closing event, Dr. Geneviève Bois and Dr. Géraldine Lachance-Fortin will engage in a debate with Dr. Samuel Boudreault and Dr. René Wittmer, moderated by science journalist Valérie Borde.
Don’t miss this lively debate on overdiagnosis and overuse in men and women at “Journée CQMF 2026” (CQMF Day 2026), on June 5, 2026, at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Sign up now!
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Deadline Approaching: Submit your nomination for the 2026 ACFP Awards
Know a colleague, learner, or clinical team who goes above and beyond? Nominate them on or before Wednesday, April 1st, for the 2026 ACFP Awards, presented annually by the Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP).
Questions? Email [email protected].
The ACFP’s Year in Review is now available
The ACFP is pleased to announce the release of its 2025 Year in Review, highlighting a year of meaningful progress, strategic growth, and continued commitment to advancing family medicine.
This year’s publication provides an overview of the ACFP’s key achievements in different areas of programming, advocacy initiatives, and its performance in the past year and how these define the College’s priorities moving forward.
Read the 2025 ACFP Year in Review.
Super Early Bird Now Open – BCCFP Awards Celebration May 8, 2026
Every day, your work creates powerful ripples of impact – strengthening patients, families, and communities across British Columbia (BC). The BCCFP Awards Celebration is an opportunity to come together and celebrate not only this year’s incredible award recipients, but the collective impact of family medicine across our province.
This is British Columbia's only event dedicated entirely to honouring family physicians and family practice residents across the province.
The Evening
We'll be celebrating the vital work of family physicians and family practice residents across the province in different categories , including BC Family Physician of the Year and the five recipients of the patient-nominated My Family Doctor Award (recipients to be announced in late March).
This evening is all about celebrating you! You’ll be welcomed with a red-carpet arrival, followed by a drinks reception with mocktails and a cash bar, a thoughtfully prepared three-course dinner, and meaningful moments of recognition throughout the evening. Join us to connect, celebrate family medicine, and create wonderful memories!
Event Details
Friday, May 8, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (PT)
Paradox Hotel, 1161 W Georgia St, Vancouver
Whether you come with colleagues, bring your partner, or attend on your own, we'd be honored to have you there.
Get your early bird ticket today!
If you're a resident or medical student, we have special pricing available – just email us at [email protected] for more information. These tickets are limited, so please reach out early!
2025–2026 Cultural Safety & Humility Grants: Meet Our Recipients
We're delighted to announce the 2025–2026 Cultural Safety and Humility Grants recipients!
Our Indigenous Health Committee, led by Indigenous Physician Lead Dr. Willow Thickson, gathered to thoughtfully review each proposal and allocate funding, and after meaningful discussion, we're excited to share the projects have been selected for funding this cycle:
- Walking Alongside: Unceded traditional territory of the Quw'utsun' people (Duncan, BC)
- Revitalizing Connection of Urban Indigenous and Western Health care Clinic to Land-based Healing Practices and Traditional Medicine Teachings: Unceded traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations (Vancouver, BC)
- Learning in Good Relation: Building Cultural Safety and the Good Relations Care Pathway at REACH: Unceded traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations (Vancouver, BC)
- "Seeing Ourselves Well": Honouring Tsleil-Waututh Cultural Knowledge & Ways of Knowing: Unceded traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations (Vancouver, BC)
- Walking Together: Indigenous Teachings for Family Physicians in Foundry Centres across British Columbia: Unceded traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations (Vancouver, BC)
- Healing Our Spaces, Honouring Our Stories: Unceded traditional territory of the Haíɫzaqv People of the Heiltsuk Territory (Bella Bella, BC)
Our deepest thanks go to everyone who submitted a proposal this year. Your dedication to cultural safety and humility in health care is inspiring, and we're grateful for the time, insight, and care that each of you brought to this process.
Advocacy Tool – The Importance of Terminology
The BCCFP has released a position statement emphasizing the importance of using accurate terminology when referring to specialist physicians trained in family medicine.
Terms such as 'primary care clinician' and 'family practitioner' do not reflect the depth of training, scope of practice, or professional identity of family physicians, and catch-all terms like 'primary care provider' convey inaccurate equivalency with other primary care professionals.
We urge all health care organizations, government bodies, and communications platforms to use 'family physician' or 'family doctor' to ensure patient clarity, professional recognition, system effectiveness, and appropriate leadership in team-based care.
Family physicians provide comprehensive, continuous care to over 70 per cent of British Columbians and play a vital, irreplaceable role in the province's health care system.
A letter template is also available as a resource for you to use in your advocacy efforts and messaging to MLAs.
