This article originally appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of the Ontario Medical Review magazine.
Stops in six Ontario communities prompt discussions on the OMA’s health-care recommendations
OMA President Dr. Rose Zacharias and OMA leaders continue to meet with physicians and health-care stakeholders during the 2023 membership tour.
Visiting members in six communities, the OMA has made stops in Hamilton, Orillia, Ottawa, Scarborough and Sudbury. Additional stops remain in London on April 25 and 26.
“These important conversations and connections with my fellow physicians are significant,” Dr. Zacharias said. “As doctors, we are trusted to have knowledge and compassion and I am proud of my physician peers. We know what needs to be done differently at a systems level and decision-makers listen to us. It has been a privilege and responsibility to carry this message forward.”
To date, the tour has made stops at local family health teams and a hospital ambulatory surgical centre, while meetings with various specialties and discussions with medical schools have taken place. Additional meetings have been held with local politicians and members of the media, which created opportunities to further emphasize the OMA’s recommendations for health care.
A key priority during the tour has been to hear members’ input on updating the OMA’s Prescription for Ontario: Doctors’ 5-Point Plan for Better Health Care, to advance health-system improvements.
“This tour has allowed me to learn so much more about the unique challenges members are facing in their practices but also to celebrate all of their successes locally,” Dr. Rose Zacharias said.