Workshop 2009

The Rural Ontario Medical Program hosted the 9th Annual Spring Workshop at Hockley Valley Resort on March 25th and 26th, 2009. After spending two consecutive years in Collingwood, the workshop was relocated to experience another beautiful location within the ROMP region. The weather was cool and damp, but the resort's beauty shone through with gorgeous conference rooms and excellent accommodations.

"I think the whole event was great!! Very informative and very well organized"

- 2009 workshop attendee, via evaluation

The workshop theme, "New Beginnings", was chosen to emphasize the many changes that have occurred over the year in health care, health

care education and ROMP. Typically, the ROMP Spring Workshop has been a three day event where physicians, education coordinators and recruitment and retention officers each attend a day of sessions geared specifically towards their profession. This year, as a result of the changes made to the Community Development Office Program, the Spring Workshop was reformatted to a two day event with discussions on health care education for community physicians, Education Coordinators and University Coordinators. This year's workshop was well attended, with 49 physicians and Education Coordinators attending the Faculty Development Day, and 50 Education Coordinators, University Coordinators and preceptors.

The Annual Awards Dinner was preceded by an opportunity

for social networking over cocktails and was followed by an informative wine tasting session. Registrants of both days along with their spouses were inviting to dinner, creating a total of attendees at the delightful meal. Once desert had been served, Dr. Brian Goldman, host of CBC's White Coat Black Art radio show, began a humorous and insightful talk as the Workshop's keynote speaker. Dr. Goldman outlined the concept of "Queue Jumping" within health care using voice clips of testimonies given by different health care workers from across the country discussing the idea and prevalence of granting priority access to treatment based on status, money and 'who you know'. Dr. Goldman's presentation was very highly praised and a pleasure to hear.

Following his address, Dr. Wells, ROMP Executive Director, began the Awards Ceremony by presenting preceptor plaques to several preceptors. The Education Coordinator of the Year award was presented to Barb van der Veen from Penetanguishene; the University Coordinator of the Year award was presented to Darquise Lacroix, who works in the Undergraduate Electives Office at the University of Ottawa. This year's Larkin Health Professional Education Award was presented to Bea Kenny of Port Colborne in recognition of her outstanding treatment of the medical students who arrive in Port Colborne for their rotations.

The Orillia Pediatric Teaching Associates, including: Dr. Sarah Barker, Dr. Michelle Gordon, Dr. Alan Hudak, Dr. Robert Meeder and Dr. Gary Smith

Obstetrical Group Practice of Newmarket, including: Dr. David Rouselle, Dr. Anne Walsh and Dr. Peter Watt

Overall, the workshop was a great success! The hard work involved with planning the sessions, organizing the speakers and preparing the workshop material was obvious and as a result, the entire event ran smoothly. Next year's workshop will relocate again to be surrounded by the beauty of yet another community within the ROMP region. We look forward to seeing you there!