August 29, 2014

Colleagues,

Well, the long weekend is almost upon us, and another academic year in our college has already begun.  As I said to our newest members of the college community during orientation a few weeks ago, I’m excited to welcome them all here as they formally begin their medical education. It’s also nice to have more new faces around the college, but I guess that means I’m not the new kid anymore.

As I had hoped, the summer months were a wonderful opportunity for me to get to know many of you, and to travel across the province.  Jane, Murphy and I enjoyed our first camping experience in Waskesui. We also spent a few days exploring Saskatchewan’s beauty in Cypress Hills.  Next time, I’ll remember to take more pictures!

My discovery of Saskatchewan and what we as a College can do to enhance our province continued when I returned to work. I want to thank Veronica McKinney and her team at Northern Medical Services and the leaders and staff of the health regions for their warm welcome to our northern communities.  In La Ronge, I was very pleased to encounter happy and enthusiastic students and residents in a great clinical setting.  My visit to Stony Rapids yesterday provided me with a deeper understanding about the unique and difficult challenges in the north as well as see a superb health care facility with a beautiful view of the rapids. Earlier in the summer, Dr. Volker Rhinisland was kind enough to share the Moose Jaw site with me, and I look forward to formally launching the Family Medicine Training Program on September 22.

As we all move into September, I hope you will join me as we continue to work together to tackle our challenges and move our College of Medicine forward.  My door is open, so please be in touch.

Sincerely,
Preston