Message from the Department Head

An amazing week or two in family practice at UBC. Three TLEF grants that I know about have been granted to Gurdeep Parhar, Christie Newton and Diana Dawes.  Together they have gained nearly $200,000 of funding which is tremendous. At the same time there as been announcement from CIHR for nearly 31 million dollars of funding for primary care research over the next five years (The Transformative Community-based Primary Healthcare Initiative).

There are several groups now developing their letters of intent for this new funding. It is the largest offer of research funding in primary care in Canada and really marks a sea change in the approach of the Federal Government regarding research.

We are anticipating the CARMS match following all the interviews. We are also expecting a report in April about developing a strategic plan for expansion of the postgraduate program. We have been asked to increase both International Medical Graduates and Canadian graduates over the next four years and are approaching potential training sites across the province. The undergraduate curriculum is being renewed with family practice involvement in many of the sub committees.

The first annual Research Skills Workshop is being hosted by the Department of Family Practice Research Office and there are a few places left.

The two-day event will be held at the University Golf Club, 5185 University Boulevard, Vancouver on March 3 and 4, 2012. The event features keynote speakers, Dr. Dee Mangin (New Zealand) and Dr. David Kuhl (UBC, Family Practice) and an interactive primary care network panel discussion. It will be an excellent opportunity to attend research skills building workshops, meet potential collaboratorsand network with colleagues who share your scholarly interests. Immediately after the last workshop on Saturday, March 3^rd, there will be a cocktail and networking reception followed by dinner.

The workshop is free to all members of the UBC Department of Family Practice (faculty, research staff, Clinician Scholars, and residents).
Martin Dawes