Statement - On National Indigenous Peoples Day, let's celebrate the achievements of our Indigenous physicians

OTTAWA, June 21, 2018 /CNW/ - On behalf of Canada's physician community, I join others in celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day. I take this opportunity to celebrate Indigenous physicians and their leadership on medical and health matters.

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More Indigenous physicians are achieving milestones and being recognized for their contributions to Canada and their communities. In the past few months alone:

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• Dr. Donna May Kimmaliardjuk is set to become Canada's first Inuk cardiac surgeon;
• Dr. Alika Lafontaine was appointed as chair of the CMAJ Governance Council;
• Dr. Darlene Kitty received the May Cohen Equity, Diversity, and Gender Award from the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada;
• Dr. Stanley Vollant received an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa;
• And just yesterday, Dr. Nadine Caron, Canada's first female Indigenous surgeon, was appointed to the new Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare.

These inspiring individuals represent the determination and hard work of thousands more. For National Indigenous Peoples Day, let's celebrate our diverse cultures while also recognizing that much remains to be done. We must continue to look for ways to advance reconciliation and renew our relationship with Indigenous peoples.

Dr. Laurent MarcouxCMA President

 

SOURCE Canadian Medical Association