Report January – March 2024

As a member of the Department of Global Communication, FMWC held its first CSW virtual event on March 12 2024. Co-chaired by FMWC President Dr. Kimberly Williams and FMWC resident representative, Dr. Maria Leis, the event was entitled: Learning to Advocate for Ourselves, Our Communities and into the Future: Tips from Female Physicians. The speakers were Dr. Mamta Gautam, Dr. Simone Lebeuf, Dr. Ojistoh Horn, all from the FMWC and Dr. Eliza Chin from AMWA and Dr. Madupe Tunde-Byass from Black Physicians of Canada.

The FMWC also sent a delegation to New York to attend CSW. There was excellent networking and attendance at many CSW events. The Canadian embassy held a reception, allowing for many Canadian NGOs to get to meet each other as well as the government officials.

The long-awaited 100th anniversary meeting of FMWC is ready for registration. We welcome all international MWIA members at the member rate. There is an early-bird discount until June 30th. Please visit fmwc2024.com. The title is Catalysts for Change: Celebrating 100 Years of Medical Women in Canada. The dates are September 27-28, 2024, at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. There will be a reception at the Rideau Club the evening before.

A beautiful scarf designed by Dr. Janet Dollin has won the scarf competition and is available for purchase.

FMWC is meeting to develop a white paper on the use of RSV vaccine for pregnant women. This is an important public health measure and worthy of our advocacy to make the vaccine accessible to all pregnant women.

Dr Shelley Ross, NC