The Learner

The Learner features information and resources for medical students and residents.

It is distributed by the New Brunswick Medical Society (NBMS) on a quarterly basis.

For more information on NBMS programs available to medical learners, please click here.

Issue #3 | 2024

 

Letter from the NBMS President, Dr. Lise Babin

Dear NBMS students and residents, 

It is a great honour to step into the role of President of the New Brunswick Medical Society for 2024-26. I am privileged to follow Dr. Paula Keating, who has been a remarkable leader, representing our members with dedication and advocating tirelessly for both our profession and our patients over the past year. Thank you, Dr. Keating, for your outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment. 

I have worked as a family physician in Dieppe, New Brunswick since 1996, while also serving as a clinical teaching professor, mentor and tutor with the Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick, Université de Sherbrooke. I was Director of the New Brunswick Francophone Family Medicine Teaching Program from 2014 to 2022. 

After growing up in Richibuctou, I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Moncton in 1990 and earned my medical degree from Laval University in 1994, before completing my residency in family medicine at the University of Sherbrooke in 1996. 

I have been active with the New Brunswick Medical Society (NBMS) for many years as a member of the Choosing Wisely New Brunswick Steering Committee, the Primary Care Access Task Force and the NBMS Executive. I joined the Board of Directors in 2018 and was nominated as President-Elect in 2023. 

As I begin my term, I plan to focus on pursuing the continued transformation of primary healthcare, negotiating the next Physician Services Master Agreement, supporting the mental, physical and emotional wellness of physicians, and retention and recruitment. I also hope to use my interest in lifestyle medicine to advocate for more preventative care programs. 

There will also, no doubt, be numerous other health-care priorities that emerge over the next year and a half. I am eager to engage with each of you and gather your feedback to ensure we appropriately address medical student and resident concerns. I also look forward to working with NBMS staff, government, and other stakeholders as we work to reimagine the health system to better meet the needs of physicians and patients. 

If I can offer my advice to medical students and residents, it would be to take care of yourself during this challenging phase of your career: exercise regularly, eat properly and get good sleep. In order to be able to take care of others, you need to take care of yourself first.  

Regards, 

Dr. Lise Babin
President
New Brunswick Medical Society 

(back to top)

 

Ambassador Program 2024

I had the opportunity to attend the recent NBMS AGM as part of the Ambassador program, and it was truly a valuable experience! One of the most important aspects of the weekend was seeing how decisions are made at the NBMS level. Learning about the structure of the organization and witnessing advocacy in action was inspiring. I realized how essential it is to be engaged and proactive in making changes within our province. 

We were also privileged to hear from Dr. Jane Philpott, our guest speaker, who shared her insights on the future of primary care in Canada. Her vision of primary care access for all is compelling, and she demonstrated that it is achievable. The concept of a primary care home emphasizes comprehensive, continuous care for patients, which aligns with my values as a future physician. This motivates me to contribute to the efforts toward this goal. The potential impact of this vision for Canadians fills me with hope.  

Connecting with medical students from various schools was an added bonus. It was refreshing to meet peers who share similar interests and aspirations while exploring the nuances of our healthcare system. 

Overall, I left the weekend feeling more connected, informed, and inspired to make a difference in healthcare in New Brunswick. A big thank you to the NBMS for supporting students like me in attending this event! 

Julia Bent, DMNB Class of 2026

(back to top)

 

DMNB Progressive Dinner

The incoming Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick Class of 2028 recently met each other for the first time on August 22nd, ahead of their first year of medicine! The event, known as Progressive Dinner, marks the first day of Orientation Week, organized by second year medical students, Eleanor Duffley, Matt Douglas and Siyum Mohiuddin. Progressive Dinner begins with small groups of 4-5 first-year students going to the homes of second-year students, where several second-year students are preparing dinner for everyone. This gives the first-year students the opportunity to meet a few of their classmates in a casual environment, as well as letting them make connections with their upper-class peers. The students then all progress to Wasted Day Brewing, where they get a chance to mingle with the entire class of 40 students! 

Once everyone arrived at Wasted Day Brewing, the night began with welcoming and congratulating the first-year students on their acceptance into Dalhousie Medicine. This was a chance to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that the students have put into their applications and generate excitement for the beginning of their medical school journey. As the night continued, there were team-based activities and trivia hosted by the second-year students, allowing the first-year students to get to know their fellow future colleagues better. This first event kicked off a successful Orientation Week and started the Class of 2028’s medical school experience on a positive note.

Matt Douglas, DMNB Class of 2028

 

 

 

 

(back to top)

 

CFMNB AGEMUS Hosts Student AGM in Moncton

AGEMUS-Moncton hosted the Canadian Federation of Medical Students’ Annual General Meeting this Fall in Moncton. Congratulations to all the CFMNB students who participated and made this event a success. It was a great opportunity to network with fellow medical students from across Canada!

Clément DeGrâce, CFMNB class of 2027

(back to top)

 

NBMS Implements New Practice Support Program

In an effort to assist physicians in providing New Brunswickers with the highest standard of health-care services while achieving maximum professional satisfaction and economic reward, regardless of area of specialty, practice style or renumeration model, the NBMS has established the Practice Support Team.   

The team consists of uniquely talented and experienced members committed to collaborating with physicians and clinic staff to enhance organizational effectiveness, organizational change, and operational efficiency.   Envisioned as a one-stop shop for physicians and their clinics, this new team is leading the development, implementation, and ongoing delivery of a series of programs and initiatives designed to optimize the way in which physicians practice. These include enhancing the use of health technologies, effectively managing patient panels, eliminating time-wasting tasks and providing general business support for all types of practices, at all stages of the physician’s career.   

If you would like to learn more about the Practice Support program, please contact Practice Support at practicesupport@nbms.nb.ca.    

Jennifer Scott Harris, Practice Facilitator

(back to top)

 

Dalhousie Black Medical Students’ Association Welcome Dinner

The Dalhousie Black Medical Students’ Association (Dal BMSA) Welcome Dinner was a remarkable evening that brought together black medical students (from all classes) for a night of connection and meaningful conversations. The dinner was proudly supported and funded by the New Brunswick Medical Society. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and camaraderie as attendees openly shared their personal frustrations, discussed effective learning strategies, and explored available support systems through the BMSA and Dalhousie Medical Students’ Society at large. The path of medicine can present unique challenges, especially regarding race and the pursuit of success in such a demanding field. Thus, peer support is incredibly important in navigating the challenges that arise during this rewarding journey. The dinner provided a safe space for everyone to relax, be themselves, and foster a sense of belonging. This event cultivated new friendships, sparked insightful discussions, and renewed our sense of community in ourselves as black people and with allies; reminding us that we are not alone on this journey. It was a truly memorable and empowering experience! We look forward to increasing awareness and growing our community of Black medical students and Allies.

Thanks to the NBMS for helping make this possible! 

Joelynn Annoh-Kwafo, DMNB Class of 2027
Co-President, Black Medical Students’ Association

(back to top)

 

MD Financial 

*Illustrated example assumes 6% annual growth, compounded monthly.

It’s never too early to start investing, even if your financial goal is a long way off. A pre-authorized contribution (PAC) plan can help you invest early and invest often, so you get the most of compound interest.  

You can set up a PAC to direct funds from your chequing or savings account into your investment account on a regular schedule. You decide on the dollar amount and the frequency — weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc. 

There is no time like the present to start investing in your future. Open a new MD Management Limited investment account and we’ll give you up to $500.  

Learn more: http://spr.ly/6189YYBu7 

 

 

(back to top)

 

For more information, please contact Jennifer Scott Harris, Practice Facilitator – Student & Resident Engagement, at jscottharris@nbms.nb.ca or (506) 871-8904.