Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS OF ONTARIO TO HOLD IMPORTANT CONFERENCE,

“NEGOTIATING OUR FUTURE: FAMILY PHYSICIANS AT THE CROSSROADS”

(January 17, Toronto, Ontario) – Dr. Douglas Mark, President of the Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario, is pleased to announce that the Coalition will be hosting an important one-day conference for family physicians on Saturday, February 22, 2003. Entitled “Negotiating our Future: Family Physicians at the Crossroads,” the conference will examine a number of issues of importance to family physicians such as primary care reform, the Medical Review Committee, and the upcoming provincial election. Key note speakers include Canada’s leading futurist Richard Worzel of Futuresearch, who will take a look at what our health-care system will be like if there are no more family doctors, and Canadian Auto Workers National President Basil “Buzz” Hargrove, who will talk about how family physicians can influence the next round of fee-for-service negotiations between the Ontario Medical Association and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Joining Worzel and Hargrove at the conference will be health law advocate Lonny J. Rosen of Tremayne-Lloyd Partners LLP, who will provide a progress report on the Medical Review Committee, and Stephen Skyvington, Vice-President of PoliTrain Inc., who will discuss the various ways family physicians can play a role in the upcoming provincial election.

Date:        Saturday, February 22, 2003

Time:        8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Location:   Inn on the Park, Centennial Ballroom, 1100 Eglinton Avenue East at Leslie Street, Toronto

Programme

08:45   Opening Remarks

           Dr. Douglas Mark

09:00   FutureTense: What Will Health Care Be Like Without a Family Doctor?

             Richard Worzel, Futuresearch

09:45   The OMA and the Coalition: Is This Province Big Enough for the Two of Us?

Drs. Douglas Mark & Tom Weinberger

10:45   Are We in Handcuffs? An Overview of Legislation Affecting Family Physicians

             Drs. Michael Goodwin & John Tracey

11:15   What’s the Big Deal? A Prescription for the Next Round of Fee-for-Service Negotiations

           Basil “Buzz” Hargrove, Canadian Auto Workers

12:00   Lunch & Exhibit Viewing

13:30   Primary Care Reform vs. Family Practice Enhancement: Making the Right Choice

           Drs. Douglas Mark, Suzanne Strasberg & Allan Studniberg

14:15   Reviewing the Medical Review Committee: A Progress Report

           Lonny J. Rosen LLB, Tremayne-Lloyd Partners

15:15   Taking the Bull by the Horns: How to Make a Difference in the Next Provincial Election

           Dr. Chris Pinto & Stephen Skyvington, PoliTrain Inc.

16:00   Closing Remarks

           Dr. Douglas Mark