Normally I take the month of December for reflection on the past year, but this year was different. Interestingly, I spent the majority of the year overthinking my purpose and goals and brainstorming restorative ways to help my team recover and look ahead.
Over the year, I have been humbled with personal reflections shared by friends and colleagues; their experiences and reflections helped me get through the challenges that accompanied the recovery phase of the pandemic.
The AFHTO conference is always a reminder of the exceptional efforts that our members are capable of. All work showcased through concurrent and poster presentations, along with the remarkable initiatives recognized through the Bright Lights, are only a glimpse of the work on the ground, so thank you for all the initiatives you take to help our primary care teams evolve to better serve our communities.
Examples of the impressive work included, but is not limited to redesigning roles, partnering to offer needed services, and measuring success to demonstrate effectiveness. These examples are strategies that are being leveraged to address identified gaps, while demonstrating value. Congratulations on continuously demonstrating the importance and value of primary care.
My transition from acute care to a team-based primary care environment 10 years ago was enlightening and it continues to be. Since then, I’ve been promoting team-based care as an effective model for continuous and comprehensive patient-centred care. I need to thank all team members, from administration to front line staff, for helping people see the value in team-based care through their interprofessional collaboration and leadership!
Let’s continue to demonstrate our value, so that our political decision makers can appreciate the importance of investing in team-based primary care! In addition to presenting at conferences, other opportunities to promote team-based primary care include op-eds, articles, interviews and participating in research studies.
As we continue to work through the HHR challenges, let’s remain positive through focusing on what is in our immediate control. Identifying strategies through seeking guidance and advice from our team members and OHTs can help us overcome these challenges. We are fortunate to have a strong association that continues to support us through trying times as well as our accomplishments. The advocacy, strong governance and communication shared through AFHTO is invaluable and continues to serve us well as we navigate through life’s unprecedented challenges.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the tremendous amount of work put in by the AFHTO team to support its members throughout the year. The bittersweet news of Kavita’s departure is saddening, but I am sure I speak on behalf of the membership when I commend her for her exceptional leadership and dedication to quality and integrity as she advanced the primary team-based care platform over the last seven years at AFHTO. We wish you all the best in your new venture of this next chapter!
I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Beth MacKinnon as she also has decided it is time for her to pursue a new chapter in her life. Beth has spearheaded our advocacy work by helping decision makers appreciate our primary care goals at both the provincial and federal level. Thank you for your dedication over the years, Beth. You will be missed!
Finally, I’d like to thank Raveen for contributions in the short time she has been with us. Raveen has been accepted into medical school and has decided to pursue that dream. Congratulations Raveen, we hope to see you practice in team-based care in the near future!
While I appreciate these departures are a lot to digest, we must view these as opportunities to adapt ourselves to the changes that await us. Here’s to our future. Let’s do what we do best- support one another as we navigate the road ahead.
Thank you again to you all. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and joyous Holiday Season and a most prosperous and healthy New Year! Enjoy this special time with your loved ones.
Respectfully,
Sara Dalo,
President and Board Chair
Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
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