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  • Executive Director – Huron Shores FHT (Blind River)

  • ED Mentor Resources

    AFHTO’s Executive Director mentorship program, developed in response to member requests, aims to  provide peer support for any member EDs or Administrative Leads who feel they could benefit from it. We strive to match mentors and mentees whose teams work in similar environments, taking into consideration geography, size, governance structure, academic or Francophone status, and other characteristics that reflect the diversity of our membership.

    ED Mentorship Orientation

    The mentorship program was launched in February 2016 with an orientation webinar for ED mentors, presented in partnership with the Centre for Effective Practice (CEP).

    Mentors have been matched with mentees and will be reaching out to them over the coming weeks.

    Additional Resources for ED Mentors

    The following supplemental materials are available to assist our ED mentors in fulfilling this role:

    As the program evolves, more materials will be made available.

    ED Mentorship Program Overview

    Mentoring is about supporting people to develop more effectively. It is a relationship based on trust, designed to build confidence and to help a mentee take increasing initiative. Mentoring occurs when two individuals decide to work together to achieve specific objectives for skills, growth and development. One individual has the skill, knowledge and experience that the other individual aims to acquire.  

    Benefits of AFHTO’s Executive director (ED) Mentoring Program

    Benefits to Mentors

    Benefits to Mentees
    • Being part of a solution to build capacity for leadership in primary care
    • Pleasure of giving back and passing on skills, knowledge and wisdom
    • Satisfaction of enhancing a mentee’s understanding of the FHT/NPLC workplace
    • Heightened profile within their workplace
    • Coaching practice and leadership skills
    • Heightened self-awareness
    • Access to wisdom and expertise in a confidential safe relationship
    • Opportunities for self-assessment
    • Greater understanding of current business practices
    • Introduction to business networks and related supports

    The Program So Far

    Since the launch of the mentorship program in February 2016, we have matched 15 mentor-mentee pairs. All of them have connected, and most have had a face-to-face meeting followed by ongoing email support. What we have heard from them is very encouraging and a testament to the strong leaders in our membership. Mentees overwhelmingly agree that their mentors are well-suited to support them, knowledgeable, and able to provide needed support. Mentors are telling us that their mentees are receptive and open to receiving it. Here is a sample of what the program participants are saying:

    • “My mentor is awesome, very helpful! She provides amazing support.”
    • “My mentor is very knowledgeable and easy to work with. She always makes time to answer questions and provide guidance when required.”
    • “I would suggest having a mentor work with all new EDs when they come onboard.”
    • “I can learn as much from my mentee as she can from me. Seems to be working for both of us.”

    More Information

    Follow this link to learn more about AFHTO’s mentorship program, including the ideal qualities for successful mentors and mentees.

  • Social Workers and Social Service Workers Professional Development Fund

    Ontario has launched a special two-year pilot project to provide financial assistance (up to $300 per year) for professional development activities completed by social workers and social service workers. Seminars, online courses, conferences and more are eligible for reimbursement. Training that supports the province’s priorities to care for vulnerable populations and their complex needs will be given priority. To learn more please visit the Ontario Association of Social Workers site.

  • Request for data from ICES for D2D 1.0

    The deadline for the original D2D 1.0 request is past. However you can prepare to request this data for D2D 2.0 by reviewing the permissions required below.  Please copy and paste the following text into an email after you have inserted your team’s information in the bold italics area and send it to Rick.glazier@ices.on.ca with copy to improve@afhto.ca. Prior to submitting this request, ensure that all physicians in the FHNs and FHOs in your health team are aware of the request and that none object to it.  In response to this request, ICES will forward data at the FHN, FHO and FHT level for the indicators mentioned in the request.  Individual physician data will NOT be provided through this request.  However, individual physicians can access their own data through their Primary Care Practice (PCR) Report from HQO. When they receive the data from ICES for these indicators, teams may choose to contribute the FHT level data to D2D 1.0 or just retain the data for their own internal use.  Refer to the data submission template for instructions on how to contribute FHT-level data.  Note that FHN and FHO level data cannot be submitted to D2D 1.0. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Dr Glazier, Senior Scientist and Program Lead, Primary Care and Population Health,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) Please consider this a request for data from ICES for our FHT for the following indicators: Regular primary care provider, readmissions within 30 days, cost per patient, colorectal and cervical cancer screening and SAMI score.  The specific definitions of each of the indicators are as discussed in the D2D 1.0 documents produced by AFHTO. Please provide data for the physician groups listed in the table below.  All physicians in each of the groups listed are aware of this request and none have objected to it.

    Physician payment group FHN or FHO
    [health team insert 4-digit alpha code] [health team indicate whether code refers to a FHN or a FHO]
       
       

    Please forward the data to [Medical lead]. Signed on behalf of the [health team to insert name of FHT] Executive Director [typed full name is sufficient for email – please forward scanned image of signed document to AFHTO improve@afhto.ca] Medical Lead [typed full name is sufficient for email – please forward scanned image of signed document to AFHTO: improve@afhto.ca]

  • Registered Dietitian for Clinical Diabetes Program, 1.0 FTE – Jane Finch FHT (Toronto)

    Salary: $64,573

    General Description

    The registered dietitian will plan and direct the nutritional care of diabetic clients and provide nutrition education to the staff within the Jane-Finch Family Health Team.

    The registered dietitian will manage the clinical diabetes nutrition program within the Jane-Finch Family Health Team.

    Will work collaboratively with other members of the diabetic team which includes but is not limited to Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists and Social Workers.

    Roles and Responsibilities

    Assess client nutritional status by gaining an understanding of food habits or preferences (socio-economic, psychosocial and cultural background) and clinical/biochemical profile.

    Assists clients in making healthy food choices by developing nutritional care plans incorporating all the above factors in oral and written form.

    Monitors client progress on a regular basis and provides nutritional information to allied staff and physicians, as well as provide the needed ongoing supports and evaluative outcomes.

    Assist in the management of gestational diabetics, by providing individual and more intensive care, and ensuring continuity and integration with hospital based resources as well as within the FHT peri-natal program.

    Develops or locates nutrition education resources and teaching aids.

    Provides consultation and education of center staff, acting as a resource person.

    Organize and facilitates group educational classes and other educational experiences such as ‘shop with your dietician’ alone or with other staff of the FHT as indicated.

    Reviews appropriate level of exercise and physical activity within scope of practice to enhance nutritional advice.

    If required, supervise volunteers, peer support workers and students working on nutrition projects.

    Assesses community nutrition needs: develops, implements and evaluates community-based nutrition programs for diabetes.

    Networks with local and/or regional dietitians to assist in quality improvement planning of the program.

    Completes quarterly and annual reports to the Ministry of Health based on requirements.

    Record all patient interaction in Electronic Medical record.

    Participate in studies or data gathering as requested by Executive director or physician lead.

    Complete all required documentation and reports for Ministry of Health and other agency as requested Executive director or physician lead.

    Develop and implement other programs as needed.

    Qualifications

    Education: Completion of Dietitians of Canada Accredited Undergraduate Program in Nutrition or Food Science, plus Supervised Dietitians of Canada Accredited Internship or Practicum Programs.

    Have Clinical Diabetes Educator (CDE) designation or be willing to sit exam within 6 months of taking position

    Experience: Must have experience in group facilitation, diabetes, lipid and weight management and the ability to practice independently. Two to three years of strong clinical experience is desirable.

    Degree, Licensure, and/or Certification: Must be a member in good standing with the College of Dietitians of Ontario, Dietitians of Canada and hold professional liability insurance and provide proof of such upon hiring.

    Professional Development

    a) Maintains and develops professional competence through ongoing professional development.  Fully participates in the Quality Assurance Program of College of Dieticians of Ontario. b) Stays current and aware of opportunities to implement new, evidenced- based methods of patient assessment and treatment. c) Participates in self-directed learning to ensure that his/her practice remains relevant by attending professional conferences, e-learning and journal reviews. d) Participates on interdisciplinary committees to promote professional/interpersonal development as requested. e) Participates in clinical projects/studies as required.

    Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

    Must have knowledge of:  Requirements of the College of Dietitians of Ontario, privacy legislation, Regulated Health Professional Act 1991, Scope of Practice as per The Dietetics Act 1991.

    Must have skills in:  assessment, planning, communication, evaluation, computer skills, group facilitation and expertise in developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with a broad range of individuals and organizations.

    Knowledge and proficiency in current, evidence-based methods and practices of primary care delivery, with an emphasis on health promotion and risk reduction

    Required abilities include: time management, flexibility, and ability to work independently  and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

    Previous primary care experience is desirable.

    Knowledge and experience with Chronic Disease Management strategies and the Expanded

    Chronic Care Model with respect to Diabetes is essential.

    Reports To

    Physician Lead and Executive Director of Jane-Finch FHT

    To Apply, Please FAX to: Mark Smith 1 888 734-1583

  • Citizens’ Reference Panel calls for expansion of family health teams in Ontario

    Twenty-eight Ontarians who have looked at the inner-workings of the province’s health system recommend more collaboration, integration and accountability to help ensure the sustainability of high-quality, accessible and publicly-funded health care. One of these recommendations states, “We urge the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to accelerate the expansion of integrated family health teams throughout the province.” The report, released on June 22, 2011, was commissioned by PwC (formerly called PricewaterhouseCoopers). They invited 28 randomly-selected citizens from across the province to meet over three weekends in Toronto from April-June 2011. One male and one female panel member was selected from each of the 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN) and with the age profile matching that of the population distribution of the province. This process and their discussions were facilitated by public engagement company, MASS LBP. Their recommendations can be summarized into five themes (below). Click here for links for the entire report and executive summary .

    1. Improve Accountability and Incentives. Link compensation for physicians to measurable patient outcomes and satisfaction, encourage health professionals to form interdisciplinary primary health teams, expand reporting in hospitals that measure quality and patient satisfaction.
    2. Strengthen Community Care. Requires strengthening of partnerships, mobilization of volunteers, creation of patient and community support groups, reduce cyclical funding constraints, prepare for an aging population with new resources for community services that keep people at home.
    3. Improve Access and Timeliness. Expand family health team models. Utilize nurse practitioners more widely in primary care clinics and emergency departments, and develop a centralized specialist referral system.
    4. Expedite eHealth and improve information-sharing. Communicate the importance of eHealth while addressing access and privacy issues.
    5. Step up Prevention and Promotion. Direct a share of alcohol and tobacco taxes towards health promotion. Expand nutrition and phys-ed in schools, more public education on active living, better food labeling.

  • Keep the voice for FHTs strong – Renew your AFHTO membership for 2011-12

    AFHTO’s membership year begins on April 1. Notices and registration forms were e-mailed to all FHT leaders on March 3. Why join? – click here. What are AFHTO’s plans? – click here to see the AFHTO Strategic Plan 2011-2013. What are the fees? – click here. Need a registration form? – click here. AFHTO is the only group that advocates on behalf of ALL family health teams. It is led by, representative of, and accountable to all member FHTs, and provides a focal point for FHTs to learn, share concerns and speak with a common voice. For more information, contact info@afhto.ca.

  • All FHT leaders are invited to give input on AFHTO’s future

    A web-based meeting attended by over 70 FHT leaders on February 9 indicated agreement with AFHTO’s general direction.  We would like to hear more from you about where we place our priorities and how we resource the work needed to advance them. Whether or not you participated in the web meeting, we invite all FHT leaders to complete a brief survey to give more detailed input on your association’s direction and the ways in which we can power this work through volunteer resources and sustainable infrastructure.  The link to the survey was e-mailed to all FHT leaders on February 10. If you missed the survey link, please e-mail caitlin.burgess@afhto.ca to receive it. To download a copy of the draft strategic plan, please click here To view the slides from the February 9 meeting, please click here . AFHTO works with FHTs and for FHTs as the advocate, champion, network and resource centre for this innovative model of care.  The draft strategic plan flows from the direction provided by 150 FHT leaders at the AFHTO leadership retreat held in November 2009.  It aims to take AFHTO to the next level with the goal of delivering greater value to all members. About two-thirds of the February 9 participants responded to each of the polls conducted at the meeting.  These FHT leaders told us:

    • All agreed that AFHTO’s vision, mission, principles and values continue to reflect their expectations for their association.
    • All agreed that the 10 priority initiatives proposed in the draft strategic plan reflect some or all of the key priorities their FHT holds for AFHTO.
    • Four-fifths of those who responded (about half of the group) were willing to volunteer their time to work on AFHTO projects.
    • All support AFHTO’s work. Naturally, the level of financial support that individual FHTs are able to provide is mixed. We hope to learn more from you about what is fair and affordable to enable all FHTs to become members in their association.

    We look forward to your participation in this survey.

  • AFHTO is seeking your FHT’s input for the 2011 Strategic Plan

    AFHTO works with FHTs and for FHTs as the advocate, champion, network and resource centre for this innovative model of care.   Our membership is our strength.  We need your help to determine AFHTO’s path for the next 2-3 years to ensure it captures and reflects the key priorities shared by FHTs across Ontario. As a first step, we ask you to help us learn more about how FHT leaders interact with one another and the media you use to do this.  Please take a two minute survey; e-mail caitlin.burgess@afhto.ca for the link. For the following step, in the last week of January you will receive a draft set of strategic priorities for AFHTO.  We will collect your input and feedback on these priorities over the first three weeks of February. Your responses to the survey above will help us determine the most effective ways to foster and support membership engagement. The draft strategic plan you will receive flows from the direction provided by 150 FHT leaders at the AFHTO leadership retreat fourteen months ago.  The plan aims to take AFHTO to the next level with the goal of delivering greater value to all members. AFHTO’s board is currently completing work on this draft. To help facilitate this process over the next 2-3 months, we have added to AFHTO’s staff complement.  Caitlin Burgess, who recently worked to help launch one of the Wave 5 FHTs, joins our executive director, Angie Heydon, to assist with membership communications and engagement.   We look forward to your participation! Sincerely, Dr. John McDonald AFHTO President On behalf of the AFHTO Board of Directors

  • Dr. Ruth Wilson is named one of Canada’s Top 100 women.

    Dr. Ruth Wilson, a Queens FHT family physician and AFHTO Vice President, was recently named one of Canada’s Top 100 women by the Women’s Executive Network.   The Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards recognizes the country’s highest achieving female leaders in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Dr. Wilson was chair of the Queen’s department of Family Medicine from 1991-2001. During her tenure the department established a program to send faculty to help train family doctors in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the war there, and created the Centre for Studies in Primary Care at Queen’s. In March, 2010, Dr. Wilson was one of two physicians from around the world who received the ‘5 Star Doctor’ award – the highest honour given by the World Organization of Family Doctors.  She also served as the president of the College of Family Physicians of Canada from 2007-2008.