Online dues payment now available! Pay your dues now.

President’s Message

JAMES CHEN, MSACW PRESIDENT

Sadly, this is no longer the picture on my ID card—the current Lower Mainland folks rejected it (I’m not sure why!). But it’s how I look when I worry about succession planning for the MSA Board come December, knowing that there will be at least one vacancy to fill.

I’ll be stepping down as President at that point, as the role of President is limited to three consecutive terms. I will then become the immediate Past President. Of course, there are the other most excellent members of the board who I hope/know will be happy to step into new roles—but again, there will be at least one vacancy to fill! So please consider running for a spot on the MSA Board. Yes, the decision is six months away, but it’s never too soon to start laying the groundwork for the future.

On a different note, one of the goals I’ve wanted to achieve as MSA President is to foster a greater atmosphere of collegiality and connection amongst the MSA members. The Engagement Lunches have provided a venue where, once a month, people from all across the campus can mingle and chat with other MSA members they may not see on a regular basis. I’d love to see that atmosphere expand to include more chance encounters! So the next time you’re in the MSA Lounge and you see someone you don’t recognize, take a moment to introduce yourself and get to know the other person, however briefly. If everyone does this, the next time you see that person, perhaps a small nod of recognition or friendly wave will brighten everyone’s day—or potentially lead to academic collaboration! Who knows?

To further that goal, we’re starting a new regular section of the MSA Monitor: the Frontline Faculty Focus! Every issue, several MSA members will be featured, with a few interesting tidbits about themselves that might serve as conversation starters the next time you see them. Feel free to reach out to us if you’d like to be featured; otherwise, we’ll just randomly draw names from hats!

If you have questions, I’m always happy to chat. Email me at jchen2@cw.bc.ca anytime.

Committee Updates

MSACW members can participate in a number of exciting committees that cover a variety of topics. Learn more about our committees or email engagement@msacw.ca to join.

Wellness Committee

Professional Headshot Week

LI WANG

We are thrilled to announce an opportunity for all members: Professional Headshot week! Whether you need an updated headshot for your LinkedIn profile, research website, or personal bio, this is your chance to have a high-quality photo taken by a professional photographer.

To accommodate the busy schedules of our medical staff, we are offering photo sessions twice a day from noon to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. during the last week of June. A photo studio will be set up in the MSACW Lounge.

Event Details:
Date: June 24 to June 27, 2024 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Time: Noon to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Medical Staff Lounge, Room 2B.44, BC Children’s Hospital

MASES Projects Committee

MASES Engagement Projects Underway and Second Call for Projects!

Last week, the Facility Engagement Project Committee held its first meeting this year and gave approvals or conditional approvals to five projects submitted by MSA members. As a reminder, we will be accepting project funding applications on a rolling basis, with the next deadline for new applications being July 5, 2024. Projects must align with the Facility Engagement Initiative Funding Guidelines and the Strategic Vision of MASES.

The maximum allotted amount per project will be $10,000, with an option to increase funding based on project progress and committee approval. The scope of work end date is March 31, 2025. Projects that have already begun and will continue past this end date can be considered. However, we ask that your application outlines only the work and budget that will take place within this MASES Fiscal Year (ending March 2025). Please also note that Doctors of BC funding has a strict 90-day claim policy on all claims, meaning that expenses and claims for projects must be submitted onto the FEMS reimbursement platform within 90 days of when the activity occurred.

More information and the project application form can be found here: https://msacw.ca/mases-projects/apply-for-a-project/.

If you have any questions, please contact projects@msacw.ca.

FEMS Corner

Doctors of BC 90-day Claim Policy

A gentle reminder of the Doctors of BC 90-day rule for claim submissions in the FEMS system. Any claims/expenses/sessional claim submissions falling outside of that period cannot be submitted for reimbursement. For example, if a project activity/meeting/meal expense occurred on April 1, 2024, you have until June 30, 2024 to submit on FEMS, otherwise Doctors of BC blocks our team from being able to process and approve the claim.

Frontline Faculty Focus

Welcome to “Frontline Faculty Focus”, our new section in the MSACW Monitor where we’ll briefly profile members of the MSA, including a few words about themselves.

If you see one of the members below in the hallway or MSA lounge, please say hi and have a chat! If you’d like to get your mug into the newsletter, please send us an email at engagement@msacw.ca.

Kathleen Duddy

Kathleen Duddy

Nurse Practitioner, Acute Pain Service
Department of Nurse Practitioners, Department of Pediatric Anesthesia

How long have you been at C&W?
9.5 years. Joined the Biochemical Disease Clinic in January 2015 and transitioned to the Acute Pain Service June 2020.

Tell us about a satisfying moment at work you’ve had recently.
Recently I was asked by a patient to see them during their oncology follow up clinic. They are doing so well, we played ball in the hallway while Mum spoke with the team. It’s these miracles and good days that keep me motivated through the more difficult cases and times.

What’s a work frustration you wish you could solve with a snap of a finger?
At times we forget what it’s like to be a learner or new to practice.

What’s a secret skill you have that most people don’t know?
Calligraphy

Any hobbies you’d care to share?
Rowing has been my sport on and off over the years. Last year I started the ranks to Umpire races. This summer and autumn will be busy and hopefully dry.

Favourite trip in the past couple of years?
London last June, meeting up with a childhood friend who now lives in London (an A&E nurse). I was there for Coronation celebrations and the atmosphere was spectacular.

David Goldfarb

Associate Department Head, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Division of Microbiology, Virology and Infection Control and Division of Infectious Diseases
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Department of Pediatrics

How long have you been at C&W?
I arrived in Feb 2015.

Tell us about a satisfying moment at work you’ve had recently.
Worked with clinical partners in the ED to evaluate and implement rapid Group A Strep PCR testing.

What’s a work frustration you wish you could solve with a snap of a finger?
Making changes to CST powerplans.

What’s a secret skill you have that most people don’t know?
I’m able to use a dichotomous tree key, at least for East Coast trees (I started my post-secondary education in Forestry).

Any hobbies you’d care to share?
Amateur herpetology (i.e. “herping”). Editor’s note: Herping is the act of searching for wild amphibians and reptiles out in nature!

Favorite trip in the past couple of years?
Tucson, Arizona! See question five above for reason; there are so few reptiles in BC… ☹

Kathleen Duddy

Julie van Schalkwyk

Department Head
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, BC Women’s Hospital

How long have you been at C&W?
I have been on staff at BCWH since 2005 and began as a resident in 2000.

Tell us about a satisfying moment at work you’ve had recently.
Seeing the hiring and integration of Associate Physicians to our Department in 2024.

What’s a work frustration you wish you could solve with a snap of a finger?
I wish our department had 24 full-time OBGYNs on staff with a robust APP agreement in place.

What’s a secret skill you have that most people don’t know?
I know all the words to every U2 song!

Any hobbies you’d care to share?
I love to run and cook in my spare time.

Favorite trip in the past couple of years?
My favourite trip in the last year was to Denmark and Sweden to explore and watch my daughter play soccer.

Neil Chadha

Division Head and Fellowship Director
Pediatric Otolaryngology (ENT)
Department of Surgery

How long have you been at C&W?
14 years this summer.

Tell us about a satisfying moment at work recently.
Recently, a child who had routine surgery made me a painting at school to say thank you, and it was particularly touching that her parents didn’t know until she brought it home.

What’s a work frustration you wish you could solve with a snap of a finger?
No longer would our institution use the terminology that “there’s no beds”. If the real issue is there are not enough nurses, we should be open about this so the public knows the truth, and there is ultimately then pressure on politicians to help solve this (increased pay, better work conditions, etc).

What’s a secret skill you have that most people don’t know?
I have rock-climbed the Stawamus Chief twice. I tend to be a bit of a thrill-seeker.

Any hobbies you’d care to share?
Playing soccer, woodworking, running, walking our mini poodle Tara.

Favorite trip in the past couple of years?
A wonderful cycling trip with the family in Alsace; or, taking my son to Old Trafford for his first Manchester United match.

Kathleen Duddy

Thanks to Kathleen, David, Julie, and Neil for taking part in our first ever
Frontline Faculty Focus!

REMINDER

MSA Membership Means Paying Your Dues

Dues for 2024 are now due!

Upcoming Events

Headshot Days

Join us from June 24th to June 27th for headshot days! Please select a time at the link below.

Register now!

Engagement Breakfast

Join us on Thursday, June 27th, at 8:00 a.m. for a special Engagement Breakfast.

Upcoming Monthly Engagement Lunch Dates

July 23rd
August 27th
September 25th
October 31st
November 26th
December 18th

SAVE THE DATE

Female Physician’s Leadership Group invites you to a “Family Social Evening” on September 12th, 2024! Details to follow soon.

Food Trucks on Campus in June

FROM THE C&W OPS UPDATE

Wednesday, June 19: Boteco Brasil BR

Friday, June 21: Chickpea Food Truck

Monday, June 24: Japadog

Wednesday, June 26: Ay! Mamacita

Friday, June 28: Eat Patso

Reserved Parking on Campus: What’s Available and When?

There’s sometimes confusion about who is eligible for what “reserved” parking spaces on campus, and where they are. After some inquiries, we received this nice little chart of available reserved parking on campus, kindly provided by Parking Services.

Children’s and Women’s Hospital Reserved Parking

Location

Signage

Stall Range

Restrictions

ePermit

1982 Underground Reserved Authorized Medical Staff Only | Valid ePermit Required 1256 – 1272 (17) & 1679 – 1694 (16) 24/7 Active BC Children’s & Women’s Physician ePermit
TACC Surface Reserved Physician On-Call Parking 2125-2128 (4) 24/7 Active BC Children’s & Women’s Physician ePermit
* Temporary stalls – reviewing with site leadership
TACC Underground Reserved Emergency Physicians Only | Valid ePermit Required 2161-2165 (5) 24/7 Any active ePermit and listed on “authorized user” list in Offstreet.
Connect with Christine Tou for eligibility.
Entrance #97 Reserved On-Call Medical Staff | Valid ePermit Required | Maximum 4 Hours 160-167 (8) Max. 4 hours Any active ePermit
Any active ePermit Reserved On-Call Medical Staff | Valid ePermit Required | Maximum 4 Hours 169-177 (9) Max. 4 hours Any active ePermit

Notes:

  • Parking is on a first come first serve basis.
  • Physicians with an active BC Children’s & Women’s Physician ePermit can park in any available non-reserved staff stall. If all staff stalls are occupied, park in any available patient/visitor stall.
  • The Daily Pay Staff ePermit is permitted in any available non-reserved staff stall. Not permitted in physician stalls.

JOKE OF THE DAY

An Emergency doc walks into the ED for their shift, and they notice that the department is completely flooded with patients experiencing GI symptoms. The staff is stressed out, ringing phones are going unanswered, nurses and aides and cleaners running to and fro with buckets and mops everywhere. The doc pulls a nurse aside and asks what’s going on.

“All these people ate a batch of bacon that expired on June 1st and now they’ve got gastroenteritis symptoms!”

Shaking their head, the doc mutters “Clearly, this is mayham!”

The MSACW Monitor is published six times a year by the MSACW Executive. Please direct all feedback, questions, and contributions to jchen2@cw.bc.ca.