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Dear friends and colleagues,

I would like to start by welcoming you into this new academic year. As the weather slowly becomes cooler, the change of seasons acts as a reminder of the opportunities and challenges for the coming year.

Perhaps, it is only fitting to start this message by quoting the first line of A Tale of Two Cities, famous novel written by Charles Dickens: 鈥�It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.鈥�

The past four years have not been easy, with many rapid changes, imposed without consultation; pushing productivity at the detriment of quality.

Nevertheless, our Department, through the work and drive of our teachers, clinicians, researchers, residents and students, continues to grow and celebrate significant accomplishments. Indeed, we have adapted ourselves to the changing conditions, not by choosing quantity over quality, but by prioritizing the quality of our programs.

Departmental events organized in the last few months, all united with the common objective of improving primary care can surely testify to the vitality of our work:

• Over 80 medical students along with teachers and residents at The Family Medicine Student Interest Group (FMSIG) Gala;
• Over 100 grad students and faculty members at the Family Medicine Research Division and Graduate Student Society Symposium;
• An overflowing crowd of 120 people for the Hirsh Rosenfeld Public Lecture;
• Over 250 residents, faculty and family members for the Isaac Tannenbaum Resident Research Day.

Undeniably, our Department continues to thrive with its multitude of programs:

• Undergrad teaching throughout the 4 years;
• Our postgrad residency program with over 225 residents (and a quite successful 2017-2018 CARMS residency match);
• Our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program with 500 physicians registered for the Annual Refresher Course;
• Our Research and Graduate Studies programs with close to 100 MSc, PhD and post docs;
• Our Global Health programs with projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America;
• Our International Family Medicine Training Programs in China and Brazil.

The progress is not over. This coming fall, we will also be launching two major strategic initiatives.

Close to 130 of our clinical teachers in our seven Family Medicine Units (GMF-U) have registered for the innovative 捆绑SM社区 Family Medicine Faculty Development curriculum.

Developed by Dr. Audrey Juras and the Department Faculty Development committee, and supported by our 捆绑SM社区 Family Medicine Innovations in Learning (FMIL), the 10-month curriculum, delivered as a distance/blended learning program available in English and in French will begin in September. I should add that FMIL has been supporting educational innovation in all of our teaching programs.

Additionally, we are also launching the Department Quality Improvement (QI) Program, developed by Dr. Nebojsa Kovacina, with the support of Dr. Isabelle Vedel. The Department QI program will stimulate and support projects prioritized by our GMF-U teams, based on local needs. It will also provide resources in terms of methodology, teaching tools, training opportunities, data extraction, and facilitation of collective learning.

More than forty years ago, we began as a small teaching program with units based in several 捆绑SM社区 Montreal hospitals. From those modest, yet pioneering days, our Department has progressed to become one of the biggest and most respected departments in the Faculty of Medicine.

By choosing the path less traveled, we have been able to establish ourselves as a leading academic voice for primary care in Quebec, in Canada and around the world. Our Department鈥檚 motto, 鈥淎cademic excellence and innovation in care, teaching and research鈥� is well justified.

May this incoming academic year and the ones to come be 鈥榯he best of times鈥�!

Dr. Howard Bergman
Chair, Department of Family Medicine, 捆绑SM社区