FMF 2024 Keynote Speakers
Wednesday, November 6th – Ian McWhinney Keynote Address
Dr. Danièle Behn Smith
Dr. Danièle Behn Smith, Eh Cho Dene and Metis, will help participants disrupt the status quo in her Ian McWhinney Keynote Address “Unlearning and Undoing Systemic White Supremacy and Indigenous-specific Racism in Settler Health Care Teams.” The keynote aims to advance true reconciliation.
Dr. Danièle Behn Smith is Métis from the Red River Valley and Eh Cho Dene from Fort Nelson First Nation. She has the honour and privilege of working as British Columbia’s Deputy Provincial Health Officer, Indigenous Health. She works alongside Dr. Bonnie Henry and other team members at the Office of the Provincial Health Officer to uphold the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples, unlearn and undo systemic white supremacy and racism, and advance truth and reconciliation.
Thursday, November 7th – Family Medicine’s Cross-Country Hiccup
Dr. David Price
Dr. David Price will deliver an informative session during which participants can learn how to influence people to bring about change to the primary care system in his keynote session “Family Medicine’s Cross-Country Hiccup: How family medicine/primary care lost its mojo and the journey to get it back.”
Dr. David Price is the founding dean for Simon Fraser University (SFU)’s new School of Medicine, a professor and the former chair of the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University, and the previous chief of the Department of Family Medicine at Hamilton Health Sciences. A proud University of British Columbia medical school graduate, he is from the era of rotating internships (Queen Elizabeth Health Complex, Montreal). For most of his career he has practised comprehensive family medicine—from obstetrics to palliative care. He was instrumental in creating the McMaster Family Health Team, an interprofessional team that serves over 45,000 patients across two teaching sites.
Dr. Price also has extensive experience working with governments, universities, and other organizations from across the country as both an advisor and consultant.
Dr Price will also receive the TD Spotlight of Achievement award at the conclusion of his session.
His current roles do not give him nearly enough time to enjoy outdoor activities such as sailing, golf, and hiking with his wife and three adult children!
Friday, November 8th - Reality and Hope: Polarities or Pals
Dr. Constance LeBlanc
Dr. Constance LeBlanc will discuss our health care system crisis. As frontline physicians, we strive to care for our patients and our communities. We do this work in a system that is egregiously failing us. Is hope impossible in a system so broke? Is the only answer to endure or get out? Participants are invited to explore the facts and clinical realities and the challenges we are facing, while acknowledging the magnitude of change required to provide the care we deserve and need. Together we will explore the notion of critical hope that can allow a path forward.
Dr. Constance LeBlanc is a professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and cross-appointed to the Department of Family Medicine at Dalhousie University. She holds a master of arts in education in curriculum studies, with a focus on the hidden curriculum, and an executive MBA in business and technology. She also holds a Canadian Certified Inclusion Professional™ certification.
Dr. LeBlanc has a mixed-race family and was the first woman emergency physician at the Charles V. Keating Emergency and Trauma Centre in Halifax. Dr. LeBlanc continues to enjoy clinical practice after more than 35 years. She serves as mentor and supports learners at all levels and is actively engaged in Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility (EDIA) scholarship.
She was recognized for her work as the recipient of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) Emergency Physician of the Year in 2019 and CAEP President’s Award in 2022. Dr. LeBlanc serves on the board of directors of CAEP and the International Federation of Emergency Medicine and is Vice-President of the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders. Since July 2023, she has served as President and CEO of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC).