The Dean responds

Issue: BCMJ, vol. 51, No. 3, April 2009, Page 105 Letters
By: Gavin Stuart, MD, Dean, UBC Faculty of Medicine,

The Faculty of Medicine, now numbering 3600 people across the pro­vince, includes those who are appointed as clinical faculty members and who contribute significantly to the academic strength of UBC’s reputation nationally and internationally. The value of this contribution is extraordinary and is an integral part of the teaching and research programs that are conducted within the Faculty.

I believe that all of us are engaged in the health system with a primary view of improving the health of our population and our patients. The suggestion that the Faculty “owns” any of our colleagues I find both most disrespectful and inaccurate.

When it comes to contracts regarding clinical faculty appointments, although it is not yet a perfect process, I am very pleased with the progress that has been made in the development of the recent contract letter provided to those with clinical faculty appointments. This positive impression has been reflected in earlier correspondence in this Journal from myself and Dr William Mackie, President, BCMA. The contract was developed after much active discussion with the Clinical Faculty Affairs Committee within the Faculty of Medicine, comprised of our clinical faculty colleagues, together with the Clinical Teaching Subcommittee of the BCMA, UBC Liaison Committee. Also key to these discussions was the extensive input of the office of legal affairs for both BCMA and USC. A significant majority of our colleagues have seen the positive ad­vance in this contract and have signed this, allowing all of us to move forward with positive energy to address other matters facing the health care system and our patients in our province.

It is regrettable that uninformed opinions continue to propagate rumors that suggest that UBC is coercing practitioners to engage in the academic enterprise by limiting hospital privileges. This is plainly inaccurate. Indeed, the Faculty of Medicine does not re­quire that hospital privileges are linked to a faculty appointment. It is fully appreciated that some of our colleagues in the province will choose not to engage directly and others will welcome the opportunity. As long as misinformed opinions are being expressed, rumors will continue, which surely does not serve students or potential teachers.

We are all most grateful for the continued contribution of teaching and research by clinical faculty members. Their commitments of time and energy are a critical component of improving the health of our population by increasing the number of practitioners and generating knowledge. We look forward to their continued collective success.

—Gavin C.E. Stuart, MD
Dean, UBC Faculty of Medicine

Gavin Stuart, MD, Dean, UBC Faculty of Medicine,. The Dean responds. BCMJ, Vol. 51, No. 3, April, 2009, Page(s) 105 - Letters.


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