October

The following physicians have died over the past 9 months; please consider submitting a piece for our “In Memoriam” section in the BCMJ if you knew the deceased well.

This fall, the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign will bring together more than 240 grandmothers’ groups, students, activists, and community members to partake in the AfriGrand Caravan to raise awareness and funds for the AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa.

Are you a physician practising medicine in British Columbia? Are you or your spouse having a baby or planning a pregnancy in the period from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011?

If you are, then it is important to take advantage of the Parental Leave Program, one of the negotiated benefits administered by the BCMA. Remember that effective 1 April 2010 the program has been improved to include benefits for male physicians and adoptive parents in addition to pregnancy benefits. 

In July more than 600 female physicians and students from across the world met in Munster, Germany, to discuss professional issues and topics in women’s health. 

This meeting marked the 28th International Congress of the Medical Women International Association (MWIA), one of the oldest professional associations in medicine. Founded in 1919, this group has representation from women doctors in each continent. 

The open enrollment period for the Core-Plus Plan under the BCMA Health Benefits Trust Fund is underway. The deadline to enroll in this program, or to make changes to your coverage if you are already participating, is 31 October 2010. 

New coverage or changes to existing coverage for members who submit the required plan documents by the deadline will be effective 1 January 2011.