It seems like only yesterday that
Dr Brian Day won what was arguably the CMA's most controversial
presidential race in recent history. But starting the
week of February 5, Quebec Medical Association (QMA)
members head to the polls to elect his successor, who
will reign over the organization in 2008-09.
Three candidates have thrown their
hats in the ring for what promises to be a much tamer
election: radiologist Dr Robert Ouellet and Drs André
Senikas and Daniel Wagner, both Montreal-area family
physicians. Dr Ouellet is the current president of the
QMA; the other two candidates are past presidents of
the organization.
Voting ends March 7 and the winner
will be announced the following day.
The field of three is the largest
the QMA has ever seen. This level of competition is
healthy for the CMA and "demonstrates the health and
vitality of this association," said former president
Dr Ruth Collins-Nakai in a statement.
 Dr
Robert Ouellet
"The result of my consultations with fellow-physicians
clearly illustrates their openness to a private sector
contribution to health care services if it translates
into greater accessibility," the current QMA president
and founding director of the first private CT clinic,
writes in his letter of intent, posted online at amq.ca.
Dr Ouellet also sits on the CMA's board of directors.
"The CMA," he adds in his letter, "must continue to
demonstrate leadership, vision and openness towards
changes in our health care system."
 Dr
André Senikas
In the 60s, Dr Senikas, a Montreal FP, helped found
the University of Sherbrooke Medical Students Association.
More recently, he has been QMA president, a member of
the CMA council on health policy and economics, a member
of the CMA board of directors, and a member of the CMA'S
CEO Selection Committee. These are "difficult times"
for healthcare, he writes. "Being outspoken and pragmatic,
I will not shy away from debates... You can count on
me."
Dr Senikas has practised medicine
in Africa and elsewhere overseas, and has served as
Transport Canada's civil aviation and marine medical
examiner for several decades. He has also worked for
Medisys Health Group, the private clinic made famous
in part for treating Paul Martin, since 1989.
 Dr
Daniel Wagner
The choice of the QMA's nomination committee, which
selects the best candidate from the province to run
for CMA president, Dr Wagner pulls no punches in his
letter of intent. QMA president from 1991 to 2001, Dr
Wagner writes, "the younger generation is withdrawing
[from CMA participation] due to the lack of confidence
in the present leadership." Dr Wagner advocates increased
public-private partnerships, suggesting the idea of
allowing all physicians to work one day per week outside
the public system. "Following on the heels of a president
who is pro-privatization, my lifelong commitment to
the public system will be seen as an asset," he writes.
Dr Wagner is the only one of the three candidates to
list his interests on his CV: " Music, golf, reading,
wine tasting, philately." The stamp-collecting doctor
has served as chair of the Political Action Committee
of the CMA, among other positions.
|
