Congratulations!

Congratulations to Canada's PAs on the successful completion of the first annual general meeting as a Section of the Canadian Association of Pathologists! What an exciting time this is for us! Despite not attending, I could feel the excitement from all the way out here in BC. Elections were held for the inaugural Executive Committee (thank-you for electing me Secretary-Treasurer -- barely beating out a fellow Okanagan PA, Danielle Lee), the list of key competencies was discussed, and grandmother/fathering was touched upon briefly but, most importantly, Canada's PAs took a giant step forward in the recognition that the PA, and the product that s/he provides, is valued and that all of that day-to-day slugging is worth it after all. In my new role, I expect that I'll provide a more thorough summation of the meeting on the PAs' web site, so please check it out in the next week or so.

I am told that there were a number of those in attendance who had voiced an interest in the PA position in Kelowna (full-time, permanent). IMPORTANT: if you wish to apply, please send me your resume within the next 2 -3 days (william.stinson@interiorhealth.ca ) and please call me ((250) 862-4300 (ext. 7273)).

I also understand that there had been some interest in the vacant Penticton PA position. Although it appears that I am bound to train an individual from within for this position, I would still be very interested to learn the names of those who are genuinely interested in applying, if this job is posted at some future date. Penticton is a smaller centre in which the PA position would, like that in Vernon, be a combination of grossing and assisting in the Histology lab. So, I'd be interested in a PA/Histotechnologist who is, or is able to be, registered with the CSMLS and who's Histo skills are not too rusty. Please feel free to contact me. Unlike the Kelowna position, there's no great rush for this position; I expect that training may begin in the fall.

I'll likely have more to say later but, right now, I'm on my way to work. It's a fabulous Okanagan day. I think I'll take my bike.