I am glad to report that the 2011 PA Section meeting in Vancouver this past weekend was a resounding success. The educational session included many worthwhile topics including malignant melanoma and ovarian carcinoma and, from our own members, items related to post mortem artefacts and quality assurance topics. It was great to re-connect with people from across the country who I haven't seen in several years. Conspicuous in their absence were the PAs from Ottawa. This concerns me greatly and leaves me wondering whether the emphasis on funding educational opportunities for Technologists and PAs has changed (for the worse); I hope not. I was great to make the acquaintance of PAs from Alberta and of a few very enthusiastic PA-wannabes from Alberta.
Of course, the Hotel Vancouver was idyllic, as always. The venue for our educational session; for the AGM and especially for the lunch meeting for committee members were great. The Saturday evening venue for our dinner meeting was wonderful (they had TVs so we could watch the Canucks win game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The city erupted after the game and the atmosphere was infectious (in a good way!).
Much good discussion took place 'at the table' and the networking opportunities were terrific. Congratulations to Alan Wolff for winning the 2010-11 PA of the Year award -- the award couldn't have gone to a nicer guy!
I especially appreciated meeting up with some dear old acquaintances from grand-old TOH (The Ottawa Hospital) -- apart from witnessing the hockey fans going crazy, this was truly the highlight of the weekend.
I don't want to steal any of the thunder of the meeting's minutes (which I have to write up ASAP) but as a result of the regrettably small number of attendees at the AGM, proposed changes to the PA Section Bylaws could not be ratified. This is a real shame considering all of the hard work that has been done on behalf of Canadian PAs -- members and non-members alike -- by the various committees, especially, if I may add, by the hard-working Membership Committee. It was gratifying to continue the meaningful discussion at the working lunch meeting.
Thank-you one and all for all of your hard work during the year; for organizing the event; for looking after us and directing discussion; asking the right questions; giving meaningful insights into the direction that Canadian PAs are going.
I have to comment regarding the perceived apathy of some PAs: Canadian PAs ARE moving toward certification. We ARE creating an exam which you will have to write if you wish to be certified. I suggest that, rather than complain after the fact, that those who are not currently involved would become involved beforehand. The Chair of the Examination Committee has recently been vacated (thanks for all your efforts, Mayleen, and good luck in the future!) and this is a wonderful opportunity for someone who cares to make a difference in the future of Canadian PAs -- a difference that may stand for all time. You don't have to take such a big step; just join the CAP and step up to sit on a committee. If you have an opinion; if you have what might be a unique situation amongst PAs; if for any reason your opinion should be heard when formulating national policy PLEASE make your presence known.
Hopefully to aid in engagement, we are making it a priority to have a facility that has videoconferencing capability for next year's meeting (Calgary, July). If you can't go to Calgary and you want to be involved in discussions at the AGM (you ARE invited), please be proactive; seek out and book a room at your facility that has videoconferencing capability. You'll be able to participate in the meeting and those who are in [physical] attendance will be able to communicate with you real-time. Personally, I'm really enthusiastic about adding this facet to our annual meeting and sincerely hope that 1. it will provide the opportunity for more PAs to attend; 2. for more PAs to participate and 3. to show the way for the pathologists (who have yet to make videoconferencing a priority).
The perceived apathy may be multi-factorial; in part, the lack of communication to all PA members may be hampered by some technical snafu's that seem to arise out of set procedures of the CAP Secretariat more than anything else. I feel that a PA-specific website (or blog or social networking site -- as was suggested by another PA at the meeting) with a current and frequently updated membership list might go a long way towards enabling communication amongst all PAs in a timely fashion. As Alan has often stated, the CAP site is under-used. It already provides a [slightly clumsy] place to allow all PA Section members to communicate; chat or email -- it's there for us; it's free; I encourage everyone to use it.
The weather in Vancouver was fantastic; rivaling the Okanagan in fact! I wish the organizing committee for the PA meeting in Calgary all the best. It was certainly great to make your acquaintance and I look forward to seeing you next year.
