On Wednesday October 16, Newburgh United Church hosted Dr. Jane Philpott, Dean of Health Sciences at Queen’s University and former federal government Minister of Health and Indigenous Services. Dr. Philpott was welcomed by Rev Barbara Mahood and introduced by Dr. Jeff Sloan.
Dr. Philpott responded to many questions posed to her by the attendees based on her recently published book Health for All which outlines her ideas for reforming Canada’s health system to assign every Canadian to a primary care provider. The providers will be family physicians or nurse practitioners based in a team of allied health professionals known as a “medical home”.
At the conclusion of the event, a local Syrian Canadian family was introduced to Dr. Philpott. Dr. Philpott was responsible for organizing the entry of 25,000 Syrian refugees into Canada as her first act as a cabinet minister. The Hosni family arrived in Napanee in early 2016 and have since become Canadian citizens and active members of the community.
Dr. Rosie Hyde, Chair of the Official Board thanked Dr. Philpott for her presentation and presented her with a gift from the congregation. Attendees were offered tea, coffee and snacks following the question and answer session with Dr. Philpott. The event was well attended and was the second that Newburgh United Church has hosted that brings community leaders to the church to address issues of general interest.
Dr. Philpott has just been appointed by the Ontario Ministry of Health to lead a Primary Care Action Team with a mandate to connect all Ontarians with a primary care provider within five years. Currently about 10 percent of Ontario residents are without a primary care provider.
Submitted by Jeffrey Sloan
Mission and Service Enthusiast
Newburgh Centreville Pastoral Charge.