A pillar of Alberta’s rural healthcare community has been recognized for his leadership in Canadian physician attraction, recruitment, and retention.
David Kay, Assistant Registrar and Chief Operating Officer, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, was presented with the 2016 Leadership Award from the Canadian Association of Staff Physician Recruiters (CASPR) at their annual convention in Vancouver. The Leadership Award recognizes a CASPR member who has demonstrated a superior commitment and passion for physician attraction and recruitment, as well as leadership in all aspects of their role. David Kay has been an integral member of CASPR for the last 11 years, holding multiple positions on the board, most recently serving as the Communications Director.
As the Executive Director of RPAP from 1998 to March 2016, Kay led the only provincial organization in Alberta that brings together communities, physicians and schools of medicine to consider and meet the needs of healthcare delivery in rural Alberta. During this time he spearheaded and supported several innovative programs to support health workforce development in Alberta. His significant contributions to the rural healthcare landscape include:
- The development of the province’s first Alternative Relationship Plans in Alberta – he was a pioneer and visionary in changes to physician compensation
- The creation of the rural residency programs in Alberta with the Universities of Alberta and Calgary.
- The development of a Western Canada Collaboration; a cost effective, efficient marketing strategy supporting recruitment to the four Western Canada provinces, with the cooperation of HealthMatchBC, Saskdocs, and the Manitoba Healthcare Providers Network.
Through his involvement with CASPR, David has been able to bring a regional understanding of the challenges to the national arena. His knowledge and willingness to share his thoughts and experience in the political arena has been a benefit to CASPR in navigating challenges.
In addition to Kay, awards recognizing excellence in Canadian physician attraction, recruitment, and retention were presented to two other healthcare recruitment professionals:
- Kerrie Balon, Recruitment Coordinator at Northern Medical Services, Saskatchewan – 2016 Recruiter Recognition Award
- David Gravelle, President, Gravelle & Associates, Ontario – 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Marlene Young, former CASPR chair, offered her congratulations to the 2016 recipients, heralding the trio as true stewards of the CASPR organization.
“Physician Recruitment is a calling and this year’s recipients are excellent examples of professionalism, passion and dedication. Each one of them deserves the honor that has been bestowed upon them whether they have excelled at recruitment, developed programming to support physician development, or built strong partnerships in their communities and provinces.”
CASPR administers three awards annually: Recruiter Recognition, Leadership, and Lifetime Achievement. The awards are presented at the annual conference. A description of each award, along with award criteria, can be found at http://caspr.ca/home/about-us/awards/award-nominations/.