My journey began some 8 years ago on the golf course when my friend Steve Goluboff asked me to consider joining the Saskatchewan chapter of the College of Family Physicians of Canada as a Member at Large. He wanted representation from an International Medical Graduate from the North and believed somehow that I have some leadership qualities for this position.

Initially I found it very overwhelming at the provincial meetings trying to find my place and understanding how, as a clinician, I could put on another hat and discuss other aspects of medical care including planning initiatives, negotiations, involvement in multiple committees, and how to promote our College to the public, health regions, medical students, the government and at the same time represent members of our organization. A job that we certainly never had any training for!

I initially believed that as a full time GP and clinician I was too busy to become involved and believed that what we say or believe in would not make a difference. But after meeting so many different Colleagues from across the country who are dedicated to deliver excellent health care to their patients and at the same time are creatively developing new models of practice, and innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing patient centered care, I realized that what we believe in and say does make a huge difference. Our opinions are very important in assisting the transformation of heath care in Saskatchewan.

I now believe that becoming involved will help to advocate our profession and the strong leadership that we in family practice are showing will help transform the changing model that is facing primary health care in Saskatchewan and Canada.

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Dr. Nicolas Kriel, President