Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Our Commitment to Building a Healthier Profession
The Saskatchewan Medical Association is committed to equity, diversity and inclusivity in our governance bodies to reflect the diverse physician population in Saskatchewan. Our physicians and patients include people of different racial backgrounds, ages, genders, spiritual affiliations, and modes of practice.
The SMA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee has mandate to examine the issue of systemic racism in the profession.
The SMA invites all physicians to participate in EDI initiatives. If you have any comments, ideas or suggestions for the committee, or are interested in joining, please contact sma@sma.sk.ca.
Racism in Medicine: Physician Survey Findings
In the fall of 2023, the Saskatchewan Medical Association’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan’s Diversity and Bias Committee conducted a joint survey to gain a better understanding of the experience of racism within the medical profession in Saskatchewan.
While there are many results that can be extracted from the survey, this report focuses on the key questions addressed in the survey: Is racism an issue among physicians, residents, and medical students in Saskatchewan?
Provide more physician, student, and resident supports and resources.
Facilitate diversity and inclusion in the SMA and on committees while being cognizant of tokenism and the “saviour syndrome.”
Equip, enable, and empower all physicians to call out racism and discrimination.
Develop the system infrastructure to support this cultural shift.
Share stories and highlight what is working but do your due diligence when it comes to who and what is being celebrated.
Provide further mentorship, orientation, and integration support.
Improve competency assessment and training.
The Physician Advocate – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) promotes and advocates for equity, diversity, and inclusion on behalf of individual SMA members and the profession. This experienced advocate/leader will be committed to creating opportunities for Saskatchewan physicians to reach new levels of excellence and professionalism in a collaborative, respectful and continuous learning environment.
Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka is the SMA Physican Advocate, EDI. Click here to learn more about Dr. Ndubuka and his goals for the role.
For support, please call SMA’s reception on 306-244-2196 or 1-800-667-3781 and ask to speak to Dr. Ndubuka.
A Complaint or Report is a written statement submitted to the SMA regarding a personal experience of racism, discrimination, harassment, and/or reprisal. SMA members who write and submit a Complaint or Report agree to be contacted by an EDI team member who will ask questions to better understand what happened.
Complaint or Report forms can be submitted by physicians, residents, and medical students ONLY. We will not respond to complaints from the public. (MySMA member log-in required to access the form.)
To make a Complaint or Report:
- Complete the complaint form and submit to the SMA.
- The Physician Health Program team will meet to review the complaint and decide if it will be referred for investigation.
- The SMA Physician Lead, EDI will reach out to explain the team’s decision and explain next steps.
The form can be submitted by physicians, residents, and medical students only (MySMA member log-in required to access the form).
Registration is open for this self-paced, online course, developed by the Division of Social Accountability, College of Medicine.
SMA physician members can register here and add the course to their cart. Before checking out, under Options click the box “Apply a discount” and enter code ARTP2024-SMA to waive the course fee. The code is open to the first 140 registrants on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The course has received an educational grant or in-kind support from the SMA and the Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management Inc., and Scotiabank.
Click here to see the poster.
The Equality Diversity & Inclusion Continuing Medical Education (EDI CME) Reimbursement Program reimburses physicians for the costs associated with EDI CME courses and reference materials.
The reimbursement is available to all physicians in active practice in Saskatchewan who are licensed with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan and meet minimum activity thresholds.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – College of Medicine | University of Saskatchewan
Physician Leadership Toolkit for Encouraging and Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
Equity and Diversity in Medicine (CMA Policy)
CMA roundtables on equity, diversity and discrimination (summary report)
Sound Mind: Racism in medicine (podcast)
The 5 D’s of Bystander Intervention (how-to resource)
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (report)
For Allies – Black Physicians of Canada
Doctors of BC Diversity and Inclusion Barrier Assessment – Final Report (document)
Cultural Competence: A Systematic Review of Health Care Provider Educational Interventions
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA), MD Financial Management Inc. (MD) and Scotiabank together are firmly committed to supporting the medical profession and advancing health in Canada. As proof of this commitment, Scotiabank, in collaboration with the CMA and MD, is investing $115 million over 10 years to support physicians and the communities they serve across Canada.