Education & Accreditation Upcoming Events

The Political Physician: A Conversation with the Honourable Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler

Wednesday March 19, 2025
7 PM ET
Duration: 60 minutes

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Presenter: The Honourable Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler
(view bio)

In today’s ever-evolving healthcare landscape, political engagement isn’t optional, it’s essential. This presentation examines the critical role of physicians in shaping healthcare policy, advocating for systemic change, and navigating the intersection of medicine and politics. It also explores how self-reflection and values-based leadership contribute to effective and meaningful advocacy. 
 

After participating in this activity, participants will be able to: 

  1. Identify how physicians can influence healthcare policy and public health through advocacy.
  2. Explain how a medical background equips/empowers physicians to advocate for healthcare reforms and shape legislation.
  3. Describe how physicians can successfully integrate medical practice with political involvement.
  4. Give key insights for developing actionable plans for engaging in advocacy, while upholding ethical professionalism.  
This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society. You may claim a maximum of 1 hour (credits are automatically calculated).

Moderator: Dr Joel Loiselle
University of Manitoba
 

Dr Loiselle, a proud Saskatchewan native, completed medical school at the University of Saskatchewan in 1997 and anesthesia residency at the University of Manitoba in 2002. He has been an anesthesiologist at St. Boniface Hospital since then, also providing care at Misericordia Hospital and in palliative care.

He works at the Pain Management Centre at HSC, specializing in cancer-related pain. Academically, Dr. Loiselle is an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba and Director of Continuing Professional Development for his department, also serving on ACUDA’s CPD committee. Administratively, he is the Medical Director for Anesthesia at Misericordia Health Centre. He has been happily married to his wife, Lynn, for 25 years, with two adult children, Genevieve and Xavier. Winnipeg is now home to their deeply rooted family.


Presenter: The Honourable Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler

Senator Osler was appointed to the Senate of Canada on September 26, 2022. Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler is an internationally renowned surgeon and a dedicated advocate for health and health care. Born and raised in Winnipeg to immigrant parents from the Philippines and India, she completed her medical school and residency training in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Osler holds a Graduate Certificate in Global Surgical Care from the University of British Columbia. Senator Osler served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Manitoba and was the Head of the Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.

In 2018, she became the first female surgeon and the first racialized woman elected as President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). While there she led the development of the CMA’s first ever policy on equity and diversity. Senator Osler has held leadership roles with the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the Federation of Medical Women of Canada, the Canadian Medical Forum, and the Virtual Care Task Force. Senator Osler is the recipient of numerous honours and awards, including the University of Manitoba Distinguished Alumni Award and the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada May Cohen Equity, Diversity and Gender Award.

She has been named as a Pinays Manitoba 2023 Trailblazer, Women’s Executive Network (WXN) 2019 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winner, and to the Medical Post’s 2021 Power List.  Senator Osler was also inducted into the Government of Canada’s Women of Impact in Canada online gallery in 2022.