The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) has endorsed the Okanagan Charter: An international Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges. The AFMC recognizes that promoting health and well being is essential to achieving the full potential of all those engaged in academic medicine. By endorsing the Okanagan Charter, the AFMC commits to sharing in the Vision, supporting Faculties of Medicine in implementing the two Calls to Action for Higher Education institutions, and following the Guiding Principles as the means for translating the Charter into action.

Thanks to a grant from the Physician Wellness+Initiative, an initiative by Scotiabank, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), and MD Financial Management (MD), AFMC and the Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS) have been working together to address the urgent and ongoing health and wellness needs of physicians, researchers, administrators and learners. The endorsement of the Okanagan Charter is a step forward in addressing the culture of academic medicine and improving equity, diversity, and inclusivity within our healthcare system.

Quotes

“The AFMC Board of Directors has endorsed the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges. By promoting health and well-being in academic medicine, we can transform the health and sustainability of our current and future societies, strengthen communities, and contribute to the well-being of people, places and the planet.”

Dr. Margaret Steele, Chair of the AFMC Board

“AFMC will be collaborating with the CFMS, Black Physicians of Canada, the Indigenous Physician Association of Canada, the Canadian Association of Physicians with Disabilities as well as LGBTQ2S+ and patient representatives to support the implementation of the Okanagan Charter across all our Faculties of Medicine.”

Dr. Geneviève Moineau, AFMC President and CEO