An Estevan physician has been enjoying his work on the council for the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Boye Adeboye, who has been in Estevan since the spring of 2018, was elected to the council in December 2020. He pointed out that about a year ago, he was appointed as the physician lead for the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Network Area 9, which includes Estevan.
That gave him an introduction to the administration of health in the province, and the challenges and the demands that healthcare brings. He found there are not many physicians involved, simply due to the fact that they are busy with their practices.
“Our voices are quite needed, so subsequent to that realization, when the opportunity came to be nominated as a councillor for the Council of Physicians and Surgeons, I thought, well, the experience that I have gotten in the one-year-plus that I’ve been a division lead here, the people that I’ve met, and with the understanding of how the Saskatchewan Health Authority works, would give me the chance to actually offer my services on the provincial level.”
There was no better place to start than the College of Physicians and Surgeons, he said.
Adeboye compared it to being on a municipal council, in which the mayor would be the registrar of the college in this case, and the councillors would be the college’s council. Ownership is basically everyone in Saskatchewan that accesses healthcare.
In the case of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, they meet every couple of months to discuss issues related to the college, physician regulations, and the relationship between the profession with the community and other stakeholders.
“I’m still a new member of the council, and there are people who have been there for years,” said Adeboye.
The college is also responsible for nvestigating and disciplining of all doctors whose standards of medical care, ethical or professional conduct are questioned.
He noted that Dr. Edward Tsoi was on the council for many years.
The first month on the council was an “eye-opener,” he said, and certainly nothing like what he did as the area network physician lead. It has given him an idea of how bigger organizations work.
“Everybody has been quite supportive. They understand that I am new on the council, and I think that is a good thing,” said Adeboye.
With the way in which the elections occur, you’ll have new members coming in while incumbent members are there. They aren’t elected all at once. Adeboye’s term as a member of the council will expire in December 2023.
“It has been a very steep learning experience, because I’ve never been an administrator. Yes, maybe I’ve done a couple of leadership roles, but this is kind of different, because it brings leadership into understanding the perspective of how organizations work, what it takes to run a professional body and stick with engagement.”
Adeboye has been able to balance the demands of the college with his practice at the Estevan Medical Group. Much of his work is done by emails, correspondences and letters.
His colleagues have also been supportive.
The council is comprised of doctors and lay people, with 21 members in all.
Council members meet five times a year and it is through the council that the mandate and responsibilities of the college are carried out.
