Julie Massé, physician at the Department of Family Medicine’s Vallée-de-l'Or GMF-U site, is named finalist for the Outreach Award from the Collège des Médecins du Québec (CMQ). The overall winners will be announced during a ceremony on April 11, 2024.
The CMQ Award in the Outreach category is given to a physician who raises the profile of the medical profession in his or her region. Through their commitment, these individuals promote the values associated with medicine, and help to promote the profession to the medical community, to the next generation of doctors, and to the general public.
Clinician, teacher and leader
Thanks to Dr. Massé, Val-d'Or has become a magnet for the next generation of doctors, and the local population benefits from better care.
For almost 15 years, Dr. Massé has worked with passion, brilliantly wearing her multiple hats as clinician, teacher, supervisor and manager. Under her leadership, the Vallée-de-l'Or GMF-U site has undergone rapid expansion, enrolling thousands of additional patients. By implementing innovative practices within the family medicine residency program, Dr. Massé made the family medicine unit a cornerstone in the recruitment and retention of new physicians in Val-d'Or, significantly improving access to care for the local population.
"Dr. Julie Massé has advanced family medicine in Val-d'Or, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Quebec!"
Dr. Marion Dove, Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine, Â鶹AV
Dr. Massé was also instrumental in setting up a rural integrated longitudinal clerkship program, which helps promote regional practice among medical students in their first year of study. In addition, she oversaw the construction of a new, modern building that will allow the GMF-U to expand in the fall of 2023.
As Val-d'Or is home to many members of the Eeyou and Anishinabe communities, Dr. Massé quickly became aware of this reality and worked to include a component on aboriginal health and cultural safety in the residency program curriculum. She also participated in the creation of a medical clinic specializing in aboriginal health. Concerned about the lack of resources in her region for addiction follow-up, Dr. Massé has also ensured that family medicine residents have the tools they need to support vulnerable patients, by improving training and clinical exposure.
With her ability to motivate interdisciplinary teams to carry out large-scale projects, Dr. Massé is a source of inspiration throughout the region. She stands out for her leadership that brings people together and benefits the community.
Read the official announcement here:
Each year, the Collège des Médecins du Québec honours physicians who have distinguished themselves by making remarkable contributions to the development and influence of the profession, to the advancement of medical knowledge or to the well-being of the community. The College Awards are a mark of recognition for these physicians, whose actions brilliantly reflect the five core values of the professional order: commitment, rigour, collaboration, integrity and respect.
