Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals (Ontario)

			<Chinese Canadian Medical Society>

			History
			The Medical Section was the first section formed when the Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals was established in 1975. This was triggered by the issue of an alarming and misleading report in the Toronto Globe and Mail in September, 1974, on a statement made by Dr. Bette Stephenson, then the President of the Canadian Medical Association. She stated that there were too many foreign born Chinese medical students in the University of Toronto, disregarding the fact that almost all of them were landed immigrants or Canadian citizens. Nine Chinese Canadian physicians and other professionals, led by Dr. George Woo, were instrumental in spearheading the formation of the Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals of Ontario. Since 1975, the Medical Section which later on formally incorporated (April 26, 1984) under the name of Chinese Canadian Medical Society, Ontario, flourished with the membership increasing steadily upwards. It now numbers about 600 active and paidup participants, including medical students. It has always been the largest and the most active section of the FCCP. In fact, about half of the past Presidents of the Board of Directors of the FCCP came from the Medical Section. The CCMS (Ontario) is also a Founding member of the Federation of Chinese American and Chinese Canadian Medical Societies (FCMS), which sponsors a biennial international conference on Health Problems Related to the Chinese in North America. Eight have been held since 1982.
			Objectives
			To develop and promote the professional and cultural well-being of Chinese Canadians in the medical profession. To encourage such activities as well as ensure broad participation by the membership. To provide for and encourage the sharing of information among the members. To promote, foster and protect the rights of Chinese Canadians in the Canadian society, particularly in the areas of health and education. To serve as a voice on matters of concern to Chinese Canadians, particularly on health issues. To outreach the general public and serve as a resource on general medical health, and on health issues related particularly to the Chinese in North America.
			Main Functions
			Community Liaison and Outreach Services Liaison The Society has been in regular dialogue and association with numerous medical organizations as well as the medical faculty of the University of Toronto. These include the Liver Foundation (CCMS together with the Liver Foundation were instrumental in bringing in free Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns for Hepatitis B carrier mothers), the Hearing Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the Canadian Red Cross (in form of donations and blood donor clinic), as well as various Hospitals in the greater Toronto area. The Society also helped the University of Toronto in setting up exchange program with the Szechuan Medical College (now the West China University of Medical Sciences), and was consulted on the issue of entrance examinations to the university. Hospitality The Society regularly offers hospitality to visiting medical colleagues from China, Hong Kong and other countries. Community Education on Medical Health Over a hundred official talks and lectures have been given by Society members to the Chinese Canadian community and non Chinese community groups at various venues such as hospitals, community centres, Mon Sheong Home for the Aged, Radio stations, MTV, Fairchild TV, City TV, and local cable channels. Among other educational services, the Society also sponsored a year long question and answer medical column in the Sing Tao Daily News. Other Community Services These included free medical clinic for Vietnamese refugees, supporting Chinese outreach programs in hospitals, breast cancer outreach clinic, sponsoring tea parties at Old Age Home, and donating and offering support to activities of charitable organizations such as the United Way, various Hospital Foundations, St. John's Ambulance Service, the Hong Fook Mental Health Service and the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto. Community Issues The Society was actively involved in community issues such as Vietnamese Refugees Programs, Metro Police Race Relations, W5 Campus Giveaway, University of Toronto English Proficiency Test and Entrance Examinations, Hepatitis B vaccines, Bill 94 and other OHIP issues, Foreign Medical Graduates, Nursing Home projects, etc. Promoting Higher Education The CCMS (Ont.) has been the staunchest supporter of the FCCP (Ont.) Education Foundation, the charitable arm of the FCCP, which promotes higher education through prizes and scholarships, interest free student loans and annual Awards of Merit. The Society members accounted for well over 50% of the money raised in the initial fee of the Foundation. The capital fund now stands at around $600000. It has also established through the Foundation, two prizes (Anatomy and Metabolism) and an entrance scholarship ($1000) which are given out annually at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Toronto.
			Other Activities
			Educational Dinner Lectures: usually more than 10 per year Annual Medical Seminar: every November Biennial Conference on Health Problems Related to the Chinese in North America, held so far in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Toronto, and Vancouver (a FCMS activity) Social activities: Christmas Family Party, FCCP Chinese New Year Bash, Golf tournament, etc. Sports activities: badminton, basketball, tennis, soccer, etc. Medical Tours: particularly to China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia Cultural events: opera, ballet, art gallery and museum exhibitions, theatres Other events include nature tour (e.g. Algonquin Park), summer picnic, etc. Medical Students Orientation & Career Guidance Evening: annually in September/October Radio & T.V. medical talks, and Health Awareness Outreach lectures
			Chinese Canadian Medical Society (Ont.) Website
			www.ccmsontario.com