Introducing … the CFPC’s new President

Architect? Lawyer? Doctor? These were possible professions for Sarah Kredentser, who wanted a career that would be stimulating, intellectually challenging, and financially stable. Sarah’s father was a family doctor, and when she was a young girl she sometimes joined him while he made housecalls. She was fascinated by his dedication to his patients. It made a lasting impression and, ultimately, “doctor” became Sarah’s career choice. Now established as a family doctor and medical educator in Winnipeg, Man, Dr Sarah Kredentser is the new President of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).

“It’s a tremendous opportunity that is exciting and daunting at the same time,” says Dr Kredentser about the coming year. She acknowledges the outstanding efforts of past CFPC Presidents and says, “They have set some very high standards, and I hope I can maintain that level of achievement.”

Her history

Dr Kredentser brings a wealth of experience to her presidency, as well as commitment and enthusiasm—traits she enjoys seeing in medical students and residents. She believes that every family doctor needs these qualities to be effective.

After obtaining her medical degree at the University of Alberta in 1980, Dr Kredentser completed the Family Medicine Residency Program at the University of Manitoba in 1982 and spent the next 2 years practising in Boston, Mass. She then returned to St Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg to join 3 family doctors, one of whom was her mentor in medical school, Dr George Renouf. She remained there for 15 years, juggling a busy practice with obstetrics and teaching and thoroughly enjoying her work.

In 1998, Sarah moved to a new clinic where she practised for almost 10 years until this year when she joined the University of Manitoba’s Department of Family Medicine as a preceptor in the Family Medicine Residency Training Program at Kildonan Medical Centre in Winnipeg’s Seven Oaks General Hospital. She continues office-based practice and hospital care, including obstetrics. “I love it!” says Dr Kredentser. She genuinely enjoys the enthusiasm of the residents: “They have great ideas, high energy, and such a passion for learning. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help guide them on their journeys to become family doctors.”

In addition to the demands of practice, Dr Kredentser is a devoted mother to her 23-year-old daughter, Maia, and 21-year-old son, Mitchell. As the children were growing up, Sarah arranged her work so her family could have as much time and fun together as possible. “Our family has always been close and the kids certainly help to keep me grounded!”

Dr Kredentser served as President of the Manitoba College of Family Physicians in 1990, and in 1996 was honoured with Manitoba’s Family Physician of the Year award. She has been a member of the Executive Committee of the CFPC’s Board since 2004. Sarah has also valued her involvement with the Executive and Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, for which she served as President from 2003 to 2004.

What’s next for Dr Kredentser? “I hope to spend time becoming a better teacher as well as pursue my involvement in developing a sustainable model of delivery of low-risk obstetrics,” she says. “The new model may encourage more family doctors to continue their services in obstetrics and that provides an important service to our patients.”

The year ahead?

As College President, Dr Kredentser’s goal is to continue—like her predecessors—to represent family physicians who provide quality care in challenging circumstances. In addition to supporting comprehensive care in family practice, Dr Kredentser welcomes the CFPC’s initiative to establish a Section of Family Physicians with Special Interests or Focused Practices. “This offers a significant new step for the CFPC, and I look forward to the opportunity to lead the charge in helping it become established and effective,” she says. “I also look forward to working with the committed staff at the CFPC national and provincial offices in our vision for 95% of Canadians to have a family doctor by 2012. We must continue to impose change in order to ensure that all Canadians in all communities have access to the health care that they need.”

A novice artist and avid football fan, Sarah knows that the year ahead won’t leave much time for hobbies. Her dedication to family medicine will be focused on the challenges of the presidency. Sarah is ready and in high gear. Her father would be proud.