Research and Education Foundation: Celebrating 20 years of success: Supporting family medicine for a healthy Canada

Renu Dhir

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) has played an important role in the history of family medicine in Canada. To help serve the future of family medicine, the Research and Education Foundation (REF) of the CFPC was established in 1994 as the only charitable organization in Canada dedicated solely to advancing the discipline of family medicine through research and education initiatives (Box 1).

Box 1.

Purpose of the REF

The purpose of the REF is to ...

provide support for primary care research,
provide educational programs by and for family physicians, and
promote the health of the community by educating and instructing the public.

REF—Research and Education Foundation.

For the past 20 years, contributions to the REF have funded countless awards, grants, and scholarships for family physicians, medical students, and residents to support their learning, continuing education, and research in family medicine. These awards have had and continue to have a meaningful effect on patient care in communities across Canada.

In 2013, more than $500 000 was distributed to College members to pursue research and education, with the balance of funds supporting projects to advance the discipline of family medicine within the CFPC. One hundred percent of REF donations are designated toward the goal of supporting family medicine for a healthy Canada.

Hundreds of awards have been distributed, and the catalog of Honours and Awards grows each year. Recent additions include the Team Williams Family Medicine Innovation Grant, for innovative use of technology in family medicine, and the Norlien Foundation Grants in Addiction Education, for promoting education on addiction and its effects on families and communities.

New awards will be introduced, including an award for leadership in applying and embodying aspects of the Patient’s Medical Home and a scholarship for indigenous medical students.

The REF has raised more than $10 million in its 20-year history. The REF had its most successful year in 2012, raising more than $1 million in donations. With the generous support of donors, we are hoping to surpass that amount this year.

To find more information about the REF or to make a secure contribution online, please visit our website at www.cfpc.ca/ref.