Physician Wellness⁺ Initiative dedicates $15 million to support physicians and medical learners

Today, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), Scotiabank and MD Financial Management Inc. (MD) announced the creation of the Physician Wellness⁺ Initiative, with $15 million directed to address the urgent and ongoing health and wellness needs of physicians and medical learners.

Funds will be distributed to provincial and territorial medical associations, national and provincial specialty societies, and representative groups rooted in the medical community who understand the needs of physicians in their respective areas and fields.

“Being a physician today comes with a great many stressors—diminishing resources, heavy workloads, not to mention the risks associated with COVID-19. We need to take care of our medical community in order for them to take care of patients. This funding will address the needs of physicians and medical learners by leveraging and bolstering existing health and wellness infrastructure, while also extending support in new ways.” - Dr. Ann Collins, CMA president.

In a recent online survey of Canadians on the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, 93% of respondents said they were concerned about the impact it would have on the Canadian health care system. Nearly all survey respondents (95%) said that the health and wellness of physicians impacts the health of all Canadians.¹

“COVID-19 has impacted our communities from coast to coast, and physicians stand at the centre of our country’s ability to respond,” says Glen Gowland, Group Head, Global Wealth Management at Scotiabank. “Scotiabank is proud to have made contributions that will help alleviate challenges posed by COVID-19 and to now contribute additional longer-term funding to support the health and wellness of the medical profession.”  

“For more than half a century, MD has proudly supported physicians so they can better focus on their critical role: looking after the health of Canadians,” says Daniel Labonté, President and CEO, MD. “Canadian physicians work to an exceptional standard, and we are pleased to stand behind the Physician Wellness⁺ Initiative.”

Learn more about the Affinity collaboration

Scotiabank, MD and the CMA are dedicated to supporting the medical profession and advancing health in Canada, having now committed a total of $34.5 million to date through their Affinity collaboration.