New members, new leadership: Introductions

As your new President, I would like to introduce the newly elected CAPA Vice-Presidents, Colleen Maloney and Linda Wilhelm. Their names will be familiar to you. Colleen is the Editor of Voices, and chairs the Access to Home Care sub-committee. Linda chairs Access to Medications, which includes Cross-Border Internet Pharmacy issues. I'm chair of the Research Issues committee, which encourages consumer participation at decision-making tables at all stages and levels of research related planning; and includes the ethics of human research, such as the privacy and confidentiality of health information. Linda, Colleen and I make a good team. Together we are the CAPA Executive and External Relations sub-committee.

I also want to introduce our four new Steering Committee (SC) members. From Calgary, Cheyne Parkinson brings extensive corporate administrative experience; Laurie Proulx from Ottawa works for the federal government in the area of human resources; Louise Bergeron lives in Montreal and is an experienced arthritis advocate with a background in communications; and Marcel Ruest from Quebec City has recently retired from municipal government administration. They join our dedicated and experienced returning SC , (from West to East) Colleen Maloney, B.C.; Anne Dooley, SK; Corrie Billedeau, MB; Mary Kim, ON; Linda Wilhelm, NB. And Colleen Murray, PEI. For more information click here .

In November the CAPA Steering Committee reviewed CAPA's accomplishments over the past year and refined the Strategic Plan for 2006. The number of CAPA members becoming actively involved in projects and advocacy issues is growing; our participation in workshops, conferences, committees and on advisory panels is escalating and, we are increasingly recognized as an effective and leading consumer-health advocacy organization throughout Canada and internationally.

The Strategic Plan for 2006 reflects the strengthening voice of Canadians living with arthritis. To our existing sub-committees, we have added an additional two: one on Pain, and the other on Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). AS is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects more men than women, is painful and can cruelly deform and disable. Health Canada has approved a biologic drug that is effective in treating severe AS, however this indication has not been added to provincial drug formularies across Canada for patients in need. As we are establishing both these committees now, the SC requests those with experience and interest in AS, or in Pain Issues to contact any member. We also invite you to contact us should you be interested in any of our other sub-committees, e.g. Access to Home Care and Specialties; Juvenile Arthritis; Research Issues; and Communications. (2006 Strategic Plan) We welcome your interest.

Finally, I'd like to say a personal word of thanks to Ann Qualman who was instrumental in establishing CAPA and who has provided such inspired leadership since we came together as fledgling arthritis advocates. I could never walk in her shoes. Ann has graciously agreed to provide me with her wisdom and advice. I'm grateful. Thank you, Ann, for all that you've done.