DFCM Response to COVID-19

Dear colleagues,

While the risk of contracting COVID-19 currently remains low for the general public, the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine feels it is imperative to keep our primary care workforce and the patients we serve healthy. Out of respect for our crucial roles in response to this virus, DFCM leadership has decided to postpone or cancel all in-person events until the end of the academic year: June 30, 2020.

These events include our 50^th Anniversary Thank You Event, our DFCM Conference, our 2020 Residency Graduation and our Faculty Awards Event, among several others.

For those who have already registered for events, you will be issued cancellation notices and refunds for these events separately over the coming few days. Within those notices, please note if the event has been postponed or moved online.

During this time, to ensure we keep business operating as close to normal as possible, we are encouraging our central DFCM leaders to use online meeting software to conduct committee and other meetings. We are also encouraging them to make plans in the case that they or their staff may need to work remotely. If you need assistance with these items, please email ict.dfcm@utoronto.ca. Please note that we will try to return your inquiry in a timely fashion; however, please be patient as our staff do their best to respond to a large number of inquiries.

This cancellation notice is for DFCM-centrally hosted events – we continue to monitor the situation and follow the advice of the University of Toronto, the Faculty of Medicine and our partners for other matters, including MD, Residency and Graduate Studies education. Please see the Faculty of Medicine website for further information: https://medicine.utoronto.ca/news/coronavirus-your-safety-and-responsibility

While we are disappointed to miss these events, we recognize our family doctors and primary care professionals are on the frontlines of care – it is our primary responsibility to keep you, your colleagues and your patients safe. We appreciate your understanding during this difficult time.

If you have any questions, please contact dfcm.communications@utoronto.ca

Thank you,

Dr. David Tannenbaum

Interim Chair, Department of Family and Community Medicine

University of Toronto