Polaris – WONCA’s newest Young Doctor Movement

North America region young doctors.

Since its inception, WONCA has promoted various supportive environments for junior family medicine or general practice physicians. Such backing became even more evident with the introduction of regional young doctors' movements (YDM), the first being the Vasco da Gama Movement in 2005. Since then, each region has slowly but surely adopted its own version of the YDM – all regions except North America.

Several barriers, including strong national family physician academies, large distances, and limited knowledge of WONCA’s existence, stood in the way of such a movement in this part of the world. Initial interest after the 2010 WONCA World Conference in Cancun generated momentum for a North American YDM; however, the aforementioned barriers proved too formidable at the time.

At the 2013 WONCA World Conference in Prague, a renewed energy and desire for a North American YDM emerged. Furthermore, the timing for such a Movement proved perfect, secondary to continued global interconnectivity and the need for improved healthcare systems – among many other factors. The generation of physicians entering the profession today reached maturity in an increasingly globalized world where junior physicians more than ever want to "think globally and act locally."

With key support from the Caribbean, American, and Canadian professional family physician associations as well as the WONCA North America Regional President, Dr Ruth Wilson, the region will launch its WONCA North America YDM in a strategic manner on May 19 – World Family Doctor Day.

The Movement’s formal name is Polaris, representing the brightest stellar body in the celestial sky seen by all those within the Northern Hemisphere. This star has served to lead travelers and seafarers during their journeys for centuries.

As generation gives way to generation, it is our hope that the Polaris and all YDMs together can help guide the profession forward into a bright future.

Kyle Hoedebecke, MD and John Parks, MD
for more information contact Kyle; khoedebecke@gmail.com
Polaris – North America region Young Doctors' Movement