Building Our Community: Physicians Caring for Ourselves and Each Other 

Location: Ecology Retreat Centre Hockley Valley
              308046 Hockley Road, Mono ON L9W 6N2

Facilitators: MDPAC Committee/Members, Clayton Shirt and Beth Foster

 

Purpose and Nature of Retreat:

This is our annual physician self-care retreat which will be primarily facilitated by MDPAC committee/members with two modules facilitated by outside experts.  The committee/member  facilitators are not experts but psychotherapists who have a keen interest and expertise in their particular modalities.  Our focus will be on experiential practices that build resilience that are relevant for physicians as well as to create a space to share and care for each other.

 

FRIDAY 

Friday Evening 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Land Acknowledgement with George Lewis

Native Spirit Journey

Clayton Shirt is a native elder, traditional knowledge practitioner of holistic health and wellness, lecturer, educator and historian associated with the U of T Dalla Lana School of Public Health.  Clayton will provide the opportunity for each of us to bring ourselves forward in our unique journey and to find our intentions through the ceremony of smudging and the Eagle feather.

Objective:  To create a sacred space for us and to invite the Spirit to help us on our self care journey in the context of our community.  The definition of healing is,  ‘ To be fully seen by another’.

 

SATURDAY

Saturday Morning 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Experiential Workshop in Pranayama Breathwork and Other Breathing Practices with Heidi Walk

This workshop explores the calming and transformative powers of pranayama more commonly known as yogic breathing practices. Participants will learn and practice various breathwork techniques to enhance self-awareness, emotional release, mental clarity and physiological balance. These breathing practices allow for access to altered states of consciousness, promote deep healing, and reduce stress.

 

Saturday Afternoon 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Forest Bathing with Beth Foster

 

Saturday Night 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Poetry and Sound with George Lewis

The focus of our time together this weekend is on our self-care.  So often as physicians we are ‘there’ for our patients.  Saturday evening is a chance to be there for ourselves and each other.

Objective:  To celebrate our own unique self-care journeys via our own words, music and poems.

 

SUNDAY

Sunday Morning 9:00 - 10:30 am

Sensing and Creating with Improv Skills with Cathy Cameron

Let’s end this weekend of sensing and connecting with playtime!  Evidence continues to accumulate suggesting that improvisational skills are an effective tool for personal development, growth and developing our professional (CANMEDS) roles.  Improv can help develop skills such as emotional intelligence, mental flexibility, communication, and leadership skills.  We will explore some of the basic principles and experience them in action in a playful and supportive environment.  No experience is necessary and there is no requirement to be ‘funny’.

Objectives:

Describe the origins of modern improvisational theatre.

Describe the “yes, and…” principle from improv theatre and how it relates to personal and professional settings.

Learn one or more skills that can be practised and continue to develop in personal and professional (CANMEDS roles) settings.

 

Sunday Morning 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Wrap up and integration of modules, shared experiences and feedback on the weekend.

 

 

 

Limited to 22 participants.

Non-physician partners are welcome to attend and share a room.

COVID COMPLIANCE: Participants must agree to comply with Ontario Public Health Guidelines and to follow the systems and protocols in place at the venue.

 

 

MDPAC Accreditation

Approved for 12.5 hours of MDPAC Group CE credits and 2 hours of MDPAC CCI credits

 

Cancellation

Cancellation by registrants must be received by September 1 2025 for a full refund. Cancellations received between September 1 and September 28 will receive a refund less a $50 admin fee. Refunds received after October 1 and no shows will be responsible to pay the full fee.

If the event is cancelled by MDPAC or the Centre due to restrictions imposed by Ontario Public Health Guidelines, all registration fees will be refunded in full.

 

Registration

Registration fee includes full program fees, single room and meals

MDPAC MEMBERS 

$650 Early bird fee (Before July 1 2025)
$700 Late fee

NON-MEMBERS
$725