Meet the New CPSM Council President-Elect, Dr. Charles Penner

Dr. Charles Penner formally assumed the position of President-Elect at our AGM on June 28.

When and why did you first join CPSM Council?

I joined CPSM Council in June 2020 after being elected for the West district of Manitoba. At the time I was looking for new challenges. I have had many different roles in the health system, including front-line provider, chief medical officer (leadership in operations), associate dean (leadership in education), as well as being on Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC) board of directors. Participating in the regulation of the profession would further broaden my horizons and provide me with a way of serving in a different way.

As a Councillor, you have been involved with some Working Groups. What perspective has being a part of CPSM working groups brought you?

I have worked with the Virtual Medicine working group. Participating in the working group enhanced my understanding of the process of consultation with our registrants and the public. It introduced me to the complexity of setting standards for physicians and the necessity to listen and revisit decisions.

What do you look forward to accomplishing on Council in the next year?

I am particularly interested in the work toward Truth and Reconciliation that is guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Advisory Circle. I look forward to making progress on the action plan for the next year. A project I’m currently involved with is the prescribing practices groups of policies that registrants will learn more about soon; I look forward to seeing it in completion.

Another area of interest for me in the next year is exploring ways we can make the complaints process more user-friendly for both the population we serve as well as for the physicians.

What are some of your career highlights and/or achievements?

I have many highlights in my career including practicing respiratory and intensive care medicine in Manitoba, B.C., and in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The experience in the middle east both in terms of practice complexity and in cultural experience was very rewarding.

I have had a chance to be a chief medical officer on three different occasions. The first was in Brandon from 2005-2012, then in an interim capacity for Prairie Mountain Health in 2021, and currently, for the Interlake-Eastern Health Authority for the last 15 months.  This is challenging but important work. Implementing positive changes for enhancing care for our population and creating a better work environment for physicians and other healthcare providers is rewarding.  

I am particularly proud of being the inaugural Associate Dean of the Brandon Satellite campus for the University of Manitoba from 2013-2022 and the campus and programs that have been developed there.  

Is there anything else you would like to share with CPSM registrants about yourself or Council?

I would like to encourage registrants to consider participating in the work of CPSM to protect the public. There is much to learn and contribute to. We need thoughtful diverse viewpoints to make sure the work we do is as effective as possible and meets our mandate to protect the public.