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Dr. Karl Misik has been active in
medical politics for three decades, serving on committees and the
board of the NLMA and CMA. This past month, the busy St. John’s
family physician retired from committee work. Recently, Dr. Misik
answered a few questions about his 30 years of service to the
medical profession.
When did
you first get involved in medical politics? Describe your medical
political career with the NLMA and the CMA.
In November 1973, the late Mr. Gerry
Lynch called me to see whether I might serve on an ad hoc finance
committee. I was honored to be asked and accepted. Since then I
served on the NLMA board twice, been a member of the executive and,
in 1995, became president-elect. In my career with the NLMA, I also
served on a number of committees, including finance, allocations,
health policy and economics, and negotiations.
When Dr. Norman Lush asked me to
serve as president-elect, I was honored to accept, even though it
was at a very stressful time in my life. This was one of the highest
honors your profession can bestow on you and I couldn’t refuse. I
began my presidency by making Atlantic parity for physicians in this
province my focus. It took five more years for us to achieve that
goal and, unfortunately, it took a job action to make government
finally listen.
After sitting on the executive for
another year as past-president, I was chosen to represent our
division at the highest medical board of the country, the Canadian
Medical Association. I was not new to the CMA, having gone to
General Council almost every year. I also was chair of the
nominating committee for two years and was very proud to bring more
female doctors to the board and to invite Dr. John Haggie to join
the executive, which turned out the best decision of all.
WHat
prompted your continued involvement with the NLMA and CMA? Why are
you retiring now?
I really enjoyed medical politics
and fighting to make a difference in this province for our
profession. My raison d'etre was always to fight for a national fee
schedule because, after all, Medicare is a national program. This
never came to be and was always soundly defeated at General Council.
I believe very strongly that if we had a national fee schedule we
would not have the poor distribution of scare physician resources
across the country as we have now.
When I heard recently that the NLMA
was planning a reorganization and revitalization of committees, I
thought that this would be a good time to let the younger generation
shape our future. And so I ended where I began, with the finance
committee.
What do
you consider to be your most significant accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment was to sow
the seeds of Atlantic parity during my presidency. It took several
more years before the profession was ready to walk the talk and gain
parity.
How
well are we doing? Evaluate the ongoing advocacy efforts of the NLMA
and CMA?
I believe that there is a new
confidence in the profession, we are united and from now on no
government will pay us lip service. I must give all the credit to
our leadership and staff at NLMA and, in particular, to the strong
leadership of our executive director, Mr. Rob Ritter.
The CMA has reached out to the
membership in terms of advocacy and has been rewarded by increased
membership.
What
advice would you give to a physician interested in becoming involved
in medical politics?
Don’t be afraid to say yes if asked
to serve. It could lead to a lot of benefits for the profession and
for the individual. If you have beefs don't criticize, get involved.
I have had a wonderful experience —
a lot of ups and a lot of downs, but I have made hundreds of
friends, too numerous to mention. Thanks all for a tremendous 30
years. |
