Honourary membership in The College of Family Physicians of Canada

Posted November 12, 2009

Carmen FreseCarmen Frese has been recognized with a honourary membership in The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) in recognition of her long-standing commitment to the discipline of family medicine and for her dedication to post-graduate education at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine.

“We are thrilled that Carmen has been given honourary membership. Carmen’s longstanding role as the post-graduate coordinator in family medicine means she has launched more new family doctors into communities throughout Alberta than anyone else,” says Dr. Cathy MacLean, head of the Department of Family Medicine , “her smile and enthusiasm for family medicine warms the hearts of her colleagues and residents alike.  We are very proud that she has been recognized by the College for her years of service in our department.”

Frese has been with the department for over 30 years, initially working as a medical secretary in the basement of the old Calgary General Hospital and later becoming the Program Coordinator for the Calgary General Hospital Program, one of three Family Medicine Programs in Calgary. When the three programs merged in the early 1990’s, she was appointed Program Coordinator for the combined program.

“I am honoured to receive this award and appreciate the recognition.  I have been fortunate to work with talented physicians and colleagues, who were pioneers and leaders in family medicine,” says Frese.  “Family Medicine provides a challenging and changing environment that has made my career rewarding and fulfilling.”Carmen Frese receives her honourary membership at the Family Medicine Forum in Calgary

Frese is a member of the Department Archive Committee and actively promotes family medicine. She is a member of the National Coordinators Group, and the Administrative Coordinator for the CFPC Certification Exam in Calgary.

The honourary membership recognizes physicians or members of the public who have made an outstanding contribution to the CFPC, the discipline of family medicine, the medical profession, or the health and wellbeing of the population.