Celebrating our staff

From programs, funds and events that support your health, education, and professional life, to the EMR system in your office, to the communications that keep you abreast of health-care developments and celebrate your medical community – dedicated SMA staff are at the heart of it all, working to support you. In this special feature, we recognize the achievements and milestones that our staff have reached in 2021, and give you the opportunity to get to know them a little better.

Ed Hobday | Celebrating 51 years of service

Administrative Director

At 51 years with the SMA and counting, Ed Hobday knows the organization and its physicians better than anyone else. From the time the SMA staff was just five people including himself working in a small four-room house on 25th Street, to its current staff complement over 50, Ed has spent the last five decades listening attentively to the needs and concerns of physicians and advocating on their behalf.

When he came to the SMA in March 1970, Ed was welcomed by Dr. Ernie Baergen, the SMA’s Executive Secretary at the time and its first CEO as his partner – a working relationship that Ed viewed more as an apprenticeship. Under Ernie’s tutelage he was able to become knowledgeable on the full range of issues and activities that the SMA was engaged in and grew into the person that physicians across Saskatchewan would come to rely on as their most ardent supporter and trusted advisor.

Ed says, “The core of my role (as administrative director) is to provide advice and advocate on behalf of physicians. This might be assisting an individual physician with an issue related to their specific practice, or involved with others in negotiating on behalf of either a group of physicians or the entire membership.”

During his many years with the organization, Ed has seen a great deal of change, such as an increased shift away from fee-for-service practice, and increased administration of the health-care system resulting from the creation of health authorities. He notes one thing that remains constant however, is “physicians’ singular focus on their patients’ well-being” – something Ed has long admired. A positive change he has seen in more recent years that he considers equally important is “physicians’ recognition of the need to make time for themselves” and look after their own well-being too.

Ed is known around the office for the ever-present spring in his step, ready smile, and the energy that powers him to be persistent in advocating for the physicians of Saskatchewan – all the while viewing his work with the SMA as a privilege. This energy doesn’t let up when Ed leaves for the day, though. When he is not in the office you can likely find him at a local rink playing hockey – a passion that has stayed with him since his university days playing for the U of S Huskies. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, Colleen, on their acreage where there is always plenty to do to keep him busy.

Wendy Boucher | Celebrating 15 years of service

Executive Assistant to Board & Executive Office

After 14 years working as an executive assistant at the British Columbia Medical Association in Vancouver Wendy Boucher was facing a cancer diagnosis. She wanted to be closer to family during this time so decided to move to Saskatoon where she transitioned smoothly into the same role at the SMA, working for Martin Vogel, who was then the CEO.

Over the past 15 years at the SMA Wendy has worked for three different CEOs and one interim CEO – in addition to supporting the board, Representative Assembly, and human resources at various times. At present she is the executive assistant to the board and the current CEO, Bonnie Brossart who is not just her mentor but someone who has become a lifelong friend. Her exceptional organizational skills have not only kept a generation of CEO’s on track but also made SMA staff operations more efficient through her design of SMA workspaces.

Wendy deeply appreciates the physicians and staff she works with, and the friendships that have grown over time. “Over the years I have gotten to know many physicians and staff that have become an important part of my life. The work is always changing and is always interesting.”

When she isn’t working, Wendy’s life is consumed by being a mom to her busy and active son. Together they fill their time with biking, playing sports, watching movies, and feeding their mutual popcorn addiction. With any time left over Wendy shares her talent for organization with friends and takes on projects to help organize their homes.

Jane Hickson | Celebrating 11 years of service

Process Improvement Specialist

Upon starting work at the SMA in 2008, Jane Hickson quickly realized she had found what she’d been looking for. Over her 11 years at the SMA Jane has seen many changes, both to her role and to the organization.

“I’ve seen the staff numbers increase, technology used to perform our duties improve, and improved relationships with medical learners and physicians. And, of course, the new building we work in.”

Jane began as an administrative assistant supporting the Committee on Rural and Regional Practice and the Specialist Recruitment and Retention Committee. After several progressively more senior roles, she became Process Improvement Specialist, where she is currently leading the transition of SMA document management to SharePoint Online.

Jane derives a great deal of satisfaction from her work, and especially appreciates the opportunity to support and get to know Saskatchewan’s physicians. She has made many friends over her time at the SMA and values these relationships. She recently experienced a personal health crisis and is deeply grateful for the support she received from the physicians she has come to know over the years, and from the SMA.

In her downtime Jane, a self-described homebody, enjoys working with her hands creating jewelry, sewing, and crocheting elaborate and intricate projects. Jane and her husband also love to travel – anywhere warm usually fits the bill, or anywhere their four wheels and an open stretch of highway can take them.

Delilah Dueck | Celebrating 10 years of service

Coordinator, Community Engagement

Delilah Dueck joined the SMA 10 years ago after taking extended time away from working outside the home to raise her two children. Her youngest was starting school and the part-time receptionist position provided the opportunity to get to know the organization, its members, and to ease back into the workforce.

Ten years later, her role has evolved greatly. After transitioning through a couple of progressively more senior roles in other departments, Delilah is now the go-to person for the medical students and residents across Saskatchewan as they train and explore practice options in the province. As Coordinator of Community Engagement in the Communications & Community Engagement department, Delilah supports the medical learner community and helps them build lasting relationships and explore practice opportunities through the SMA’s Roadmap Program. In addition, she coordinates the SMA’s in-house CMA Physician Leadership Institute courses, sponsorship requests, and plays a supportive role in the SMA’s Acknowledgement and Random Acts of Recognition programs.

Delilah brims over with enthusiasm when she speaks about her students and residents, and judging from all the thank-you cards and smiling student faces that beam out from photos on her office walls, the feeling is mutual. “The SMA is very much my second family,” Delilah said. “Some of my closest friends are my co-workers and members that I have met through the SMA over the past 10 years. The laughter and camaraderie among us bring so much joy to my life and work. I value all the relationships that I have built and will continue to build going forward.”

When Delilah isn’t focusing on engaging with members, she loves spending time laughing, sharing a good meal, and having great conversations with “her people” – many of whom are also part of her SMA family. Her interests are diverse and include “anything in life that makes me smile” from her love of animals to lake life, travel, farming, and meeting new people.

Bonnie Brossart | Celebrating 6 years of service

Chief Executive Officer

Since January 2015, CEO, Bonnie Brossart has spurred the SMA on to ever higher standards of excellence. Not one to sit still, Bonnie’s positive and supportive leadership, and passion for continuous improvement, are consistently reinforced with her persistent urging to imagine “even better if” of every project and situation.

Bonnie was attracted to the role because of her experiences working with physicians in her previous position as CEO of Saskatchewan’s Health Quality Council and, prior to that, as lead of the Chronic Disease Management Collaborative. Bonnie was inspired as she worked alongside close to 30% of the family physician workforce during this initiative and she hoped that her extensive health system relationships and experience would allow her to work with the SMA to “create a future where physicians across the province are meaningfully involved, integrally designing, and leading health system strategy and improvements” – a goal which she has inarguably met and continues to improve upon every day.

In her role as CEO she takes great joy from the team she works with and the opportunity to work closely with the board to “make a day in the life of a physician better.” She does this by building and supporting a strong and vibrant complement of SMA staff, fostering relationships with members and health system stakeholders, and by advancing the strategic direction of the board. She emphasizes that, “physicians must play a central role in designing and continuously improving the health care system.” She can’t believe that she’s nearing seven years with the SMA. “I continue to learn so much in this role. I’ve always said it’s a privilege to work on behalf of Saskatchewan physicians.”

When she is not at the SMA office, you can find her spending quality time with out at the lake with her husband, three adult sons and the family’s two yellow labs, Cooper and Maisie.

Priscilla Bam | Celebrating 5 years of service

Administrative Assistant, Physician Support Programs

After completing a temporary work placement as receptionist at the SMA, Priscilla Bam told herself, “I will one day return to work here as a permanent staff member should the opportunity present itself.” The culture at the SMA had made an impression. Two months later, it became reality as Priscilla joined the Physician Health Program team as administrative assistant.

Priscilla values being part of a program that offers encouragement and support to the medical community and their families during some of their most challenging times. She has thrived in the role, and in addition to administrative duties she has gained a great deal of understanding around diagnoses and ailments, basic triage assessments, tracking and understanding screening results.

During her time at the SMA she has seen the program grow to increase support for physicians in the southern half of the province with the addition of a Regina-based clinical coordinator, and has watched the number of members supported through the program increase steadily. Being a part of this work means a great deal to Priscilla and she values being a part of an organization that cares so much about its team as well as its members.

Outside of her work at the SMA, Priscilla enjoys spending time with her family – her husband, and two young children – as well as reading, cooking, baking and traveling.

Jason Loseth | Celebrating 5 years of service

Accounting Technician

Fresh out of business college and challenged to find a career in his field, Jason Loseth took work with a temp agency as he continued to search for something more permanent. This agency became the stepping stone to his five-year career (and counting) at the SMA when they offered him a placement in the Accounting department. The organization quickly recognized his value and welcomed him to a permanent position a few short weeks later. He has been a proud member of the SMA team ever since.

In his role as accounting technician he provides accounting services for the SMA’s key member funds including the Rural & Regional Incentives Fund, Specialist Recruitment & Retention Fund, Insurance Fund, and the Electronic Medical Records Fund, in addition to providing accounting support for SMA corporate and payroll.

He appreciates the variety in his work and the “big things” he has been able to be a part of as a member of the Accounting team, including the new CRM system currently underway. “As someone who is always thinking of ways to improve workflows and processes, I really appreciate the opportunities I’ve had at the SMA to innovate and contribute to various initiatives, and I look forward to many more in future,” he said.

As the father of two young children, Jason doesn’t have a lot of time just for himself, but when he finds some, he enjoys tearing down and rebuilding vintage motorcycles and restoring them to their former glory. He’s recently completed his first project – an old Suzuki – and hopes to begin another one soon. He also has a passion for woodworking and has built a number of custom furniture pieces for the family’s home. He particularly enjoys spending time with his family, and is looking forward taking his outdoorsy three-year-old daughter fishing, camping and hiking.

Charlene Koch | Celebrating 5 years of service

Practice Advisor, Saskatchewan EMR Program

When Charlene Koch joined the SMA in fall of 2015 it felt like a natural fit. She’d worked closely with physicians and clinics in her previous roles with the Ministry of Health and eHealth Saskatchewan and looked forward to doing so again.

As a Practice Advisor (PA) with the SMA EMR Program, Charlene enjoys working closely with physicians and their support staff to help them get more out of their EMR. Charlene does so by focusing on ways to increase efficiency in their EMR workflows within their practice.

Since Charlene started with the SMA, the EMR Program has shifted from its original goal of 80% clinic adoption of EMRs – a target it has met and exceeded – to EMR optimization and enhanced use. The SMA EMR Program’s Enhanced Use Program was developed in response to concerns voiced by physicians – concerns that they were spending too much time navigating the EMR, time that physicians would rather spend with patients. Charlene and the EMR team are dedicated to the support of physicians in making changes that allow the EMR to work for them.

On personal time, Charlene enjoys being with her family, especially her four grandchildren. Like most people, Charlene has found navigating the pandemic and its restrictions hard. None of Charlene’s grandchildren live in Regina. Now that the restrictions have been lifted and vaccines have become available, most of Charlene’s free time will be spent travelling to see her grandchildren. Charlene’s favorite ways to relax include fishing, putzing in the yard, and getting creative in the kitchen where she frequently tries out new recipes on her family and friends.

Ivan Muzychka | Celebrating 5 years of service

Director, Communications & Community Engagement

After spending most of his decades-long Communications career at large post-secondary institutions like Memorial University in Newfoundland and, more recently, the University of Saskatchewan, Ivan Muzychka was ready for a change. He wanted a smaller atmosphere and more relaxed pace. He got one of two when he joined the SMA in 2016 to lead what was then a two-person Communications department.

Five year later, his role has grown to Director of Communications & Community Engagement and his team has tripled in size. Under his creative, enthusiastic, and appreciative brand of leadership, he leads his team in fulfilling the SMA’s communications, marketing and community engagement needs. Through the organization’s web presence, media efforts, publications, and marketing campaigns, Ivan ensures physicians’ voices are heard and amplified where they can have the greatest impact. On the community engagement side, the team orchestrates events that provide physicians with the opportunity to engage with each other and the SMA, and administers a myriad of programs to support physician practice and wellbeing.

Ivan particularly values the “absolutely great group of people” on his team and loves the variety of opportunities that they take on together to help meet the needs of Saskatchewan physicians. “It is very rewarding to work for the physicians of this province. They are such a dedicated group of professionals and work so hard for their patients. They inspire me to work hard to support them in their amazing, often life-saving work!”

In his life outside of the SMA Ivan is an avid reader, with a passion for books that has transformed the basement of his home into his own personal library. When he isn’t reading one of the two or three books he typically has on the go, Ivan enjoys spending time with his wife and two grown daughters.

Marcel Nobert | Celebrating 5 years of service

Executive Director

After 12 years in health care leadership with various organizations, Marcel Nobert saw the working at the SMA as an opportunity to put his knowledge and experience in medical administration, finance and contract negotiations to good use for the benefit of Saskatchewan’s physicians. This role – with both broad responsibilities and a small family business-like atmosphere – was the best of both worlds.

In his role as executive director at the SMA he works with a dedicated team to deliver top-tier member benefits, insurance protection, support programs, and contract negotiation support. In addition he oversees the accounting and IT teams to ensure the SMA’s financial and informatics needs are well supported.

“I love the people, the small office atmosphere, and the diversity of work that cross my desk daily.” Marcel said. “It truly is a small organization with a very large mandate – never a dull moment.” He is particularly energized about the redesigned, integrated IT platform and various member service portals, which will reimagine the way the SMA supports its members. This two-year project is nearing fruition with a planned launch in fall 2021. Another landmark moment during his time at the SMA was the growth of the SMA to include an office in Regina which would house the local EMR contingent, as well as the expanded Physician Health Program. With a Regina base, the program can now provide more easily accessible clinical support for physicians in the southern half of the province.

Marcel’s interests are equally diverse outside of his professional life. In his down-time he enjoys playing live music with his band at venues around Saskatchewan, taking random Saskatchewan road trips, and watching his kids realize their goals through their various activities.