Dr. Barb Konstantynowicz, a family physician from Regina, becomes the 54th president of the SMA. She succeeds Dr. Allan Woo, a Saskatoon orthopaedic surgeon. She was elected during the Saskatchewan Medical Association Assembly held virtually, yesterday.

Dr. Konstantynowicz says the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on physicians and the health care system will be her main priority focusing on lessons that can be learned in a changing health care landscape. She will continue Dr. Woo’s work in developing practicioner bylaws with the Saskatchewan Health Authority as well as negotiating a new contract with the province. Their agreement expired March 31st, 2017.

But the SMA isn’t immune to other non-medical issues and Dr. Konstantynowicz says she will also work on addressing racism within the medical community.