Updated May 7, 2025
Congratulations to the physicians who’ve received the following awards in 2025, which highlight the notable contributions of physicians in their communities.
If you’ve recently received an award, please let us know by emailing Cara Simpson.
Spring 2025
Dr Stacy Cabage (Prince George)—My Family Doctor Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Dr Cabage grew up in Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. She moved to Canada in 1992 to work alongside the Ulkatcho and Lhoosk’uz Dene First Nations. She was accepted into the Northern Medical Program in 2009, fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a family physician, and achieving her master’s degree in health sciences. Her nominators noted that Dr Cabage “provides excellent patient care in a region where physicians can be scarce”, “her willingness to learn and grow with me as someone on a challenging journey far exceeds treatment I have had with any other medical practitioner,” and that she is “truly invested in supporting her journeys through their health care journeys.”
Dr Kathleen Cadenhead—Silver Medal of Service (Doctors of BC)
Dr Kathleen Cadenhead has always had a keen interest in nutrition, obtaining a degree in dietetics and nutrition before entering medicine. Through her work as Chair of the Nutrition Committee, a subcommittee of Doctors of BC’s Council on Health Promotion (COHP), Dr Cadenhead made outstanding contributions to the nutritional welfare of British Columbians—including improving food literacy in schools, supporting education around fad diets, and increasing regulations around energy drinks in the province. A family doctor for more than 35 years, Dr Cadenhead is a University of British Columbia Department of Family Practice Clinical Associate Professor who has taught and mentored students and residents for decades.
Dr Sahil Chawla—R2 Resident Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Dr Sahil Chawla is a Family Medicine Resident at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Abbotsford site. He pursued family medicine for its emphasis on continuity, prevention, and community-rooted care. As co-lead of CanAm Health, he has organized culturally tailored blood pressure and diabetes screening drives at gurdwaras, mosques, and mandirs across the Fraser Valley—screening over 500 individuals and facilitating timely follow-up for newly identified cases. He also leads monthly health talks for South Asian elders, helping address gaps in preventative health literacy around chronic diseases, women’s health, and mental wellness.
Dr Danette Dawkin—BC Family Physician of the Year (BC College of Family Physicians)
As a leader in rural healthcare, Dr. Dawkin has served as President of BC Family Doctors and has been instrumental in improving healthcare policies and physician support systems. She has played a key role in negotiating physician funding models and advocating for sustainable healthcare practices, ensuring equitable access to quality care, particularly in underserved communities. Dr Dawkin lives on the unceded, ancestral territories of the Lheidli T’enneh and Necoslie nations of Northern BC.
Dr Jacqueline Erickson—Dr David M Bachop Silver Medal (Doctors of BC)
Dr Jacqueline Erickson, a family physician at the North Island Medical Clinic, was awarded the Dr David M Bachop Silver Medal in general medical practice from Doctors of BC. Dr Erickson completed her medical school education with the University of British Columbia (UBC) in the Southern Medical Program. Following a move to Campbell River, where she completed her family practice residency training, she developed a keen interest in addiction medicine. She is collaborating with a colleague to establish a sustainable addiction medicine service for rural communities in the North Island.
Dr Renee Fernandez—Calvin L. Gutkin Family Medicine Ambassador Award
Dr Renee Fernandez received the 2024 Calvin L. Gutkin Family Medicine Ambassador Award from the College of Family Physicians of Canada for her role in helping to create the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model in BC. This award recognizes a dynamic leader in Canadian family medicine who is distinguished by their vision, innovation, strong communication skills, and effective relationship building with national and international organizations and working groups that support and positively influence the ever-changing role of the family physician and family medicine in Canada.
Dr Caitlin Finnamore—R2 Resident Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Dr Caitlin Finnamore is a second-year family medicine resident in the University of British Columbia (UBC) Vancouver Fraser program. She completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at Simon Fraser University before attending medical school at UBC. Her early work in health research focused on supporting older adults in the community, which sparked her passion for long-term, relationship-based care. She is also engaged in community advocacy through her role as the Resident Advisor for the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice.
Dr Chelsea Hart—First Five Years of Practice Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Dr Chelsea Hart completed medical school in Prince George in 2019 and graduated from Nanaimo Family Medicine Residency Program in 2021. Her work includes family practice, working in the ER at Creston Hospital, rounding on admitted patients, spending time at the addiction clinic in Cranbrook, and providing care at Ktunaxa Nation Medical Clinic. The awards nominators note her “passion for teaching and supporting the next generation of rural physicians.”
Dr Bruce Hobson—Silver Medal of Service (Doctors of BC)
Dr Bruce Hobson’s work has been described as “extraordinarily impactful”, including more than 30 years of longitudinal family medicine in Powell River and the establishment of the qathet Division of Family Practice—with 10 years served on its board. Dr Hobson’s work championing health information technology has seen him play an integral role in the development and the evolution of the Physician Data Collaborative, along with the Health Data Coalition (HDC), where he became Medical Director. He is also involved in the Practice Support Program, Doctors Technology Office, and the Shared Care Committee’s child and youth programs.
Dr Joanne Irwin (Vancouver)—My Family Doctor Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Dr Joanne Irwin was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario and attended Queen’s University, where she completed a B.Sc. in Life Sciences (1985), Masters in Anatomy (1987), and M.D. (1989). She headed to the University of British Columbia for the Family Practice Residency (1991) and stayed, spending the past 34 years enjoying the full scope of family medicine. She has enjoyed working on committees at Vancouver General Hospital and BC Women’s as well as being Medical Director for Well Health—Point Grey.
Dr Nimeera Kassam (Burnaby)—My Family Doctor Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Born in Tanzania, Dr Nimeera Kassam immigrated to Canada and dreamt of becoming a doctor. She received her MD from the University of British Columbia, completing her family medicine residency at the University of Alberta. Since 2003, Dr Kassam has been providing primary care in the Burnaby, including long-term care. She has been a board member of the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice. In 2023, she took on the role of Interim Regional Medical Director, Primary Care, Fraser Health. Dr Kassam also provides longitudinal care at the Port Moody Urgent and Primary Care Centre, where she serves as Medical Director.
Dr Salina Kung—R2 Resident Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Dr Salina Kung is an R2 resident at the UBC Surrey-South Fraser site who loves full-scope family practice and maternity care. Dr Kung completed her undergraduate studies at Simon Fraser University and was a convocation speaker and recipient of the Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence. While completing her medical degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC), she co-organized UBC’s first MedZero family medicine conference for over 200 medical students and co-founded a volunteer program that reduced social isolation among older adults during the pandemic. Dr Kung continues advancing patient care through research with the UBC Perinatal Anxiety Research Lab and enhancing medical education with the UBC Postgraduate Education Committee.
Dr Bin K. Lim—Silver Medal of Service (Doctors of BC)
Dr Bin K. Lim’s exceptional contributions to family practice and emergency medicine are underpinned by his dedication to excellence and commitment in providing compassionate care to his patients. During his career at St. Paul’s Hospital Emergency department, Dr Lim demonstrated outstanding skills, clinical knowledge, and a remarkable bedside manner—earning him the respect and admiration of colleagues and patients alike.
Dr Tracy Monk—Silver Medal of Service (Doctors of BC)
A generalist family physician for more than 35 years, Dr Tracy Monk has worked with Doctors of BC in many capacities, from serving on the Family Practice Services Committee to chairing the Health Data Coalition Clinical Data Stewardship Committee. Dr Monk is a past president of the Society of General Practitioners (now BC Family Doctors) and a board member of the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice. She was part of the contingent that developed and implemented Pathways, a first-of-its-kind online clinical and referral tool for physicians in BC and the Yukon, and she is currently its physician lead.
Dr Christopher O' Grady—Dr. Manoo and Jean Gurjar Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Dr Christopher O’Grady is a second-year University of British Columbia Family Medicine resident at the St. Paul’s Hospital site. Dr. O’Grady was drawn to family medicine because of the opportunity to develop longitudinal relationships and advocate. Dr O’Grady returned to the West Coast for residency after completing medical school at Dalhousie University in Halifax. As a resident physician, Dr. O’Grady is grateful to have been placed with his home clinic of 3 Bridges, as well as to have completed electives with the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society, the Columbia Street Clinic, the Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op, and the Trans Specialty Clinic among others.
Dr Harwood Reimer (Duncan)—My Family Doctor Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Born and raised in Abbotsford, Dr. Harwood Reimer obtained his medical education at UBC, followed by a Family Medicine Residency at the Calgary Foothills Hospital. He married and moved with his fellow family physician wife to Duncan. He has spent over 33 years devoting himself to full-service family practice, including sports medicine, providing comprehensive and compassionate care to his community. He is recognized as “professional, knowledgeable, patient, humble.”
Dr Kathleen Ross—Dr David M Bachop Gold Medal
Dr Kathleen Ross was awarded the Dr David M Bachop Gold Medal from Doctors of BC, which recognizes a BC doctor who has made an extraordinary contribution in the field of organized medicine and/or community service. Dr Ross is a past president of Doctors of BC, and more recently, the Canadian Medical Association. She has served as Physician Lead and chair since inception of Pathways, an indispensable online clinical and referral tool for physicians in BC and the Yukon and is a founding member and Physician Lead for the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice.
Dr Yousef Shahin—Dr Manoo and Jean Gurjar Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Dr Yousef Shahin is a first-year resident at the Kelowna Rural Family Practice Program. He chose family medicine to specialize in providing primary care services, especially for marginalized and underserved populations. He is the first resident to train at the Outreach Urban Health in Kelowna as his home clinic—a multidisciplinary centre that cares for patients living with substance use disorders. Yousef has also led the qualitative evaluation of a specialized community-based facility that improves access to antimicrobial therapy for persons living with addictions.
Dr Kyle Stevens (Summerland)—My Family Doctor Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Summerland’s Dr Kyle Stevens is a passionate cyclist and Nordic skier who brings the same energy and dedication to his medical practice. Since 2005, he has worked extensively with individuals facing addiction, including providing methadone services and supporting patients with complex needs. With a strong focus on mental health, Dr Stevens has served as the South Okanagan “GP Champion” for FPSC’s Practice Support Program in both adult and child and youth mental health.
Dr William Mak—First Five Years of Practice Award (BC College of Family Physicians)
Dr William Mak is a dedicated and compassionate family doctor and addiction medicine consultant. He was the inaugural CARMS Category 1 Resident for Addiction Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he also served as the co-lead resident for all UBC Enhanced Skills residents. Dr. Mak is also valued as an excellent mentor and leader in his diverse roles. He regularly teaches at UBC and BC Centre on Substance Use and leads quality improvement projects through Shared Care and the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice. In his pursuit to create change in the full spectrum of substance use care, Dr. Mak serves in medical lead capacities for Fraser Health, the Provincial Health Services Authority, and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Winter 2025
Dr Renee Fernandez—Calvin L. Gutkin Family Medicine Ambassador Award
Dr Renee Fernandez received the 2024 Calvin L. Gutkin Family Medicine Ambassador Award from the College of Family Physicians of Canada for her role in helping to create the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model in BC. This award recognizes a dynamic leader in Canadian family medicine who is distinguished by their vision, innovation, strong communication skills, and effective relationship building.
Dr Kathleen Cadenhead—Silver Medal of Service
Dr Kathleen Cadenhead, who works at Oakridge Medical in Vancouver, was awarded the Silver Medal of Service Award from Doctors of BC. A family doctor for more than 35 years, Dr Cadenhead has a keen interest in nutrition and has made outstanding contributions to the nutritional welfare of British Columbians—including improving food literacy in schools, supporting education around fad diets, and increasing regulations around energy drinks in the province.
Dr Jacqueline Erickson—Dr David M Bachop Silver Medal
Dr Jacqueline Erickson, a family physician at the North Island Medical Clinic, was awarded the Dr David M Bachop Silver Medal in general medical practice from Doctors of BC. Dr Erickson completed her medical school education with UBC, in the Southern Medical Program. Following a move to Campbell River, where she completed her family practice residency training, she developed a keen interest in Addiction Medicine and is collaborating with a colleague to establish a sustainable addiction medicine service for rural communities in the North Island.
Dr Bruce Hobson—Silver Medal of Service
Dr Bruce Hobson was recognized by Doctors of BC with the Silver Medal of Service for his “extraordinarily impactful” body of work over the past four decades. His efforts have included more than 30 years of longitudinal family medicine in Powell River and the establishment of the qathet Division of Family Practice—with 10 years served on its Board. His work in championing health information technology has seen him play an integral role in the development and the evolution of the Physician Data Collaborative, along with the Health Data Coalition (HDC), where he became Medical Director.
Dr Bin K. Lim—Silver Medal of Service
Dr Bin K. Lim was awarded a Doctors of BC with a Silver Medal of Service for his “exceptional contributions to Family Practice and Emergency Medicine.” During his career at St. Paul's Hospital Emergency department, Dr Lim demonstrated outstanding skills, clinical knowledge, and a remarkable bedside manner—earning him the respect and admiration of colleagues and patients alike.
Dr Tracy Monk—Silver Medal of Service
Dr Tracy Monk was awarded a Silver Medal of Service by Doctors of BC. A past president of the Society of General Practitioners (now BC Family Doctors), Dr Monk was part of the contingent that developed and implemented Pathways, a first-of-its-kind online clinical and referral tool for physicians in BC and the Yukon and is currently its physician lead.
Dr Kathleen Ross, Dr David M Bachop Gold Medal
Dr Kathleen Ross was awarded the Dr David M Bachop Gold Medal from Doctors of BC, which recognizes a BC doctor who has made an extraordinary contribution in the field of organized medicine and/or community service. Dr Ross is a past president of Doctors of BC, and more recently, the Canadian Medical Association. She has served as Physician Lead and chair since inception of Pathways, an indispensable online clinical and referral tool for physicians in BC and the Yukon and is a founding member and Physician Lead for the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice.