Sometimes system change starts with people, not policies. In Surrey-North Delta, creating space for authentic connection between Family Physicians and Community Health Nurses has built trust, teamwork, and lasting relationships—transforming how older adults with complex needs experience care and helping them thrive safely at home.
New family physicians in rural communities often face professional isolation and complex systems. Learn more about how the East Kootenay New to Practice Physician Network, launched in 2023 with JCC funding, is working to address these challenges by offering mentorship, peer support, and skill-building opportunities.
Urgent appointments are being dealt with more appropriately—in clinic rather than hospital—in Central Saanich thanks to the physician quality improvement project led by family physician Dr Sienna Bourdon.
Dr Bourdon noticed that Saanich Peninsula Hospital emergency room (ER) was being overwhelmed in 2022-23, with more than 1,000 patient visits for medical issues that could potentially have been treated at the Shoreline Medical clinics.
The Ridge Meadows Division of Family Practice (Division) recently hosted BC’s Health Minister Josie Osborne to celebrate the work and collaboration happening in the community’s health care system.
On April 25th, partners and staff presented work the Division is leading to improve health care locally, as well as practice supports to retain physicians, funding partnerships, and strategies to enhance physician recruitment and enable patient attachment.
On May 19, we proudly celebrate World and BC Family Doctor Day. A time to recognize the incredible work of family physicians across our province.
We are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to delivering high-quality patient care. Amid ongoing changes and challenges, you remain steadfast in your commitment and dedication to your patients, continually going above and beyond to care for them and their families.
Dr Sand Russell-Atkinson knows the value of a good coach.
The Comox family physician sought help from FPSC’s Practice Support Program (PSP) last year for panel maintenance ahead of a quality improvement project on congestive heart failure.
The support has helped to keep her on track, focus on relevant goals of practice improvement, and stay accountable, Dr Russell-Atkinson says.
Dr Brenda Hefford knows first-hand the value of collaboration and connection.
This approach to leadership has served Dr. Hefford well over the past 20 years during a journey in which she championed primary care in BC’s health care system.
Now after nearly 11 years at Doctors of BC, Dr Hefford has retired from her role as the Doctors of BC vice-president for physician affairs and community practice, with the intent of slowing down and focusing more on enhancing her clinical practice.
Dr Kevin Martin is the newest Doctors of BC appointee to the Family Practice Services Committee.
Pictured above: Right to left, Dr. Greg Linton, President and Chair, Pacific Northwest Division of Family Practice, Physician Co-Lead, CHANGE BC, MaryLou McKay, Nisga'a Elder and CHANGE BC Advisor, Dr. Robert Boushel, Professor and Director, UBC School of Kinesiology, and Laurie Flood, President, Metabolic Syndrome Canada.
Dr Janice Wong is committed to ensuring health and safety in her clinic.
A family physician at Vancouver’s Woodland Family Practice, she received help through the Community Physician Health and Safety Program, a new initiative funded in partnership between Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health and managed by SWITCH BC, which stands for Safety, Wellbeing, Innovation, Training and Collaboration in Healthcare.