Wellness is a top priority for VPSA and our members participate on two committees to ensure it is front and centre.

The Community Building & Wellness Task Group focuses on building our VPSA physician community both via networking events and through a focus on wellness and physician resiliency-building activities that are of interest to members. The team is also responsible for planning, coordinating and helping to execute all-member engagement events and a wide range of activities and events to match varied interests. These include monthly lunches at VGH and UBCH, commensality groups, the Kudos project, wellness speakers, and family-friendly events.

Committee members are Dr. Anna Borowska, Dr. Jen Chen, Dr. Fahreen Dossa, Dr. Soma Ganesan, Dr. Asim Iqbal, Dr. Junella Lee, Dr. M. Lesley Wood, and Dr. Hanieh Zargham, with the chair’s role rotating among the group. VPSA Operations Director Andrew Pinfold and VPSA Admin Assistant Cindy Liang provide project support.

The VA/VC Physician Wellness Steering Committee works with VCH to assess levels of physician wellness and burnout as well as to identify the causes of burnout, why it exists, and to develop collaborative solutions. VPSA physicians on this committee attend meetings and provide valuable insights to shape the project. They collaborate on the project’s design and implementation. This group manages and supports VA/VC department and division wellness funding and the VA/VC Wellness Champions Working Group.

Dr. Fahreen Dossa, Dr. Lucy Lyons, and Dr. Zafrina Poonja co-chair this committee. Other VPSA members are Dr. Derek Chang, Dr. Andrea Grabovac, Dr. Chad Kim Sing, Dr. Julie Nguyen, Dr. Andrea Townson, Dr. Rachel Vogler, and Dr. M. Lesley Wood. Communicating and acting on the results of the recent VCH physician wellness survey is a current focus for both these committees. Members encourage you to attend the December 17 Medical Staff Forum where the survey results will be presented. You can register for that here.