Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs) are a relatively new option for patients accessing health care in VCH. Providers from multiple clinical backgrounds (e.g., nurse practitioners, family physicians, emergency medicine physicians, and community specialists) collaborate at these centres and a need to understand role clarity has been identified as a concern. To promote teamwork and foster a positive work culture and collegial environment, Medical Coordinator, Quality and Education for the … Read More
VPSA funding helps create spinal cord injury network
Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients in the subacute and chronic stages face significant challenges in accessing specialized care and health resources in communities across British Columbia. Health-care providers, particularly hospitalists and primary care physicians, are often tasked with managing these patients’ complex needs without adequate specialist support. This lack of resources results in increased clinical burden, delayed care, preventable complications, and higher health-care costs. That inspired physiatrist Dr. Viet Vu … Read More
Increase in sessional rates for physicians: Retroactive payments coming for eligible VPSA members
The Joint Collaborative Committees (JCC), a partnership between Doctors of BC and the BC government has announced retroactive increases to JCC rates that stem from the 2025 Physician Main Agreement (PMA). The PMA included annual increases to all provincial sessional rates. As of April 1, 2025, these rates increased by six per cent; as of April 1, 2026, they increased another three per cent. At its June meeting, the JCC co-chairs approved parallel increases … Read More
From farm girl to VP: Gail Malenstyn’s leadership journey
Vancouver Acute Vice President Gail Malenstyn did not plan her leadership journey; indeed, she describes herself as a reluctant leader over the past 15 years. That was one of the learnings VPSA members heard when Gail was our Dinner with Leaders guest on June 25th. The evening was hosted by Dr. Mahyar Mohammadi of VPSA’s Community Building & Wellness Task Group, which had invited Gail to speak. This was the … Read More
Health authority and VPSA discuss ways to collaborate and engage
VPSA board and staff meet regularly with VCH senior leaders to develop a collaborative relationship between medical staff and the health authority. The June meeting included discussion about how best to shape the meetings to optimize collaboration and engagement. May meeting summary VPSA Projects Manager Annapurna Chavali summarized actions arising from this group’s May meeting around the level of engagement VCH will have on three of VPSA’s priority areas. Going … Read More