Planetary health and personal health are intertwined. That was one of the messages when VCH Regional Medical Director of Planetary Health, Dr. Andrea MacNeill gave a presentation to VMDAS and VPSA members at the organizations’ joint December annual general meeting. “If healthcare were a country, it would be the world’s fifth highest emitter of greenhouse gases,” said Dr. MacNeill. “It accounts for 4.6 per cent of all global emissions—the same … Read More
VPSA Leaders Forum increases collaboration
The Vancouver Physician Staff Association has created a Leaders Forum to enhance the work of its task groups and committees. The forum, which meets quarterly, includes representatives from each of the association’s groups. “The Leaders Forum is a place for information sharing and discussions that can generate ideas,” said VPSA President Elect Dr. Alison Harris, who chaired the first meeting of the group in late October. “We want to enhance … Read More
VPSA project funding helps improve Emergency Department Suboxone program
A multidisciplinary team at VGH’s Emergency Department has been screening patients for opioid use disorder since 2019. Eligible patients receive take-home Suboxone packages. (Suboxone is a first-line opioid agonist therapy in BC; there is evidence for its effectiveness when provided in emergency department settings.) “We wanted to gather feedback from the many care providers involved in the program as well as from patients to understand which aspects of our program … Read More
Welcoming our newest physicians
Over 100 physicians joined our Vancouver Community of Care in 2021 and, as tradition demands, VPSA hosted a welcoming event. For the second year in a row, the VPSA New Physician Dinner was held via Zoom. VPSA President Dr. Eric Yoshida and President Elect Dr. Alison Harris, along with VCH President and CEO Vivian Eliopoulos, VA Co-Senior Medical Director Dr. Ladan Sadrehashemi, and VC Senior Medical Director Dr. Michael Norbury … Read More
Call for VCH Physician Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Working Group members
The VCH Physician DEI Committee and working groups began in November 2019 following a presentation to the VCH Board of Directors. There are three working groups and an overarching committee initially composed of physicians from Vancouver Acute, Vancouver Community, and other representation across VCH. Over the last 18 months, new members from Richmond have joined the working groups, and members from all Communities of Care have attended focus groups and … Read More