When Dr. Debra Miller heard about a pilot program offering physicians’ basic life support training, she jumped at the opportunity. She and her colleagues who work at the Joseph & Rosalie Segal & Family Health Centre at VGH eagerly responded to the offer from the VGH Simulation Centre. “Our patients have complex mental health and medical needs; they’re all ages; some are active drug users—they are at risk of having … Read More
VPSA funding recruitment and retention projects
Health human resources (HHR) are proving to be some of the most difficult challenges health-care facilities are currently experiencing. Recruiting and retaining physicians and medical staff are priorities for VPSA as HHR-related issues can be a leading cause of burnout. The Facility Engagement Initiative’s funding guidelines were updated recently, allowing VPSA to fund recruitment and retention projects. All VA and VC department and division heads have been invited to apply … Read More
Life beyond medicine: Planning for the unknown
Dr. Sunil Mangal was ready to start winding down his career in emergency medicine. He had practiced from coast to coast—from PEI to Tofino—and spent over 20 years providing care at St. Paul’s Hospital. He had just discovered mountain biking and was thinking that alternating two weeks in Whistler with two weeks working in Vancouver was a good step towards retirement. He was planning to slow down: take fewer shifts, … Read More
Profiling our task groups and committees: Substance Use Disorder Patient and Provider Experience Task Group
The Substance Use Disorder Patient and Provider Experience Task Group‘s objective is to help empower and support Vancouver Acute and Vancouver Community staff to provide the best possible environment for the care of patients with substance use disorder. Committee members are developing and supporting the implementation of practical strategies and initiatives through a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach. The SUDPPE group was created at the request of Drs. Adam Chodkiewicz, Jan … Read More
Presentation highlights ableism in health care and what we can do to make effective change
The VCH Medical Staff Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee kicked off the new year with a thought-provoking presentation from two disability experts on ableism in health care: what it is and how it impacts patients, health-care providers, and learners in our health-care system. The session’s goal was to improve inclusion and access for patients, faculty, staff, students, and peers with disabilities. Dr. Bonita Sawatzky, the director of READI (Respect, Equity, … Read More