Since the introduction of nurse practitioners (NPs) into BC’s health-care system in 2005, the profession has grown rapidly. Here at VCH, under the guidance of Department Head Jennifer Buck, more NPs are onboarded every year and their work touches all areas: from surgical to medical services, in both Vancouver Acute and Vancouver Community as well as other communities of care within VCH. As of October 9, 2026, 74 nurse practitioners … Read More
Internal Medicine colleagues benefiting from VPSA wellness funding
Every two weeks, Internal Medicine physicians in Vancouver Acute meet for lunch to discuss challenging cases. These regular attending rounds provide a safe space to receive support from peers, reduce feelings of isolation, and build camaraderie. The catering for these sessions is one of the ways VPSA is supporting VA Internal Medicine with wellness funding. “These meetings are very popular with our group, and the feedback we receive is overwhelmingly … Read More
Celebrating our Vancouver Community colleagues
An enthusiastic group of VPSA members gathered recently to recognize and celebrate our Vancouver Community colleagues. They were welcomed by family physician and chair of VPSA’s Community Building & Wellness Task Group Dr. Lucy Lyons. “Tonight is dedicated to fostering connections,” said Dr. Lyons in her opening remarks. “With a significant number of our members practicing in Vancouver Community, we understand the challenges they face in connecting with colleagues and … Read More
Department of Family & Community Practice uses wellness funding to encourage connections
Physician wellness is a hot topic and the 2024 VCH-wide physician wellness survey identified a high risk of burnout for medical staff across the board. In response, VPSA offers wellness funding to support initiatives that strengthen community, connection, and well-being among its members. Some 600 physicians work in Vancouver Community’s Department of Family & Community Practice; they are spread across multiple sites, which limits opportunities for in-person gatherings. To address … Read More
VPSA wellness funding supports Critical Care physicians
To help address burnout as identified by the 2024 VCH-wide physician wellness survey, VPSA encourages members to apply for wellness funding. Critical Care physician Dr. Hussein Kanji used this opportunity to create a Joy in Work Task Force whose focus was on “pebbles not boulders” to achieve some quick wins. “We conducted multiple engagement sessions exploring wellness, trust, and moral distress,” recalled Dr. Kanji. “We gathered anonymous input via “What … Read More