About two years into their relationship, then pescatarian Dr. Olivia Brooks became interested in following a plant-based diet. As she was the main cook at the time, her then omnivorous partner, Dr. Matt Brooks, became vegan by default. That was about 10 years ago when the couple were in med school in Ontario. “In the first month or so, we would have cheat days when we would get sushi, but … Read More
Inaugural Lunch and Learn puts wellness front and centre
VPSA kicked off its new Lunch and Learn series on April 19 with Dr. Fahreen Dossa showcasing wellness activities that our Community Building & Wellness Task Group undertakes. Dr. Dossa is a member of that committee, co-chair of the VA/VC Physician Wellness Steering Committee, and—as of June 1—the VCH Interim Regional Medical Director of Wellness. Dr. Dossa highlighted the joint VPSA/VCH wellness survey that will launch May 1 (National Physicians’ … Read More
VCH-wide physician wellness survey launches May 1
When the Vancouver Physician Staff Association (VPSA) and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) launch their collaborative physician wellness survey on May 1, there are many reasons to make sure your voice is heard. One of the most important is for VPSA and VCH to learn where the issues are, and what needs to be addressed. VPSA engages with our health authority on an ongoing basis and the survey results will inform … Read More
Senior leaders review results of engagement survey
VPSA/VMDAS board and staff meet regularly with VCH senior leaders to develop a collaborative relationship between medical staff and the health authority. The April meeting included a presentation on the 2023 Health Authority Engagement Survey results as well as discussion about the need for more awareness about the Code Silver violence prevention and mitigation process. Engagement survey results Doctors of BC Manager of Regional Advocacy Elisabeth White made a presentation … Read More
Food is Medicine: A presentation on VCH’s ongoing transformative journey
“Food is the single strongest lever to optimize human health and environmental sustainability on Earth.” This quote from the EAT-Lancet Commission supports the belief that what we eat plays a vital role in both human and planetary health. Dr. Annie Lalande, a surgical resident and PhD student in resources, environment, and sustainability at UBC, used it as the jumping off point for her recent presentation to VMDAS members. Dr. Lalande’s … Read More