Since publishing its new strategic plan in February 2022, VPSA board members, volunteers, and staff have been making significant progress in achieving the plan’s objectives. The plan, which guides VPSA’s actions through until 2024, has four priorities: Increase member engagement and support, especially with under-represented departments. Improve member physician engagement with Vancouver Coastal Health leadership. Implement robust performance management, monitoring and evaluation systems, and succession planning throughout VPSA. Develop comprehensive … Read More
Physician wellness and planetary health the focus of July VPSA/VCH leaders meeting
VPSA board and staff meet monthly with VCH senior leaders. The July meeting began with kudos to those involved with organizing the recent Vancouver Community appreciation evening, which was well received by those who took part. The meeting then moved to its primary focuses: physician wellness and planetary health. VA/VC Physician Wellness Steering Committee update VCH Executive Director, Physician Engagement and Contract Strategies Michael Ducie and committee co-chair Dr. Fahreen … Read More
Wellness funding improving Hospitalist Department collegiality
A trio of VA hospitalists are working to make their department a more welcoming place to work. Drs. Claire Sakiyama, Christina Weisstock, and David Swab are wellness champions who are using funding from VPSA for initiatives to make themselves and their colleagues more resilient to burnout. “We’re all newer to the team,” said Dr. Sakiyama. “We feel invested in our team’s long-term culture.” The group surveyed the department’s more than … Read More
Creating a safe and inclusive space for transgender and two-spirit people
Dr. James Makokis went into medicine to make a difference in the lives of people. As a Nehiyô two-spirit physician, he is determined to bring the humanity back to medicine. He practices family medicine in Kinokamasihk Cree Nation in northeastern Alberta and has a transgender-health-focused practice in south Edmonton. He spoke to VPSA members and other VCH medical staff during a recent Zoom session about decolonizing medicine and offering safe and inclusive … Read More
Funding now available for physician commensality groups
Commensality groups have been shown to reduce physician burnout, decrease depression, and improve job satisfaction. Originally studied and deployed at the Mayo Clinic, these groups are small gatherings of physicians who meet monthly for an hour to discuss issues central to the physician experience. Some departments and divisions at VCH have started their own commensality groups but a lack of funding has held others back. To assist, VPSA is launching … Read More