The Vancouver Acute/Vancouver Community (VA/VC) Medical Staff Planetary Health Committee works to educate, engage, and empower medical staff to become planetary health leaders in their professional lives with the goal of increasing awareness within their departments and affiliated institutions to lead rapid change in systems and processes. The committee collaborates with relevant stakeholders to ensure a unified message and shared purpose of work.

It is a  joint committee of the Vancouver Physician Staff Association and Vancouver Coastal Health and is guided by Regional Medical Director of Planetary Health Dr. Andrea MacNeill’s framework for sustainable health-care systems.

Dr. Matthew Bennett is the committee chair. Other members are Dr. Rashmi Chadha, Colin Chan, Dr. Kelly Lau, Dr. Harpinder Nagi, Dr. David Smith, and Dr. Tyler Smith. The committee is currently recruiting for two new members (see here if you are interested in applying).

“We’ve undertaken several projects over the past year highlighting the impact of the food industry on planetary health,” said Dr. Bennett. “Our next event takes place on World Food Day (October 16). Please join us to hear from experts from VCH, PHC, BC Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and Fraser Health on what steps are being taken to make hospital food healthier, more culturally appropriate, and more environmentally friendly.”

Register here by October 15 for our World Food Day special event: Transforming food systems one plate at a time.