VMDAS/VPSA board and staff meet regularly with VCH senior leaders to develop a collaborative relationship between medical staff and the health authority. The June meeting saw a variety of issues discussed including the formation of a new VPSA committee, reviews of recent joint events, and plans for upcoming opportunities.

Establishing a local VPSA EDI committee

VPSA is planning to create a local EDI committee to tackle concerns that impact the VA and VC communities of care. Unlike the VCH Medical Staff EDI committee, this committee will also include patient-centred initiatives. While details have yet to be confirmed, it is expected the committee will foster an inclusive professional environment and promote culturally safe and equitable care practices. Potential areas of focus include recruitment, retention, psychological safety, and disability/accessibility issues.

The new committee’s mandate is to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion across all aspects of patient care and medical staff experience in VA/VC. It creates (supports development) a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all patients and medical staff, in alignment with VCH health-system priorities. It aims to be a contributor/catalyst for systemic change, advocating that principles of inclusion, belonging, and equity are integrated into the culture of our community of care.

The committee’s terms of reference need to be drafted, an interim chair identified, and members recruited with the goal of the group’s first meeting taking place in September. Keep your eye on your weekly Checkup e-newsletter regarding recruitment.

Resident appreciation event debrief

This year’s Resident and Fellows Recognition Event was held April 22, with VCH taking over the coordination role with support from VPSA. There were roughly the same number of learners in attendance this year as in 2024, however, the biggest lesson learned was the need to provide a reason for attendees to stay for more than the food now that certificates are not being handed out.

Options discussed included offering draw prizes or leveraging the monthly VPSA physician lunches with one being devoted to this event. The latter concept was embraced with suggestions that leaders could greet guests as they arrive rather than making speeches. A slide deck could run in the background. September was thought to be the best month as that is a natural time to welcome people.

Fall VCH medical staff onboarding event

VA’s Manager, Provider Strategic Initiatives & Experience Laura Mc Evoy is in the planning stages for this event, which is scheduled for September 9. VCH’s Regional Department Head of Nurse Practitioners, Jen Buck, will be the host. The event is expected to follow a similar format as last year with the same presenters.

Meeting attendees discussed the time of the event with arguments for and against last year’s timing (morning and early afternoon) versus a late afternoon/early evening event. All agreed that this is a vital event as it is many people’s first formal introduction to the organization’s leadership and culture.

VC networking event debrief

Our fourth annual VC Appreciation and Networking Event was held June 3 at VanDusen Botanical Garden. The feedback has been overwhelming positive, and the event succeeded in many of its goals of building collegiality, supporting well-being, and improving attendees’ perception of VA/VC as a place to work. There were several great comments on the post-event survey, which will be distributed to members of this meeting. One area identified for future VC events is to recognize specialists who work in Vancouver Community.

VPSA continues to be enthusiastic about supporting the event and welcomes the collaboration with VCH and with the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.

Respectful behaviour talk debrief

Drs. Chris Turner and Yann Brierley delivered two presentations recently: a leadership workshop plus a more general talk to members. Both were well received and the afternoon session, which was recorded, has been shared with other interested groups. That talk was also attended by several physicians outside of VA and VC, including ones from other health authorities and by some out-of-province groups.

Collaboration with Medical Talent and Acquisition team

VCH’s Medical Talent and Acquisition (MTA) team is running a campaign to attract American physicians. VPSA is working with the team to identify members who have practiced in the States to see if they would be willing to share their stories as examples of the benefits of moving to Canada.

If you know someone who fits the bill, please connect them to the MTA team or direct them to this expression of interest survey.

VMDAS awards and credentialed medical providers

VMDAS’s annual awards will take place this year in November.

In the past, there has been an award for community excellence that is given to a physician who works in Vancouver Community. With the changes in privileging, about half of VC physicians are no longer VMDAS members and would therefore not be eligible for a VMDAS award. VPSA was able to change its bylaws to allow all VC physicians, including credentialed medical providers (CMPs), to be members of its association.

The group discussed options including creating a CMP award, which would need to be given by VPSA rather than VMDAS. VPSA’s board will discuss the proposal at an upcoming meeting.

Next meeting

The group next meets on July 10. If you have an item you wish to be brought forward at these meetings, please contact VPSA Operations Director Andrew Pinfold.