Dear friends and physician colleagues,

I am humbled and honoured to be elected for the position of President-Elect of Doctors of BC. As a family physician and past President of BC Family Doctors, I have been at many collaborative tables with the Specialists of BC. I have also had the great fortune to work closely with my colleagues at the Doctors of BC Representative assembly since its inception. I have learned that all physician voices matter. Creating extraordinary impact requires all of us.

I recognize that now more than ever, we need to unite and empower one another. The future of healthcare in this province begins and ends with US.

2020 has brought us challenges both professionally and personally. Prior to the pandemic our profession faced challenges: loss of autonomy, burnout, practice closures, and financial burdens. I have witnessed you give of yourself tirelessly to our patients, our province and our profession.

It is because of YOU that we are still standing. Within a system of disparities, inequities

 and injustice, YOU continue to pour your energy into your commitments to healthcare and humanity. As YOU have championed the navigation of uncharted territories with a global pandemic, I remind you all WE are the heart of it. We need to avow our PHYSICIAN VOICE. We need to protect our autonomy, seek income stabilization, fair economic reward and create a cultural shift.

I have experienced many of the challenges we all face. I know it is difficult to balance community-based clinical care with small business administration. While working in facilities I see the lack of resources and constraints we face while advocating for our patients. Like you, I have also spent many dark hours working while my children are asleep. My own personal health journey has also compelled me to be a fierce advocate for a better system and appreciation of the extraordinary work physicians do.

Within each of us is the power to make a unique and sustainable impact on our profession and the world. We can leverage our potential through our insights, intellect and innovation.

I have been involved in physician organizations and physician leadership throughout my career, including opportunities to serve at the provincial level, through the Child and Youth Mental Health Collaborative, BC Family Doctors Board and Child Health BC. I have been involved in my local Division of Family Practice and Medical Staff Association, continuing medical education, teaching for UBC medical students and Medical Council of Canada. I have also served as a Doctors of BC delegate to the Canadian Medical Association General Assembly.

I have learned we need to create more safe spaces so that all voices have a place at the table. Physicians in this province are diverse in demographics, experience and perspectives. Whether rural, remote, urban, facility or community-based we need to ensure that our leadership is inclusive of all physicians in this province so that our impact is informed by our collective purpose, passion, and priorities.

Within the shifting paradigm of medicine, politics and upcoming physician master agreement negotiations, WE need to speak up now and be counted.

It is time for a necessary change founded on diversity and inclusivity, prioritizing advocacy and physician health. My participation, commitments and lived experience make me believe that transformational change is possible.

Imagine what we could co-create? I believe the answers are within our physician community – they are within all of YOU. WE are the doers, dreamers, innovators, thinkers, healers and leaders. We are the true DOCTORS of BC.

It is time for YOU to use your power. I will be your voice.