Celebrating Rural Health Leadership in BC

The 2025 BC Rural Health Awards, presented by the Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc), celebrate the people and communities transforming healthcare across rural and remote British Columbia. The awards were presented in June during the BC Rural Health Conference in Prince George, on the unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.

This year, the Nisga’a Valley was honoured with the Rural BC Community Award for its community-led approach to expanding full-scope care, integrating traditional healing, launching a local Emergency Medical Transport (EMT) team, and leading culturally grounded quality improvement.

Four rural physicians—Dr. Jeff Beselt, Dr. Bruce Hobson, Dr. Garnett Tarr, and Dr. Karen Forgie—were also recognized with the Award of Excellence in Rural Medicine – Lifetime Achievement for their decades of service, leadership, and mentorship in rural care. In addition, Dr. Yonabeth Nava de Escalante was honoured with the Resident Leadership Award for her early leadership and commitment to rural practice as part of UBC’s Chetwynd Rural Immersion Site.

Consideration for Referrals to Community Health OTs and PTs

The Community Resource at Island Health, recently published some updated referral documents for Community Health Services Occupational Therapy & Physical Therapy Services.

Click here for a summary of those documents.
This information is for physicians and nurse practitioners who refer patients to Community Health Services (CHS).

Doctors of BC AI scribe support

Doctors of BC members can access a range of resources, including an AI scribe consent template, that support their AI scribe journey through the Doctors of BC website.

Family physicians can request AI Scribe implementation and optimization support through the FPSC’s Practice Support Program, Doctor’s Technology Office or through a direct service request.

Supports for community-based specialists are being developed. To stay connected and learn more about upcoming initiatives, email sscbc@doctorsofbc.ca.

RCCbc’s 2024 Annual Report is now live

This past year reminded us of the strength and creativity that lives in rural communities. Across the province, people continued to ask important questions, build connections, and lead meaningful change in the places they call home.

The 2024 Annual Report reflects the collaborative work that took place across rural British Columbia—through clinical programs, community-led initiatives, and partnerships focused on making care more responsive and connected.

Read the report HERE

You’ll find highlights like:

• Expanded Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS), helping rural providers respond with confidence
• Hands-on rural Continuing Medical Education (CME) that reinforced emergency coverage across BC
• The inaugural Rural Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Congress and record attendance at the BC Rural Health Conference
• The Rural Voices Gathering, where people from across sectors reflected on system change, cultural safety, and rural realities
• Ongoing work with Indigenous partners that continues to shape how we lead, collaborate, and show up in community

The full report includes more stories, relationships, and perspectives that continue to shape how we work and why it matters. Each reflects the value of walking together—over time, across regions, and toward something better. At the heart of it all are the rural doctors, healthcare providers, and teams who make this work possible.

Thank you for being part of this work.

Oceanside MHSU Referral Form & Resource Guide

Please click here for the Oceanside Mental Health & Substance Use Services Primary Care Provider Referral Form and Resource Guide.

Find the Physician Health Program on Doctors of BC's website

Members who are seeking support from the Physician Health Program (PHP) can now access its services directly from the new PHP webpage on the Doctors of BC website. Physicians, medical students, residents, and their families can expect the same confidential support and referral assistance from PHP’s expert team, now available in a convenient location with a refreshed look.

PHP is available 24/7 and offers ongoing support, educational groups, and individualized assistance in overcoming all sorts of challenges. Learn more on the new page or contact PHP if you have any questions (email info@physicianhealth.com; phone: 604-398-4300).

Supporting BC doctors during wildfire season

Doctors of BC has compiled a list of resources and information to support BC doctors facing the challenges of wildfires, whether delivering care in affected areas or being displaced. These resources include Doctors of BC’s Contingency Planning Toolkit, which is designed to help you proactively protect your practice, as well as tools to support you in best preparing in advance of an emergency, help you and your families during an emergency, and support you to continue caring for patients.

Learn more in our news article.

Joint Collaborative Committee meeting summaries available

All Joint Collaborative Committee meeting summaries are available online. Summary updates are posted monthly.

Oceanside Hospice Society

The Oceanside Hospice Society serves individuals and families experiencing end-of-life, care-giving and bereavement in the area stretching from Deep Bay to Nanoose, and west to Errington and Whiskey Creek
We strive to provide links in the continuum of care by supporting care giving at home, in hospital or the palliative care unit at Trillium and at community care facilities.
Please contact us at 250.752.6227 or visit www.oceansidehospice.com for further information.

Divisions Dispatch

The latest news from the provincial team and complementary organizations.

Please click here for updates including:

• LFP Payment Model updates
• Webinars and continuing medical education (CME)

Divisions in the News

Divisions in the News
See what is going on in other divisions around BC:

https://divisionsbc.ca/provincial/news-and-events