My Statement

Dear Colleague,

I write to ask you for your support in the upcoming Doctors of BC election for President. 

Over 15 years of practice, I have been honoured to work with many of you to solve many challenging problems for our patients. The sheer joy of practicing medicine can be felt when we work together to make a difference.

I have stood side by side with many of you as we navigated recent crises. Beyond healthcare, we are living an environmental crisis that impacts every facet of our daily lives. We grapple with the injustices impacting the lives of Indigenous peoples and many British Columbians. The COVID-19 pandemic brought all these issues to the forefront. 

We are all struggling to provide high quality care to the people of British Columbia. All of us feel the impact of the deficit of longitudinal primary care and increasing waitlists.  As a fee for service general surgeon, I know first hand the challenges of increasing costs and administrative burdens, and ever more complex patient needs. Our profession is hurting with unparalleled levels of exhaustion, burnout, and moral distress. 

As physicians, our systemic challenges can only be resolved by uniting to advocate for our patients, for ourselves, and for a renewed culture of compassionate leadership in healthcare. 

Doctors of BC must be this voice. I am ready to be that voice for all of us. 

As Co-chair of the Specialist Services Committee, I learned the importance of authentic, collaborative engagement and working across silos. I championed initiatives that impacted the work of family doctors and specialists across BC: Physician Quality Improvement, Facility Engagement, Surgical Preoperative Optimization Collaborative and Physician Leadership Training. I have focused on the patient and provider experience for family physicians and specialists. 

I worked with colleagues at the General Practice Services Committee and Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues to understand and advocate for improvements to the working lives of family doctors and for primary care. While representing Doctors of BC in complex spaces like the MOCAP Redesign Panel and the Tariff Committee, I advocated for what family doctors and specialists need, while furthering strong collaborative relationships. 

I have been part of ongoing work at Doctors of BC and the Canadian Association of General Surgeons to improve issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

As the President of Doctors of BC, I will continue to advocate for equitable and appropriate compensation for all of us. I will advocate for a truly collaborative healthcare system, which recognizes the value of trust and human relationships. If elected, I will strive to earn your trust and respect as President of Doctors of BC.

Thank you for your support and your ongoing commitment to the people of this province.