More than 120 physician members, their guests, Division staff and members of the Indigenous community joined us for a joyful AGM, themed “Collective Wisdom, Enriched Community”, on November 4th at the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort. This year’s event featured abundant networking, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, performers and artists, an inspiring keynote by Len Pierre on “Two-Eyed Seeing”, plus – for the first time – free on-site childcare.

Highlights:

• Indigenous Vendors and VDFP Knowledge Lounge: Upon arrival, attendees entered a vibrant hub of connection and learning as they explored info booths, networked, and enjoyed the strong sense of community.
• Opening Ceremony: We were honoured to have Elder səwəyələq Diane Sam welcome the audience. She thanked the Division for “opening up your work in a good way” before introducing local artists offering a powerful drumming and singing performance and a ceremony that set the tone for a meaningful evening.
• Directors’ Report: Dr. Melissa Duff reaffirmed the board’s commitment to amplifying the physician voice in collaborative decision-making. She highlighted significant achievements over the past year, including:
  • New office on Johnson Street: Opening in early 2025, our new office on Johnson St. for the allied health professionals supporting team-based care (TBC) and for our Division office will be a game changer ensuring sustainable, culturally safe access to TBC in our growing primary care network cohorts.
  • Attracting and supporting FPs: We are seeing an increased interest in practicing in Victoria and due to overwhelmingly positive feedback, our Urban Locum Program pilot enabling time off has been extended until March 2025.
  • Indigenous Wellness Providers (IWPs): Our new IWPs are enhancing cultural safety by supporting Indigenous patients across our cohorts.
  • Specialist referrals: Working with our specialist colleagues, we have co-created a compelling agenda to advance high-quality referrals.

You can view our full report here.

• Acknowledgments: Special recognition went to Dr. Carien Smit for her board contributions as she stepped down, and to Dr. Laura Phillips for receiving the BC College of Family Physicians’ peer-nominated Family Physician of the Year award.
• New Board:
  • Returning members: Dr. Ami Brosseau, Dr. Sarah Chritchley, Dr. Melissa Duff, Dr. Margaret Manville, Dr. Anna Mason
  • Elected by acclamation: Dr. Kristen Iverson
  • Appointed directors: Dr. Ali Dozzi (new-to-practice FP), Dr. Brett Dueck (year-two resident), Dr. Steve Goodchild (policy development experience), Mr. Peter Lockie (financial experience), and Dr. Brynna Wilson (year-one resident)
  • No election followed this summer’s call for board nominations.
• Q&A: An LTC physician inquired what the Division is doing to address the issue of LTC physicians being excluded from the LFP payment model. Dr. Duff acknowledged the urgency and shared that divisions across BC, including the Victoria Division, have joined forces to bring this issue to FPSC with a unified voice. The Victoria Division is also part of a working group creating collaborative suggestions for improvement. Interested LTC physicians are welcome to join the discussion underway.
  Physicians also took the mic to share appreciation and kudos for the strong Division community, team-based care support by the allied health professionals, and the preceptors inspiring the next generation.
• Keynote Address on “Two-Eyed Seeing”: Len Pierre started his presentation by expressing: “I love the love in this room. The way you hold each other up and offer praise in the spirit of love, gratitude and kindness is what we need to practice medicine.” He spoke about integrating Indigenous and Western values in life and medicine and about transformative leadership, leaving us with much to consider. Len concluded with Einstein’s words: “We can’t solve problems using the same thinking that created them.” His slides are available here.

Thank you for keeping our community strong. Please reach out to Executive Director Catriona Park at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.