Fraser Northwest Division presents awards at the Annual General Meeting
Two family doctors, one specialist and one community organization are recipients
Friday, September 27, 2019 - Coquitlam, B.C. - Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice Society presented three doctors and one community organization with a Fraser Northwest award on Thursday, September 26. This is the second annual Fraser Northwest Awards presented at the Annual General Meeting for the not-for-profit society. This year Fraser Northwest presented two Family Doctor of the year awards, one specialist of the year and one team member of the year award.
Fraser Northwest award winners are nominated by family doctors in the Fraser Northwest community (Anmore, Belcarra, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody). Nominations are collected by the division and a panel chooses winners who best exemplify the criteria for each award.
“Presenting the Fraser Northwest awards to doctors and organizations in our community highlights the collaboration it takes to improve primary care,” explains Dr. Paras Mehta, co-chair of the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice Society. “On behalf of the division, I am proud to present these awards to the recipients.”
Specialist of the year is presented to a specialist in the Fraser Northwest community who is recognized by family doctors for being easy to refer to and willing to work with family doctors to ensure patients are taken care of. Dr. Adrian Gooi, Otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist), from Indigo ENT in Coquitlam was presented with the award.
Family doctor of the year is presented to a family doctor who has made an impact in the lives of their patients and community. This year the award was presented to two long-time Tri-Cities doctors, Dr. Cliff Ungar and Dr. Bernie Toews. Dr. Ungar was at Port Moody’s Rocky Point Medical Clinic since the 1980s until his retirement earlier this year. Dr. Toews is a family doctor running a clinic in central Coquitlam since the 1980s.
Team member of the year is awarded to a person or organization who exemplifies what it means to be collaborative and works closely with the division and its members to better primary care. Team Member of the year was awarded to SHARE Community & Family Services for their work with the Fraser Northwest Division on a new Clinical Counselling program through the recently launched Primary Care Networks. Family doctors in Fraser Northwest can refer patients experiencing mild to moderate mental health symptoms to a clinical counsellor who will see patients in one to two weeks. The program launched in June 2019 has seen over 300 referrals and has been highlighted by Doctors of BC for increasing patient access to mental health support.
About Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice Society
The Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice Society is one of 35 divisions in British Columbia that make up the Divisions of Family Practice, an initiative of the Family Practice Services Committee , a partnership between the Province of B.C. and Doctors of B.C. Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice currently has over 400 members that provide primary care services in Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.
Quotes
“As a specialist, you’re treating patients and doing the best you can to work with family doctors and other specialists and its really nice to get the sense that you are doing something right.”
Dr. Adrian Gooi, Otolaryngologist
“What I’ve held as a value is to put the patient first. Medicine is complicated now and diseases are complex and care is complex that it’s sometimes easy to chase after the problem and lose sight of the patient and I really try to keep the problem in context of the patient. If this [award] recognizes that in any way then I am gratified.”
Dr. Cliff Ungar, Family Doctor
“I’ve always been very happy in this community, practicing here and at the Royal Columbian Hospital. Its always seemed like home so thank you very much for this award.”
Dr. Bernhard Toews, Family Doctor
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Media Contact:
Cody Karman
778.867.2639
cody.karman@fnwdivision.ca
