A record breaking number of members joined the Division’s 2020 Annual General Meeting on October 21^st. In total, 85 Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Division staff gathered on Zoom to review the 2019/2020 year, which included the Division’s move to a new office, Tomas Reyes accepting the position of Executive Director, a submission to the Ministry of Health regarding Surrey-North Delta’s interest in becoming a Primary Care Network, and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, to name a few! The full 2020 Annual General Report can be found here. 

After reviewing the financials, and the appointment of the auditor, a heartfelt thank you was extended to Dr. Baldev Dhillon by Dr. Elaine Jackson, for his service as a director and the co-chair of the Board of Directors at the Division over the last 6 years. This was followed by the acclamation of two candidates for Directors of the Board –  Dr. Nazia Niazi and Dr. Sujatha Nilavar. Dr. Elaine Jackson and Dr. Nazia Niazi have subsequently accepted the roles of co-chairs of the Board of Directors, and Dr. Gagan Wilkhu has replaced Dr. Nazia Niazi as the Treasurer.  

Physicians were also congratulated and honored for their primary care service to the community: Dr. John Barclay, Dr. CP Ng, and Dr. Rosemary Lim, the division membership and staff wish you well in your retirement! Four Surrey-North Delta Primary Care Excellence Award were also bestowed: Dr. Pascaline Mahungu received the award for Ongoing Commitment and Outstanding Care to Patients, Dr. Janice Peace received recognition for Family Preceptor Of The Year, Dr. Mark Blinkhorn was honoured for Outstanding Leadership for our profession, and Dr. Omar Shafi was selected by his peers as Resident Of The Year.

Dr. Anne McNamara and Dr. Elizabeth Froese then joined our meeting to facilitate a discussion about Physicians’ Leadership and Wellness. Between open group discussion and smaller breakout rooms, members were invited to reflect on what great leadership looks like, who their role models are, and what their own leadership role and style is. This led to a reflection about wellness and a discussion about the importance of wellness in leadership. 

Some Event Feedback: 

“The small group session has allowed me to connect with some of my colleagues again”

“Just the fact that we were given a chance to connect with each other made me realize how isolated GPs have become once we quit hospital work. Miss the good old days when we run into each other on m a daily basis. Thanks Anne and Elizabeth for the trip down memory lane!”

“[The event] gave me time to reflect on how I can be a better leader in my community.”

“[The most valuable part of the even for me, was] discussing how we have all been handling the pandemic this year and challenges within that regard”

The division is committed to ensuring physician wellness is a focus of all their work, and invites physicians to participate in helping to shape a culture of wellbeing for family physicians in Surrey-North Delta. If you would like to be involved please contact your Division Engagement and Support Lead.