Around the world, including here, in British Columbia (BC), Indigenous people continue to experience poorer health than non-Indigenous people across all health indicators. The Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc) implements several initiatives to address these health disparities: The Indigenous Physicians Network engages and provides opportunities for connection among Indigenous students, residents, physicians, and health allies across BC; the RCCbc on Inclusion, Social Justice and Equity (RISE) reference group fosters network relationships, supports continued learning and growth, and champions the application of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action within RCCbc’s work; and the Compassionate Leadership Community of Practice and its training program instills connective, empathic skills in rural health leaders.
RCCbc also acknowledges the work of UBC Rural Continuing Professional Development’s (UBC RCPD) Rural CPD Indigenous Patient-Led CPD program, which brings rural Indigenous community members and rural physicians together for Nation-led cultural safety education. (See UBC RCPD’s annual report.)
Explore the Numbers
60 Participants
Attended the Indigenous Medical Education Gathering.
2 Elders
Dr. and Elder Roberta Price and Elder Cheryl Schweizer led and supported the Indigenous Physicians Network.
44 Members
Attended the RISE lunch and learn.
Plans for the Future
In the coming year, the BC Indigenous Physicians Network will plan and hold its 2024 Indigenous Medical Education Gathering. It will continue to develop its partner relationships and encourage new planning committee members to get involved and review feedback from the previous gathering and exchange ideas.
The RCCbc for Inclusion, Social Justice, and Equity (RISE) will host an in-person gathering of current and new members to foster relationships and expand the diversity of perspectives and knowledge by increasing representation of Indigenous peoples, physicians, genders, medical students, and residents’ involvement. They will continue to collaborate with RCCbc projects and programs to champion the application of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and In Plain Sight recommendations, while supporting the growth of learning journeys.
Team Members
Click on a team member to explore which other projects they have contributed to in the past year.
Terri Aldred
Lead, Indigenous-Led Health Initiatives
Terri Aldred’s Projects: Annual Reports
Todd Alec
Co-Chair, RCCbc for Inclusion, Social Justice & Equity
Todd Alec’s Projects: Annual Reports
Robert Woollard
Associate Director
Robert Woollard’s Projects: Annual Reports
Krystal Wong
Senior Project Coordinator