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About Us

Our Story

We’re driven by relationships and a passion for rural health equity in British Columbia. Since our inception in 2007, RCCbc has grown into a network of hundreds of people—rural physicians and other healthcare providers, healthcare administrators, community members, policymakers, educators, researchers, and non-profit and business leaders—guided by the principles of cultural safety and humility.

Our history

Our journey to improve the health of rural people and communities in British Columbia began in 2007. Four rural doctors and two staff members laid the foundations of our work and unique culture. In our early years, we focused on building relationships to improve rural training opportunities for medical students and residents to bridge gaps in rural healthcare delivery.

Almost two decades later and still led by rural doctors, RCCbc has grown into a network of hundreds of people—rural doctors and other healthcare providers, healthcare administrators, community members, policymakers, educators, researchers, and non-profit and business leaders.

And although our work has grown and evolved, our commitment to building relationships and co-creating rural-based solutions to enhance rural health equity continues. We remain guided by our values of collaboration and inclusivity, including a steadfast commitment to Indigenous cultural safety.

 

JSC LogoRCCbc is supported by the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues, a partnership of the BC Government and Doctors of BC. We serve all rural, remote and Indigenous communities in British Columbia covered by the Rural Practice Subsidiary Agreement.

What we do

Cultivate relationships and networks

We connect people who are passionate about, or play a role in, enhancing rural health equity in British Columbia—from rural citizens and physicians to municipal and Indigenous leaders to provincial policymakers.

Facilitate rural health discussion

We co-create safe spaces for network partners to engage in frank discussion about rural health challenges, explore common solutions to improve rural health, and align our work as partners.

Coordinate rural health projects

We coordinate innovative projects that expand our network and enhance the ability for rural physicians and other healthcare providers to deliver timely, safe, and effective care to rural patients in British Columbia.

Create learning opportunities for rural healthcare practitioners

We co-develop continuing medical education, continuing professional development, and mentorship opportunities in collaboration with rural family physicians to enhance rural health providers’ skills, scope, and resilience at all stages of their careers.

Advocate for a healthy rural British Columbia

We use our personal and shared experiences, as well as rural health research evidence, to effect changes to provincial policies that improve the health of rural British Columbians.

 

Stimulate rural health research

We provide grants and offer other support to rural physicians and medical students to carry out culturally safe and rurally relevant research that informs policy and improves healthcare practice and delivery.

Develop healthcare leaders

We support and develop people in becoming healthcare leaders in their chosen fields of interest and expertise—whether they work in administrative, medical, research, advocacy, or other positions—so their unique perspectives, skills, and knowledge can be used to the fullest potential to improve rural health.

How we work

Overview of the Partnership Pentagram Plus (PPP)
The Partnership Pentagram Plus (PPP) is a framework created by the Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc) to bring six essential partner perspectives together for socially accountable health system transformation. Originally inspired by the World Health Organization’s work, this model includes:

  • Policymakers
  • Health Administrators
  • Health Providers
  • Academics
  • Community Members
  • Linked Sectors (Nonprofits and Industry)

The
Partnership
Pentagram Plus

Improving Health and Wellness of
Rural People and Communities.

Explore

Adaptable to Different Levels

The PPP can be applied at local, regional, provincial, or national levels. Local tables focus on immediate community needs, while regional, provincial and national tables address broader priorities. Across all levels, partners balance system-wide objectives with community centered perspectives, creating cohesive, sustainable change.

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  • Local
  • Regional
  • Provincial
  • National

The
Partnership
Pentagram Plus

Centering
Community
Health

Health Administrators

Policy
Makers

Health Providers

Academics

Linked Sectors

Community Members

Roles

Why They Matter

Each partner brings a critical perspective that strengthens a responsive, inclusive healthcare system. The PPP approach, co-developed with the First Nations Health Authority, integrates both Indigenous ways of knowing and Western approaches to promote health equity, particularly for rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across British Columbia. Cultural safety and humility are foundational to the Partnership Pentagram Plus, guiding our commitment to respectful engagement, addressing systemic power imbalances, and fostering environments free of racism and discrimination through mutual trust and ongoing self-reflection.

From dreaming to delivery using Appreciative Dialogue
Appreciative Dialogue is used together with the Partnership Pentagram Plus framework to promote a strengths-based approach to system improvement through four phases: Discovery (appreciating strengths and successes), Dream (envisioning possibilities), Design (co-creating practical solutions), and Deliver (implementing and sustaining innovation). This approach fosters social accountability and collaborative equity-driven outcomes.

Moving the Rock Together
Inspired by Indigenous partners, RCCbc values relationships before action. Just as “moving a rock” in unison requires adjusting to others’ strengths, health system transformation thrives when partners lift together, combining strengths to reach a common goal.

Related Content

Collaborators

We work with healthcare professionals, community members, policymakers, educators, researchers, and non-profit and business leaders from across British Columbia to improve the health of rural British Columbians.

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Careers

At RCCbc, we're passionate about improving the health of rural people and communities in British Columbia. If you are, too, apply for the positions below with RCCbc or our partners.

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