BC Rural Health Conference & Awards

The BC Rural Health Conference (RHC) provides rurally relevant continuing medical education (CME), networking opportunities, and wellness activities for healthcare providers in British Columbia. It serves as a key gathering for rural physicians, residents, and medical students, fostering connections and advancing rural healthcare practices. The conference also includes the BC Rural Health Awards, which celebrate dedication, excellence in rural healthcare leadership and innovation.

“I leave this conference feeling more equipped to deliver care to my clients.”

BC RHC 2025 Attendee

Achievements

A Successful 2025 BC Rural Health Conference in Prince George

The BC Rural Health Conference (RHC) took place fromJune 6-8, 2025, in Prince George on the unceded traditional territories of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, part of the Dakelh (Carrier) peoples’ territory.

The event welcomed over 250 attendees, including participants, speakers, exhibitors, and staff. Over three days, attendees engaged in rurally relevant CME sessions, networking events, and wellness activities, fostering meaningful professional connections and knowledge-sharing.

Celebrating Excellence in Rural Health Care Across BC

During RHC, RCCbc proudly presented the 2025 BC Rural Health Awards presented at The Exploration Place Museum & Science Centre, honouring outstanding contributions to rural healthcare:

Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Jeff Beselt, Dr. Karen Forgie, Dr. Bruce Hobson and Dr. Garnett Tarr, for their exceptional career-long commitments to rural medicine.
BC Rural Community Award: Nisga’a Valley Health Authority, for outstanding support of local healthcare services.
Resident Leadership Award: Dr. Yonabeth Nava de Escalante, for her leadership and dedication to rural healthcare.

Read the backgrounder about the 2025 BC Rural Health Award winners and videos.

Twenty Nine Poster Abstracts Submitted

The BC Rural Health Conference received 29 poster abstract submissions for 2025, reflecting strong engagement from rural health practitioners, researchers, and organizations across British Columbia. Topics included improving the health of rural patients and communities, cultivating rural innovations, creating high-quality health system improvements across British Columbia or globally, and more.

To explore 2025 poster abstracts, visit bcrhc.ca/poster-abstracts.

Strengthening Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange

The success of RHC 2025 was made possible through collaboration with key partners, including the UBC Conference team and funding support from the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC).

Explore the numbers

250+ Attendees

The 2025 BC Rural Health Conference welcomed over 250 attendees in Prince George.

6 Awards

There were six awards presented to rural health leaders and communities.

29 Poster Abstracts

29 poster abstracts were selected for presentation at the 2025 BC Rural Health Conference.

Learn more about the 2025 Rural Health Award Winners

Media Backgrounder: 2025 BC Rural Health Award Winners

Media Release: 2025 BC Rural Health Award Winners

“ The conference was really fantastic. There was such a wonderful feeling in the room. I loved the social engagement opportunities. ”

BC RHC 2025 Attendee

Plans for the Future

The BC Rural Health Conference returned to Prince George from May 29–31, 2026, at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, alongside the Rural PoCUS Congress and selection of poster abstracts. The 2026 event built on the 2025 successes while enhancing CME opportunities, expanding partnerships, continuing the BC Rural Health Awards, and celebrating excellence in rural health.