Each spring, healthcare providers from across Northern BC gather in Jasper for an experience that goes beyond a typical medical conference. The Jasper Spring Retreat & Medical Conference, held this year from April 11–13, 2025, blends Continuing Medical Education (CME) with connection, reflection, and most notably — family.
Organised by the Northern Continuing Medical Education (CME) Committees and supported by RCCbc, the event brings medical professionals and residents together to explore ways to improve both patient care and provider satisfaction, especially within the unique context of rural and northern practice. This year’s sessions ranged from paediatric ADHD to AI in healthcare, fatty liver and CSP, and regaining joy in the practice of medicine — a program that reflects the conference’s commitment to both professional growth and personal well-being.
What sets this conference apart is its intentional family-friendly design — removing one of the biggest barriers to CME for many providers: access to childcare.
Childcare That Makes Attending Possible
With daytime childcare and kid-friendly programming, families are welcomed — not just accommodated — throughout the weekend.
“Having childcare for the day of the conference is huge because what we end up doing as a two-physician family, is that we juggle,” says Dr. Leigh Hunsinger-Chang, a family physician in Prince George, who attended with her husband and fellow family physician, Dr. Steven Chang, and their two children, ages 6 and 9.
“To be able to bring the family here, [having] childcare where the kids had fun, and we knew they had a great day — we could just focus on the sessions — was really nice. It makes it feasible for us to attend events we otherwise might miss.”
This practical support opens the door for parents in medicine to grow professionally while also spending meaningful time with their loved ones.
Learning, Laughter, and the Magic of Jasper
Saturday is a dedicated day for social activities for the whole family, offering a refreshing break during the conference. This year’s highlights included:
- A guided fat bike tour
- A creative canvas painting party
- A high-energy Family Ironman Amazing Race
- An unforgettable conference banquet, complete with a magic show, kids’ games, music trivia, a photo booth, and dancing for all ages.
“Our kids always look forward to the dance, the photo booth, and the banquet — and they get to dress up. It is really a fun event for the family to come to,” adds Dr. Hunsinger-Chang.
Dr. Justin Flynn, a family physician and emergency doctor in Smithers, has been attending since 2001 when he was a resident and now, 24 years later, helps plan the event. He shared, “My kids love Jasper and have so many memories of this conference. They love it because they get to be involved. And it’s a great chance to reconnect with colleagues across the North — for networking, visiting, and shared family time.”
Building Connection in the North
Connection is at the heart of this conference — not just clinical collaboration, but human connection. In a region where relationships are central to effective care, the Jasper Spring Retreat has become a space where colleagues become friends, families build lasting bonds, and care providers find renewal both personally and professionally.
Dr. Andrew Lukaris, a retinal specialist from Prince George, has been attending for approximately 17 years with his family. His wife, Davina Banner-Lukaris, a professor at the University of Northern British Columbia, reflects:
“When you have really small children, it is hard to come away, so being able to bring the whole family — we’ve had our kids here from when they were in a car seat to now when they are adults — has been a nice way to connect with colleagues and other families and get to know people on a personal level, not just a work level. That’s important in the North because we are so relational. Relationships are central to everything we do.” ”
Looking Ahead
In a time when burnout remains a significant challenge in healthcare, events like the Jasper Spring Retreat & Medical Conference offer a hopeful blueprint — one where learning, community, and family don’t compete but coexist. As the medical community continues to navigate evolving challenges, this conference is a reminder that care begins with connection — not just with our patients, but with each other and the people we love.
