Rural communities face unique healthcare challenges, from geographic isolation to limited access to specialized services. At this year’s Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs) Conference, RCCbc is honoured to share how rural voices, innovation, and leadership are driving meaningful change across British Columbia. From pioneering leadership models to practice-informed research, our presentations showcase the creativity and resilience of rural healthcare teams.
For those unfamiliar, the JCCs are a partnership between Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health BC working government that work with health authorities, patients, families, and partners to co-lead improvements to access, quality, and equity in health care across the province. The Conference runs October 6–7, 2025 at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver, bringing together physicians, healthcare providers, system leaders, and partners from across BC to learn, connect, and advance solutions through shared innovations and collaborative design.
RCCbc is an initiative under the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC), which is just one of the four committees that operates within the JCC structure. Through this connection, RCCbc contributes knowledge and capacity to the broader aims of the JCCs, with particular attention to rural and Indigenous communities.
Below is a list of all RCCbc presentations being presented at the conference on October 7, 2025.
Workshop: Ya’akstulth: Leading with Compassion in a Tumultuous Era
Time: October 7th, 10:00am – 10:50am
Speakers: Heather and Shawn Atleo, Dr. Ray Markham, Leslie Carty
This session will explore Team Atleo’s Compassionate Leadership model and its impact on creating safer, more collaborative spaces in healthcare. Attendees will learn how this approach supports:
- Supporting emotional and psychological safety, conflict prevention, and resolution.
- Guiding culture change through systems leadership guided by compassion.
- Indigenous reconciliation in action by embedding culturally safe practices, honouring Indigenous governance and self-determination, and fostering environments that protect spiritual, emotional, and cultural well-being.
Rapid Fire: Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS): Impact of RTVS in Recruiting and Sustaining Rural Clinicians
Time: 10:00am – 10:15am, Junior Ballroom C, Third Floor, North Tower
Speakers: Caroline Walker, Melissa Paquette
Sharing examples of how RTVS has provided an essential service to mitigate the challenges of a strained workforce, including reducing burnout and supporting recruitment and retention in rural communities.
Rapid Fire: Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS): “I did not have to travel far to have the same understanding” – The C2C Program
Time: 11:10am – 11:25am, Junior Ballroom C, Third Floor, North Tower
Speakers: Daisy Dulay, Erika Pritchard, Karen Shepherd
Early findings on how the Consultation to Conversation (C2C) initiative is increasing equity of access for patients.
Rapid Fire: Rural Personal Health Record (rPHR)
Time: 11:25am – 11:40am, Pavilion Ballroom AB, Third Floor, North Tower
Speakers: Dr. Anthon Meyer, Dr. Bill Clifford, Peggy Skelton, Claire Snyman
Exploring how a personal health record can improve access and continuity of care for rural British Columbians.
Rapid Fire: Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS): Connecting and Collaborating Across Pathways to Elevate Rural Generalism
Time: 11:40am – 11:55am, Pavilion Ballroom AB, Third Floor, North Tower
Speakers: Jeff Beselt, Danielle Pichie
RTVS connects rural clinicians with a community of virtual physicians ready to ask, “how can I help?” and offer peer support, collaboration, and compassionate care. This session shares examples of how virtual peer to peer support can uplift rural generalists.
Rapid Fire: Emergency Medical Transport
Time: 11:45am – 12:00pm, Junior Ballroom C, Third Floor, North Tower
Speakers: Dr. Trina Larsen-Soles, Dr. Nelly Oelke, Alison James
Insights from a qualitative study exploring the experiences of patients, providers, and decision-makers in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
Rapid Fire: Quality Team Coaching for Rural BC (QTC4RBC)
Time: 10:35am – 10:50am, Junior Ballroom C, Third Floor, North Tower
Speakers: Cecile Andreas, Tom Wright, Adrienne Peltonen
Exploring how team coaching with physician coaches is strengthening quality improvement in rural BC.
Poster Presentation: Rural Voices Gathering
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Pavilion Ballroom & Junior Ballroom & Foyers
The Rural Voices Gathering brought together hundreds of people from rural and remote communities, virtually and in-person, in November 2024 to discuss community-driven ideas to improve health and wellness. The JCC Storyboard presents the process for delivering this hybrid event along with experiences and ideas shared by participants.
Poster Presentation: Point-of-Care Ultrasound Project (POCUS): ‘It saves a lot of worry, and it also saves a big trip.’ How innovative use of point of care ultrasound on Haida Gwaii is improving health care for residents
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Pavilion Ballroom & Junior Ballroom & Foyers
POCUS can improve diagnosis times and reduce patient transfers, but barriers to training and proficiency often limit its use. Using the eEco-normalization model, interviews with a physician, hospital administrator, and patient explored how POCUS was successfully implemented in Haida Gwaii. Implementation was supported by local champions and a commitment to compassionate care, supported by medical education, administrative backing, a culture of collaboration, and strong patient satisfaction.
From leadership rooted in compassion to innovative models of care and rural-led research, RCCbc’s contributions at the JCC Conference reflect the strength and creativity of rural communities across BC, alongside many valued partners.
We look forward to connecting, sharing, and learning together at this year’s conference.
If you’re attending in person, come find us at the JSC table—we’d love to say hello.
