Resident Doctors of BC has several internal committees which focus on specific needs of the association and residents. The initiatives of these committees are the responsibility of the Board. Some committees are solely populated by Board members while others are open to the full membership. To join an available committee please contact the committee chair.
Committees
Internal, Joint & External
Internal Committees
- Advocacy Committee
The Advocacy Committee was created to enable residents to confidently engage in advocacy. It is currently working on projects to advocate for residents externally to stakeholders and the public as well as internal projects to equip residents and facilitate independent advocacy projects by residents.2017-2018 Projects:
Resident Awareness Week 2018
Maintain a relationship with the provincial government, health authorities, the University of British Columbia and Doctors of BC and represent members to other external bodies as required
Facilitate adequate resident representation on appropriate committees within the university, the teaching hospitals, and the healthcare system as a whole
Engage in other targeted advocacy campaigns on behalf of Resident Doctors of BC as decided on by the committee and as approved by the Board of Directors
Advocate on behalf of patients to work toward improved population health by addressing the social determinants of health
Build advocacy capacity through training and experience for interested residents through participation in the committee
2018-2019 Committee:
Chair: Dr. Marianne Schwarz R4 – Neurology
Members:
Dr. Naima Kotadia R1 – Anesthesiology (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)
Dr. Daphne Lu R1 – General Surgery (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)
Dr. Sarah Silverberg R1 – Obstetrics & Gynecology (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)
Dr. Brandon Tang R1 – Internal Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)
Dr. Maryam Ahmadi R1 – Family Medicine Fraser
Dr. Ahmad Al-Araji R1 – Family Medicine
Dr. Jocelyn Andruko R2 – Emergency Medicine
Dr. Varun Bajaj R1 – Family Medicine Fraser
Dr. Jessica Bryce R1 – Family Medicine – Chilliwack
Dr. Audrea Chen R1 – Pediatrics
Dr. Chris Harper R1 – Pediatrics
Dr. Marcella Jones R2 – Family Medicine – Kelowna
Dr. Marie Kim R1 – Internal Medicine
Dr. Anmol Lamba R1 – Family Medicine Fraser
Dr. Danielle Murray R1 – Neurology
Dr. Dianne Semeniuk R1 – Psychiatry
Dr. Aarondeep Shokar R2 – Family Medicine Abbotsford
Dr. Daegan Sit R1 – Radiation Oncology
Dr. Wynn Tran R1 – Family Medicine
Dr. Vincent Valdrez R1 – Family Medicine
Dr. Annie Wang R1 – Plastic Surgery, Clinician Investigator Program
Dr. Claire Wu R1 – Internal Medicine
Dr. Elizabeth Wu R1 – Family Medicine
Dr. Linda Zhou R1 – DermatologyIf you are interested in joining a committee please contact Resident Doctors of BC.
Position Papers
- Awards Selection Committee
The Award Committee meets once per year to review the nominations for the annual Awards of Excellence. The committee is formed each year in December prior to award nominations opening in January. The committee consists of the President, Executive Director, an additional Director, and an additional member of Resident Doctors of BC. Individuals on the Selection Committee are not able to nominate or act as a reference.
- Communications Committee
The Communications Committee prepares communiques, press releases, and editorials/commentaries about relevant topics. Their goal is to increase communication between Resident Doctors of BC and its members as well as with external consumers such as the media and the general public.
2017-2018 Projects
Increase the profile of Resident Doctors of BC and residents
Prepare communiques, press releases, editorials, and commentaries on resident relevant topics
Gather member feedback on previous strategies/decisions, through consultation forums and meetings (face-to-face or electronic). Use both qualitative (focus groups) and quantitative research (online surveys, opinion polls)
Oversee the Resident Doctors of BC website and social media presence
Develop policies and strategies to address member apathy, and increase interest in events and initiatives
Provide information to the membership on the governance structure, board roles and current priorities
Provide information on Resident Doctors of BC activities and opportunities for involvement through available communication channels
2018-2019 Committee:
Chair: Dr. Geoff Frost R3 – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Resident Doctors of BC Director of Communications)
Members:
Dr. Brandon Chau R1 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)
Dr. Meriem Latrous R2 – Pediatrics (Resident Doctors of BC Director)
Dr. Emily Stewart R3 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Director of Finance)
Dr. Brandon Tang R1 – Internal Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)
Dr. Wynn Tran R1 – Family Practice
Dr. Ashley Yip R1 – Internal Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Director)
Dr. Linda Zhou R1 – Dermatology (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)If you are interested in joining a committee please contact Resident Doctors of BC.
- Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is made up of the executive members of the board and supported by the Executive Director. They discuss pertinent issues that arise relating to Resident Doctors of BC and resident issues between Board Meetings.
The Executive Committee membership is restricted to the Executive Members of the Board. If you would like to contact the Executive, please contact Resident Doctors of BC.
2018-2019 Committee:
Chair: Dr. Nicholas Monfries R3 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC President)
Members:
Dr. David Kim R3 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Immediate Past President)
Dr. James Wang R3 – Pediatrics (Resident Doctors of BC Vice-President)
Dr. Emily Stewart R3 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Director of Finance)
Dr. Geoff Frost R3 – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Resident Doctors of BC Director of Communications) - Finance Committee
This committee is populated by Board members and is responsible for developing guidelines for capital assets and funds. They also review financial statements and present the annual operating budget for the association.
The Finance Committee membership is restricted to the members listed. If you would like to contact the Finance Committee, please email Resident Doctors of BC.
2018-2019 Committee:
Chair: Dr. Emily Stewart R3 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Director of Finance)
Members:
Dr. Nicholas Monfries R3 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC President)
Dr. David Kim R3 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Immediate Past President)
Dr. Aleksandar Brezar R2 – Family Medicine [Rural Okanagan] (Resident Doctors of BC Director)
Mr. Harry Gray (Resident Doctors of BC Executive Director) - Governance Committee
This committee addresses issues pertaining to the Constitution and by-laws or Resident Doctors of BC and creates or updates polices that are directly related to the administration of the organization.
2018-2019 Projects
Review Resident Doctors of BC By-Laws and Constitution, providing recommendations as necessary
Review internal policies, providing recommendations as necessary
Create new policy statements as needed
2018 – 2019 Committee
Chair: Dr. Jimmy Wang R3 – Pediatrics (Resident Doctors of BC Vice-President)
Members:
Dr. Maryam Ahmadi R1 – Family Medicine Fraser
Dr. Brandon Chau R1 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)
Dr. Sarah Silverberg R1 – Obstetrics & Gynecology (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)
Dr. Linda Zhou R1 – Dermatology (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer) - Health & Wellness Committee
The purpose of this committee is to facilitate events of interest to residents and to increase member participation in events.
2017-2018 Committee Projects:
Propose social events to be sponsored/run by Resident Doctors of BC and continue successful events from previous years
Propose health and wellness events to be sponsored/run by Resident Doctors of BC and continue successful events from previous years
Source discounts for members
Source health and wellness resources and communicate them to the membership
Liaise with external stakeholders to determine partnership opportunities on issues of physician health and wellness
2018-2019 Committee:
Chair: Dr. James Wang R3 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Vice-President)
Members:
Dr. Meriem Latrous R2 – Pediatrics (Resident Doctors of BC Director)
Dr. Brandon Chau R1 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)
Dr. Naima Kotadia R1 – Anesthesiology (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)
Dr. Maryam Ahmadi R1 – Family Medicine – Fraser
Dr. Varun Bajaj R1 – Family Medicine – Fraser
Dr. Audrea Chen R1 – Pediatrics
Dr. Emily Fejtek R1 – Family Medicine – Fraser
Dr. Chloe Haldane R1 – Physiatry
Dr. Adam Humble R3 – Anesthesiology
Dr. Jusung Hwang R1 – Internal Medicine
Dr. Danielle Murray R1 – Neurology
Dr. Tika Okuda R1 – Family Medicine – Nanaimo
Dr. Sarah Pankratz R1 – Family Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Schnarr R1 – Internal Medicine – Vancouver Island
Dr. Carmella Solimine R1 – Family Medicine – Coastal
Dr. Ana Sosa R1 – Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dr. Dannielle Tinker R1 – Anesthesiology
Dr. Wynn Tran R1 – Family Medicine
Dr. Ashleigh Vallee R1 – Family Medicine – VictoriaIf you are interested in joining a committee please contact Resident Doctors of BC
- Labour Relations Committee
The role of this committee is to address matters pertaining to the Collective Agreement in between negotiations cycles
2017-2018 Committee Projects:
Conduct the Membership Survey in advance of the start of negotiations (shared with the Negotiations Committee, to be completed before negotiations begin)
Use the Membership Survey results to assist the Negotiations Committee with the development of negotiations priorities
Labour Relations Committee transitions to a job action committee for planning and executing a job action strategy during periods of but not limited to:
- Negotiations cycles
- When another health care union plans to go on strike or is on strike
- When the resident membership votes in favour of going on strike
2017-2018 Committee:
Chair: TBD
Members:
Dr. David Kim R2 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC President)
Dr. Vishal Varshney R5 – Anesthesiology (Resident Doctors of BC Immediate Past President)
Dr. Odion Kalaci R3 – Pediatrics (Resident Doctors of BC Director)
Mr. Harry Gray (Resident Doctors of BC Executive Director)The Labour Relations Committee membership is restricted to the members listed. If you would like to contact the Labour Relations Committee, please email Resident Doctors of BC.
- Negotiations Committee
The Negotiations Committee acts as the core Collective Agreement negotiation body for Resident Doctors of BC. They represent their fellow residents and advocate for members during negotiations by working with the organizations Chief Negotiator, Executive Director and liaising for the Board of Directors throughout the Collective bargaining process.
The Negotiations Committee is selected in advance of the expiration of the Collective Agreement by a selection committee chosen by the Board of Directors, and is active for the duration of negotiations.
Joint Committees
Resident Doctors of BC participates in these committees to work directly with stakeholders to focus on specific areas of interest for residents.
LOU Joint Committee
As part of the Letter of Understanding (LOU) between Resident Doctors of BC, HEABC and UBC a joint committee has been created to address issues affecting all parties from the Collective Agreement; this includes issues relating to Leaves of Absence, Stat Holidays, Vacation, Scheduling and Call Stipends.
It has two representatives from each party, which meets four times per year. Resident Doctors of BC has two resident representatives.
Dr. Nicholas Monfries R3 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC President)
Dr. Emily Stewart R3 – Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Director of Finance)Ministry of Health Joint Task Force
The Joint Task Force created in partnership with Resident Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health will enhance bilateral relationships while engaging resident doctors across the province to provide perspective with regards to health policy, strategic direction, and human resource planning. There are resident members on the task force in addition to the organization’s President and Vice-President.
External Committees
Residents and Resident Doctors of BC are invited to participate in committees run by other organizations. Residents who fill these roles are required to provide Resident Doctors of BC with a written report of updates that impact residents in BC.
- BC Radiological Society
Resident Members
The BCRS is a non-profit organization representing Radiologistis practicing in BC.Current Representatives:
Dr. Stefano Tolhurst, R4 Diagnostic Radiology - BC Pediatric Society
Resident Representatives
The BC Pediatric Society (BCPS) is the Professional Association of pediatricians and pediatric sub-specialists in BC. Two residents server as representatives.
Current Representatives:
Dr. Alison Lee, R6 Pediatrics
Dr. Alanna Chomyn, R3 Pediatrics - Canadian Association of General Surgeons
Residents’ Committee – Program Representative
The CAGS is a national organization representing the interests of general surgeons in Canada.Current Representative:
Dr. Kristin DeGirolamo, R4 General Surgery - Canadian Association of Pathologists
Resident Section Executive – 1 University Representative
The Canadian Association of Pathologists is the national organization for pathologists across the country.Current Representatives:
Dr. Fatemeh Derakhshan, R4 Pathology & Laboratory Medicine (UBC Representative)
Dr. Ellen Cai, R4 Pathology & Laboratory Medicine (Member-at-large) - Canadian Association of Radiologists
Resident Section Liaisons
The Canadian Association of Radiologists is the national organization representing the specialty of radiology.Current Representative:
Dr. Ravjot Dhatt, R3 Radiology (Junior Liaison) - College of Family Physicians of Canada
Section of Residents
The Section of Residents (SoR) consists of residents from across Canada’s 17 family medicine programs. The Section is represented by the SoR Council, a national committee composed of R1 and R2 representatives elected by each program to address issues relating to family medicine education from a resident’s perspective.Current Representatives:
Dr. Jason Chhina, R2 Family Practice - Divisions of Family Practice - Vancouver
Resident Board Member
Divisions of Family Practice – Vancouver is a non-for-profit organization working to improve the primary care system in Vancouver for both its patients and members.Current Representative:
Dr. Bobby Gu, R2 Family Practice - Doctors of BC
Board of Directors
Promotes a social, economic, and political climate in which members can provide the citizens of BC with the highest standard of health care while achieving maximum professional satisfaction and fair economic reward.Current Representative: Dr. Nicholas Monfries, R3 Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC President)
Council of Health Economics and Policy
Under the guidance and approval of the Board of Directors, the Council on Health Economics and Policy shall direct the activities of Doctors of BC concerned with the assessment and formulation of policy options relating to the economics, organization and management of the health care system.Current Representative:
General Practice Service Committee (GPSC) Provincial Recruitment & Retention
The committee’s mandate has evolved to include a focus on province-wide, system-influencing initiatives undertaken in active partnership with representatives from organizations that influence the future of primary care: provincial and municipal governments, health authorities, educational and training institutions, professional medical associations, rural coordinators, and family doctors through divisions and the GPSC.Current Representative:
Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues
This is a standing committee of the Doctors of BC Board of Directors that advises on issues affecting rural medicine and the working conditions of those physicians practising in rural areas of BC. The committee, through the Doctors of BC Board, is responsible for providing direction for rural negotiations with government.Current Representative: Dr. Aleksander Brezar, R2 Family Medicine
- General Surgeons of BC
Resident Member
Current Representative:
Dr. Kristin DeGirolamo, R4 General Surgery - Resident Doctors of Canada
Board of Directors
Resident Doctors of Canada (RDoC) is the national representative body of over 7,500 resident physicians in Canada. Resident Doctors of Canada works collaboratively with other national health organizations to continuously improve patient care and explore new approaches in the delivery of health care. Resident Doctors of Canada facilitates discussions amongst provincial house staff organizations (PHOs), achieving consensus on policy and advocacy issues of national interest. Resident Doctors of Canada also delivers improvement to the lives of residents in such areas as personal well-being, medical education quality, and professionalism.Current Representatives:
Dr. Alana Fleet, R2 Physiatry (Resident Doctors of BC Director)
Dr. Nicholas Monfries, R3 Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC President)
Dr. Emily Stewart, R3 Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Director of Finance)Governance & Nominating Committee
The Governance & Nominating Committee (GNC) acts as a primary resource to the RDoC Board in the advancement of best practices in the area of governance practices and procedures of the Board.Current Representative:
Dr. Alana Fleet, R2 Physiatry (Resident Doctors of BC Director)
Dr. Emily Stewart, R3 Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Director of Finance)Practice Committee
The Practice Committee works to oversee the creation and realization of activities relating to Strategic Direction #1 “Training: to optimize the continuum of medical education,” and specifically to the goals of supporting the delivery of patient-centered care and seamless transitions from training into practice. Key areas of activity for this Committee include health human resources, career planning, entry disciplines, practice management and social accountability.Current representatives:
Dr. Brandon Tang, R1 Internal Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)Regional Networking Committee
The Resident Doctors of Canada Regional Networking Committee provides a forum for information exchange between PHO affiliates of RDoC and collaboration to advance regional initiatives. Areas of discussion may include, but are not limited to: negotiations support, contractual issues, co-ordination of RDoC Committee work with that of PHOs, or assistance to a PHO who requests aid. This committee will also work to enhance communications between RDoC and PHOs. The Regional Networking Committee is comprised of 9 members, including the seven PHO presidents or their designated Board member, plus the RDoC President and Vice-President.Current Representative:
Dr. Nicholas Monfries, R3 Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC President)
Dr. Emily Stewart, R3 Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Director of Finance)Resiliency Working Group
The Resiliency Working Group works on behalf of the RDoC Board of Directors to oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of the RDoC Resiliency Curriculum.Current Representatives:
Dr. Christina Nowik, R6 Obstetrics & GynecologyTraining Committee
The Training Committee works on behalf of the RDoC Board of Directors to oversee the creation and realization of Resident Doctors’ activities relating to Strategic Direction #1 “Training: To optimize the continuum of medical education,” and specifically to the goals of contributing to and advocating on national curriculum development, accreditation, certification, licensure and examination policy and resident matching.Current Representatives:
Dr. Alana Fleet, R2 Physiatry (Resident Doctors of BC Director)
Dr. Linda Zhou, R1 Dermatology (Resident Doctors of BC Official Observer)Liaisons
CFMS – Dr. Emily Stewart, R3 Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC Director of Finance)
CFPC Residency Accreditation Committee – Dr. Madalena Dearden, R2 Family Medicine
CMA Committee on Ethics – Dr. Quentin Genuis, R2 Family Medicine
Royal College Assessment Committee – Dr. Conrad Tsang, R3 Public Health and Preventative MedicineRDoC has a number of other committees and liaison positions that are seeking participants, for more information on opportunities, please contact Resident Doctors of Canada
- Society of General Practitioners of BC
Board of Directors
Residents have two observer positions on the Board of Directors at the Society of General Practitioners.Current Representatives:
Dr. Prasenjit Das, R2 Family Practice
Dr. Kirsten Desjardins-Lorimer, R1 Family Practice - Society of Obstetricians & Gynecologists of Canada
Resident Committee
The SOGC is a national medical society of obstetricians/gynecologists, family physicians, nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals.Current Representatives:
Dr. Rachel Kim, R5 Obstetrics & Gynecology (Junior) - UBC
Faculty Executive Committee
This committee functions on behalf of the faculty committee in between meetings.Current representative:
Dr. Nicholas Monfries, R3 Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC President)Faculty Residency Committee
This Committee is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of educational standards of postgraduate training programs at the University of British Columbia. The committee reports to the Faculty Executive.Current representative:
Dr. Nicholas Monfries, R3 Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC President)This committee recommends decisions to the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Committee related to policies, new programs, or substantive changes to programs and act on behalf of the PGME Committee between its meetings.
Current Representatives:
Dr. Nicholas Monfries, R3 Emergency Medicine (Resident Doctors of BC President)
Dr. Jesse Kancir, R3 Public Health and Preventative Medicine