MSES & MDSA Newsletter - January 2026 | Upcoming Quarterly All-Staff Meeting | MDSA All-Staff Meeting, Teams Wednesday March 11, 2026, 12:00p - 1:00p Our next MDSA All-Staff meeting will happen at lunch hour! More details to come on the agenda - keep an eye on your email for details. Secure the meeting in your calendar: An invitation was sent out to all MDSA members. If you haven't seen it, or you would like to change your contact information send us an email. You can also add the Teams link to your calendar by clicking on your preferred calendar icon below. | Recap: PHSA Medical Staff Wellbeing Survey email in Newsletter folder | Recap: Medical Staff Lounge at the BC Cancer Summit | Thank you to all the medical staff, special guests, leaders and collaborative partners that joined us in the 2nd Annual Medical Staff Lounge at the 2025 BC Cancer Summit. This year we were open for three days, offered space for engaging conversations between medical staff and leaders from across the province, and gave away prizes. We look forward to building on the successes of this year for future in person events. If you attended, send us an email to let us know how we did. If you didn't attend, send us an email to let us know what would have made a difference. | | Congratulations to our Daily Prize Draw Winners of $150 gift card of their choice! Thursday: Dr. Nicole Chau, Medical Oncologist, Vancouver Friday: Dr. Fred Hsu, Radiation Oncologist, Abbotsford Saturday: Dr. Mary Georgilas, General Practitioner Oncology, Vancouver | Check back in February for: PHSA Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) Program | Peer Recognition in Action! | As a community of medical staff, you are improving wellness by sharing gratitude and coffee! To date: 193 Kudos submissions have been made, 111 this fiscal year so far; both senders and recipients have received a $5 coffee gift card and a message of gratitude. Since our last newsletter, these medical staff have been recognized for leading the way, providing excellent care to patients, and supporting and inspiring colleagues. - Dr. Nicole Chau, Medical Oncologist, Vancouver
- Dr. Michelle Ferguson, Radiation Oncologist, Victoria
- Dr. Theodora Koulis, Radiation Oncologist, Victoria
- Dr. Bernie Eigl, Medical Oncologist, Vancouver
- Dr. Mary Georgilas, General Practitioner Oncology, Vancouver
- Dr. Susan Ellard, Medical Oncologist, Kelowna
- Dr. Jessica Leung, General Practitioner Oncology, Vancouver
- Stan Marchuk, Nurse Practitioner, Vancouver
- Dr. Don Wilson, Radiologist, Vancouver
- Dr. Monty Martin, Radiologist, Vancouver
- Dr. Winkle Kwan, Radiation Oncologist, Surrey
- Dr. Guliz Ozgun, Medical Oncologist, Vancouver
- Dr. Elisa Chan, Radiation Oncologist, Vancouver
- Dr. Janine Davies, Medical Oncologist, Vancouver
- Dr. Will Jiang, Radiation Oncologist, Surrey
- Dr. Allison Ye, Radiation Oncologist, Prince George
- Dr. Martha Koehn, General Practitioner Oncology, Surrey
- Dr. Thao Nguyen, Medical Oncologist, Abbotsford
- Dr. Sian Shuel, General Practitioner Oncology, Abbotsford
- Dr. Susan Ellard, Medical Oncologist, Kelowna
- Dr. Angela Lin, Radiation Oncologist, Kelowna
- Dr. Sally Smith, Radiation Oncologist, Victoria
- Dr. Zia Poonja, Medical Oncologist, Victoria
- Dr. Sanji Ali, Medical Oncologist, Abbotsford
- Dr. Christine Simmons, Medical Oncologist, Vancouver
- Dr. Randy Marback, General Practitioner Oncology, Nanaimo
It only takes a few minutes to spread your gratitude, share a coffee, and bring a little positivity to a colleague's day. | Shared Care Committee Cancer Plan Project Update | About the Shared Care Cancer Call for Proposals The Shared Care Committee (SCC), a partnership between Doctors of BC and the BC government, supports collaboration between family and specialist physicians to deliver high-quality, integrated care and build sustainable, coordinated health system improvements across BC. Through its Cancer Call for Proposals (CfP), the SCC, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, PHSA, and BC Cancer, funded physician-led projects that advance BC’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan and priority areas to enhance cancer care. In November 2025, 14 full projects were funded across five health authorities, focusing on themes such as pain and symptom management, improving diagnostic pathways, and transitions in care. An additional expression of interest was also approved in 2025. | | Equity Model of Care for the Downtown Eastside (DTES) | About This Project The Equity Model of Care for the DTES is one of 14 SCC–funded projects selected through the Call for Proposals. This project brings together BC Cancer (PHSA), Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), and Downtown Eastside (DTES) community health centres and Indigenous Health teams to build a coordinated, culturally safe cancer care pathway grounded in equity principles. The project focuses on improving referral processes, enhancing communication between oncology and primary care teams, and integrating the Equity-Oriented Model of Care (EMOC) into clinical practice. By centering patient experience, Indigenous partnership, and cross-health authority collaboration, the initiative aims to reduce barriers for structurally vulnerable patients and support better treatment completion rates. Why It Matters Patients in the DTES face complex challenges, including housing insecurity, chronic illness, mental health and substance-use concerns, intergenerational traumas, and limited access to primary care. Strengthening the cancer care pathway requires coordinated, patient-centred solutions that move across health authority boundaries. This SCC–funded project demonstrates how collaborative, equity-driven approaches can create more accessible, culturally grounded care for communities facing systemic inequities. Explore the Full Story To read the full project article, including patient engagement, Indigenous partnership, sustainability planning, and cross-authority collaboration, click here. To learn more about the Shared Care Cancer Call for Proposals initiative, click here. | Facility Engagement Funding: Turning ideas into action | Medical Staff Led Engagement Projects | 2025/26 Applications are now closed All funds allocated to support projects for this fiscal year have been distributed, no further applications for projects this year will be considered. We look forward to funded projects moving forward and to sharing project results with you as they come in. Accepting Applications for 2026/27 You can get a head start on project ideas for next year (beginning April 1, 2026). If you have an idea to engage medical staff or to improve the quality of patient care at your centre or across the province, let us know. You can receive up to $7500 in funding to use during our fiscal year (April 1 - March 31). Next deadline: February 15 for review and decision in March. Approved funding will be available April 1, 2026. Regular 2026/27 Application Deadlines: - February 15, 2026
- May 15, 2026
- August 15, 2026
- November 15, 2026
| Get Inspired! Past Engagement Projects | Tap into your colleagues across the province for inspiration See what other BC Cancer Medical Staff have done with recent project funding here. For a peak into the projects and learnings at other sites across BC check out the Site Engagement Activity Tracker (SEAT) Database from Facility Engagement. | | Regional Funding Working for Medical Staff Priorities | MSES & MDSA sets aside Facility Engagement Funds to support your regional centre. Regional Representatives will be looking for ideas or topics of interest. Connect with your MDSA Regional Representative with your ideas for events. - Vancouver: Dr. Elisa Chan & Dr. Janine Davies
- Prince George: Dr. Allison Ye
- Surrey: Dr. Will Jiang & Dr. Elysha Vanderveer
- Abbotsford: *NEW* Dr. Sanji Ali
- Victoria: Dr. Zia Poonja & Dr. Sally Smith
- Kelowna: Dr. Angela Lin & Dr. Susan Ellard
- CON sites: *NEW* Dr. Randy Marback
| | Deadline this week! Apply for a Wellbeing Grant from BC Cancer Medical and Staff Wellbeing and Engagement Initiative | What’s happening? - BC Cancer is committed to creating a healthier, safer environment for all of us — and now, the Medical and Staff Wellbeing and Engagement initiative is inviting you to help bring that vision into action.
- To support innovative ideas that promote staff wellness, applications for wellbeing grants are now open! These grants can be used to fund projects, events, causes or training that enhance staff wellbeing and engagement across our teams.
When is it happening? - Application window: December 8, 2025 – January 23, 2026
- Up to five projects will be funded, each to a maximum of $5,000
- Decisions: Approximately two weeks after the application window closes
- Funds must be used for the approved purpose within 12 months of the award date.
How to apply? This is your chance to turn your ideas into action and make difference for yourself and your colleagues. Questions? | Physician Health Program support groups 2026 | The Doctors of BC's Physician Health Program is offering physician only support groups in 2026 - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): for support with anxiety, depression, and stress.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia: to support and improve your sleep.
- Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC): A culturally safe, non-judgmental space to explore identity, workplace challenges, resilience, and shared lived experiences.
Visit here to view session times, register and learn more. | | Medical Staff Wellness and Learning Rounds Launching February 2026 | New CME accredited presentation and discussion series aimed at exploring issues affecting medical staff wellbeing, safety, and practice: Medical Staff Wellness and Learning Rounds In February 2026, the first session, Neurodiversity at Work presented by PHSA’s Psychological Health & Safety team, will focus on how to build a stronger, more inclusive team that improves both workplace dynamics and the care provided. Neurodiversity at Work - Date: February 5
- Time: 4–6 p.m.
- Format: Virtual session with presentation and breakout discussions
Click here to register. Look for more events details from PHSA Medical Staff Communications, or email ASCEND@phsa.ca for more information. | What's Happening at BC Cancer & PHSA | BC Cancer Medical Affairs Office Hours | Resource reminder! BC Cancer Medical Affairs hosts regular office hours where you can bring your questions for live answers to the Medical Affairs team! Drop in with your questions as you are able. Next scheduled Office Hours: January 28, 2026 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm All BC Cancer Physicians should receive unique invites via email to join these events. If you haven't seen the latest invite email Mia Vorland at the Medical Affairs office. | | Find out the latest on the AccessMyHealth Portal project including answers to FAQs and user tips. See the latest Provider Bulletin (#8) featuring information on distribution of clinical documentation and how to withhold sensitive information from the portal here. You can find all previous (and future) bulletins by clicking on + Memos/Bulletins in the Provider section on the CST Cerner Help page. | | In case you missed it: Cancer Action Plan Update | Share your thoughts Which connections between the BC Cancer work and the 10-year Cancer Action Plan are you most excited about? What challenges and opportunities do you see for th coming year? Talk to your MDSA Regional Representative or send us an email with your thoughts | The latest information: In case you missed it: | | As medical staff with privileges at BC Cancer including regional centres and community oncology network sites, you are a member of MSES & MDSA and receiving this bulletin. MSES is funded through Facility Engagement, a provincial initiative of the Specialist Services Committee. | | | | | |
