Each year, Doctors of BC recognizes the extraordinary achievements and contributions of physicians, residents, and medical students throughout the province with our Doctors of BC Awards. Members of the public also have the chance to be recognized, either individually or as part of an organization, for their work in improving the health and safety of British Columbians.
Doctors of BC is proud to congratulate the 2024 recipients who were honoured at our annual Awards Gala in late January. If you know an individual or group whose work has made an impact and deserves recognition, consider nominating them for the 2025 Doctors of BC Awards. You can learn more about the awards, and access the nomination forms and criteria, on our Awards page. If you have any questions, please contact awards@doctorsofbc.ca.
Dr Don Rix Award for Physician Leadership
Established in memory of the late Dr Donald Rix, this award recognizes lifetime achievements and exemplary physician leadership so outstanding that it serves as an inspiration and a challenge to the medical profession in British Columbia.
Dr Roger Wong
Dr Roger Wong exemplifies leadership across the medical continuum. Dr Wong works tirelessly to advance geriatric care, making a significant impact on the care for older people in Canada and around the world. As Vice Dean (Education) at UBC’s Faculty of Medicine, he is a staunch advocate for lifelong learning. A past president of the Canadian Geriatrics Society and founder of the Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit in Vancouver, Dr Wong has been recognized for his exceptional leadership in the field of seniors’ health by the Canadian Geriatrics Society, the British Geriatrics Society, and more. He has received medical education awards from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the UBC Killam Teaching Prize, and the UBC Department of Medicine Master Teacher Award. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2020 – the one of the first geriatricians to be appointed this civilian honour, for his contributions to geriatric medicine. A demonstrated, celebrated, mentor in medical education, clinical geriatrics, and the wider community, Dr Wong is an inspiring medical leader.
Dr David M Bachop Gold Medal for Distinguished Medical Service
The Dr David M Bachop Gold Medal is given to a BC doctor who has made an extraordinary contribution in the field of organized medicine and/or community service. Achievement should be so outstanding as to serve as an inspiration and a challenge to the medical profession in BC.
Dr Kathleen Ross
A distinguished medical leader and trusted family physician, Dr Kathleen Ross has had a profound impact on the profession and patients by helping establish health care policy and leading grassroots improvements. Dr Ross is a past president of Doctors of BC, and more recently, the Canadian Medical Association. She has served as Physician Lead and chair since inception of Pathways, an indispensable online clinical and referral tool for physicians in BC and the Yukon, and is a founding member and Physician Lead for the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice. Her philanthropic work includes considerable involvement in the Coquitlam Rotary Club, having been twice recognized for her health care educational training project work in remote Andean regions of Peru and with the Girl Guides of Canada. Dr Ross has represented physicians at provincial, federal, and international levels— and led a medical contingent that attended the UN Climate Conference in Dubai. Her commitment to the medical profession, and her patients, is nothing short of outstanding.
Dr David M Bachop Silver Medal
The Dr David M Bachop Silver Medal in general medical practice is presented annually to the UBC family practice resident or the practice-eligible British Columbia registered general practitioner who achieves the best overall result in the Family Practice Certification.
Dr Jacqueline Erickson
Dr Jacqueline Erickson completed her medical school education with The University of British Columbia, in the Southern Medical Program. Following a move to Campbell River, where she completed her family practice residency training, she developed a keen interest in Addiction Medicine. Dr Erickson currently works at the North Island Medical Clinic and is collaborating with a colleague to establish a sustainable addiction medicine service for rural communities in the North Island.
Doctors of BC Silver Medal of Service
The Doctors of BC Silver Medal of Service is awarded to physicians who have made outstanding contributions to medicine and/or the improvement of British Columbians’ welfare.
Dr Kathleen Cadenhead
Dr Kathleen Cadenhead has always had a keen interest in nutrition, obtaining a degree in Dietetics and Nutrition prior to her decision go into medicine. Through her work as Chair of the Nutrition Committee, a subcommittee of Doctors of BC’s Council on Health Promotion (COHP), Dr Cadenhead made outstanding contributions to the nutritional welfare of British Columbians—including improving food literacy in schools, supporting education around fad diets, and increasing regulations around energy drinks in the province. A family doctor for more than 35 years, Dr Cadenhead is a UBC Department of Family Practice Clinical Associate Professor, having taught and mentored students and residents for decades, and has received the UBC Department of Family Practice Post-Graduate Teaching Award.
Dr Bruce Hobson
Dr Bruce Hobson’s well-rounded body of work over the past four decades has been described as “extraordinarily impactful.” His tireless efforts have included more than 30 years of longitudinal family medicine in Powell River and the establishment of the qathet Division of Family Practice—with 10 years served on its Board. Dr Hobson is a renowned leader in medical education, including his work with UBC Continuing Professional Development. His work in championing health information technology has seen him play an integral role in the development and the evolution of the Physician Data Collaborative, along with the Health Data Coalition (HDC), where he became Medical Director. Aside from his work on the HDC, Dr Hobson is also involved in other Doctors of BC endeavours such as the Practice Support Program, Doctors Technology Office, and the Shared Care Committee’s child and youth programs.
Dr Bin K. Lim
Dr Bin K. Lim’s exceptional contributions to Family Practice and Emergency Medicine are underpinned by his dedication to excellence and commitment in providing compassionate care to his patients. During his career at St. Paul's Hospital Emergency department, Dr Lim demonstrated outstanding skills, clinical knowledge, and a remarkable bedside manner—earning him the respect and admiration of colleagues and patients alike. His added competence in Emergency Medicine from the College of Family Physicians of Canada demonstrates his commitment to continued learning. A valued colleague and team player, Dr Lim is an active contributor to the professional development of his peers, exemplifying the core values that make a great physician every day.
Dr Tracy Monk
A generalist family physician for more than 35 years, Dr Tracy Monk has worked with Doctors of BC in many capacities, from serving on the Family Practice Services Committee to chairing the Health Data Coalition Clinical Data Stewardship Committee. A past president of the Society of General Practitioners (now BC Family Doctors), and a board member of the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice. Dr Monk was part of the contingent that developed and implemented Pathways, a first-of-its-kind online clinical and referral tool for physicians in BC and the Yukon and is currently its Physician Lead. Dr Monk is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Practice Research Office at UBC and has been honoured with the BC College of Family Physicians Award for Excellence in Family Medicine. Her 20+ years of work with “Families for School Seismic Safety,” which she also co-founded, has successfully lobbied the provincial government to seismically upgrade BC schools.
Excellence in Health Promotion Awards
These awards recognize an individual, a non-profit, and an organization that are working to improve the health and safety of British Columbians. Nominees must have demonstrated a concern for health and safety through specific actions or initiatives that show ingenuity and creativity, and result in change with the potential for positive, long-term improvement.
Individual: Individual(s): Dr Madhu Jawanda and Dr Navdeep Grewal
Having previously led the South Asian COVID Task Force, Drs Jawanda and Grewal took this experience and their decades of medical knowledge to create the medical information podcast, ‘Avaaz.” Initially created for South Asian women, the podcast contains fact-based content presented by physicians who work with patients every day, touching on topics such as mammograms, pap tests, and more. Avaaz is bridging the information gap for many in the province and is now attracting listeners of all backgrounds and providing learning opportunities for people of all genders to feel more empowered and informed about their mental and physical health. Using their communication skills and knowledge, these physicians are making a positive impact on how British Columbians of all backgrounds manage their health.
BC-Based Non-Profit: UBC Families as Partners in Care Club
The UBC Families as Partners in Care Club (FPCC) began in the fall of 2022, founded by three dedicated medical students: Ella Barrett-Chan, Kristie Mar, and Sarika Verma. Stemming from personal experiences of caring for their family members, the founders of FPCC set out to encourage the integration of family-centred care (FCC) into the undergraduate medical program at UBC, as well as develop resources for health care professionals, and establish relationships with key partners—including Family Caregivers of BC, and the Canadian Center of Caregiving Excellence. The group now includes 20 diverse medical student members involved in research, medical education, and outreach—connecting students, caregivers, patients, and health care professionals. Forging these collaborative relationships between health care workers and families supports enhanced care, and makes tangible impacts on the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the entire system.
BC-Based Organization: Volentia Healthcare Translation Services
Founded by medical student Riya Virdi and physical therapy student Lynda Li, Volentia Healthcare Translation Services responded to a pressing need for patients who experience language barriers in health care settings. The team of more than 100 student volunteers fulfils for free translation and interpretation requests in more than 14 different languages to help these patients better communicate with healthcare providers and navigate the Canadian healthcare system, while informing future doctors of the importance of culturally sensitive and equitable medical care— care that leads to improved health outcomes. Volentia has also expanded from the clinical to the research world through its partnership with BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) in the Language Barriers Project, a research study investigating the barriers and facilitators to the inclusion of research participants and their families with limited English proficiency. Their work empowers patients to become active participants in their own medical care, supporting patient-physician trust along the way.
Changemaker Awards
Each year the Changemaker Award honours one medical resident and one medical student who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication in advancing the policies, views, and goals of Doctors of BC or of a resident or student organization through grassroots advocacy efforts.
Student Changemaker: Sebastian Lopez Steven
A committed individual who champions health care reform through medical, political, and grassroots advocacy, Sebastian Lopez Steven has brought his exceptional leadership skills to a wide variety of projects. His work in the UBC Faculty of Medicine includes leadership positions in the UBC Medicine Political Advocacy Committee, whose campaigns have received extensive media attention. He completed a term as the National Officer of Health Policy (NOHP) with the Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS) in September 2024 and has a passion for improving health care for children in the Canadian foster care system. He served as the coordinator of Bike Kitchen’s Bici Libre program, which supports the health of migrant farm workers throughout the province—donating repaired bicycles to workers so they can attend healthcare appointments while maintaining employment.
Resident Changemaker: Dr Miini Teng
Dr Miini Teng has been an avid advocate for accessibility since 2010, having overcome a childhood visual disorder early in her life. Dr Teng later volunteered with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and has since founded a charitable organization called Aquafit for All. With Dr Teng’s leadership, Aquafit for All helps develop adapted aquafit programs for people with disabilities. Through her work, she has empowered individuals living with disabilities to improve their health, enhance their mobility, and foster social connections within a supportive community. Dr Teng is currently a resident studying Public Health and Preventative Medicine including Family Medicine, and her work extends far beyond accessibility—she has helped launch artificial intelligence (AI) workshops for medical students and is working with the BC Centre for Disease Control to improve healthcare access for marginalized groups during climate emergencies.
Presidential Scholars Award
This annual entrance award funds all four years of medical school, including tuition, textbooks, and student fees. Recipients must demonstrate outstanding academic performance and community involvement, with an emphasis on health care improvement. This is the sixth year the award has been granted, and due to additional funding accumulated in the endowment, there are two winners.
Taylor Bootsma
Taylor Bootsma’s passion for medicine stems from her passion for health equity and addressing systemic health care challenges faced by many. In the 2022/23 academic year, she served as president of UBC’s PRINT Arts and Crafts Club, helping to lead workshops and providing students with a creative outlet during stressful times. At the same time, Bootsmaalso donated leftover supplies and led arts and crafts workshops during weekly Women’s Nights at a Downtown Eastsideclinic. She has since co-founded the Downtown Eastside Arts and Crafts Society with Claudia Barretto, a non-profit that provides free arts programming in the community. Through her medical education, she hopes to do her part in supporting a health care system that is accessible and effective for all.
Genoise Etman
Genoise Etman credits her volunteer work in health care settings as inspiration for her choice to study medicine, seeing firsthand the combination of scientific knowledge and compassionate care on display. In 2019, she founded the QT Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering inclusivity, particularly for people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, including those facing food insecurity. Genoise also served as a Sighted Guide and Virtual Vision Mate with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) for four years. She hopes to use her medical education to contribute to the wellbeing of her future patients diverse and complex needs.
