Posted on: May 24, 2022
The BC Rural Health Conference was held May 13 -15 in Penticton, BC. This annual conference is one of Canada’s most unique and comprehensive Rural Medicine conferences, providing attendees with illuminating and rurally-relevant CME plenaries and breakout sessions, as well as hands-on skills workshops. Rural Health colleagues also have the opportunity to connect through the various social and networking events that occur.
Each year at the conference, RCCbc recognizes the phenomenal work of BC’s rural physicians and communities. At this year’s conference, Dr. Francois Bosman received recognition for going Above & Beyond. The Above and Beyond recognition is for a rural physician’s exceptional rural BC service and contributions in supporting rural health care. Congratulations Dr. Bosman!
Dr. Francois Bosman has been a dedicated physician on Gabriola Island, committed not only to the patients in his practice, but also to any and all patients requiring urgent and emergency care, regardless of the time of day or night.
Nancy Rowan, Vice President of the Gabriola Health Care Foundation (GHCF), said Dr. Bosman was also instrumental in allowing the Island to recruit more physicians so the community could have consistent care. She said Dr. Bosman recognized that the community could not attract and retain doctors without an adequate facility to work in, and that is why he collaborated with community volunteers in the development of a Community Health Centre.
“This amazing facility opened its doors in 2012 and is owned and managed by the not-for-profit GHCF and its volunteer Board of Directors,” said Ms. Rowan. “It hosts a medical clinic, three-bay urgent treatment complex, Life Labs, dental clinic, and massage therapist. Physician recruitment was not only successful due to the new facility, but also to the strong physician mentorship of Dr. Bosman to the new physicians. The demands of rural practice can be daunting to many physicians and Dr. Bosman’s strong emergency management skills and ongoing practice support enabled new physicians in adapting to rural practice.”
Dr. Tracey Thorne, Medical Director at the Gabriola Medical Centre, said that Dr. Bosman worked countless hours to fight for Gabriola Island residents and, although he will never get those hours back, his legacy will be remembered.
“His leadership and dedication led to change, led to improvement, and led to sustainability in his community,” said Dr. Thorne. “He will remember the hard work, but our community will never forget his good work. He made an immeasurable contribution to the health of Gabriola, and his dedication ensured this community would thrive and become a model of care across the province.”