The Doctors of BC 2023 survey identified a strong need for the development of additional resources and tools to improve psychological safety for medical staff at Island Health. As a result, the Culture Conference Planning Committee was created to develop educational opportunities to promote and improve Psychological Safety in the Workplace. The annual Culture Conference are provide the foundation and the resource and tools to address psychological safety in a consistent fashion at Island Health.
- Culture Conference 2026
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SAVE THE DATE!
WHAT:
Get ready to dive into an amazing day filled with inspiring talks, activities, and awesome people!
Improving psychological safety is a key organizational priority, and this event aims to provide medical leaders and future medical leaders with actionable learnings and resources to address and improve Psychological Safety at Island Health.
Funding for this event is outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Physical and Psychological Health and Safety in the 2022 Physician Master Agreement (PMA) and supports the work of Provincial Physician Health & Safety Working Group (PPHSWG).
This full-day event will be accredited for UBC Continuing Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine for MOC and Mainpro+ credits.
- Breakfast and hot lunch will be provided.
- Bus shuttle service will be provided to/from event from RJH, VGH, CRH and CVH.
Mark your calendar!
This conference is geared towards medical leaders and future medical leaders and will provide actionable learnings and resources.
WHEN:
Friday, May 1st, 2026
WHERE:
Vancouver Island Conference Centre
101 Gordon Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5J8
TIME:
8:30am – 4:00pm
To SAVE THE DATE - click here; or scan the QR Code below:
AGENDA and KEYNOTE SPEAKER DETAILS COMING SOON!
REFLECTIONS from the April 28th, 2025, Culture Conference
PechaKucha Speaker – Carrie Watts, Head Coach UVic, Vikes Basketball
Listening to Carrie Watt's presentation at the culture conference deeply resonated with me as it put language to the feeling that I have always had, which is that varsity basketball was the primary driving force that allowed me to succeed in medical school and in my career as a physician.
The demands of a student athlete are immense, but with the right support and training it gives young adults skills that are transferable for the rest of their lives. In my current life, being a physician, mother, teacher, and mentor is challenging at times. However, it is made manageable by using the same skills I learned as an athlete, student, teammate and friend. Both require determination, unwavering commitment, and continuous learning. As Carrie said, "Once you learn to lead yourself, you are then able to lead others." I believe I learned to lead myself during my time as a varsity athlete, and now can parlay that into my working relationships.
I also think that learning to work as a team is an invaluable skill that is directly transferable to medicine. We constantly have to work with other physicians, nurses, physio, pharmacy, lab techs, family members and of course our patients. Working through conflict, neutralizing the negatives and promoting the positives, and approaching every problem with curiosity are directly relatable concepts that Carrie touched on.
This is not to say that these skills can not be learned or transferred from other experiences, but sport was my lived experience. I was so interested to hear that 95% of Women in C-suite positions played sports, and 52% played at the college level. That certainly has emphasized my desire to not only continue my teaching roles in medicine, but also promote sports activities and coaching with my kids, as well as giving back to the Vikes Women's basketball team as an Alumni mentor to current student athletes who are learning to "Compete, commit and connect."
Dr. Jane McGregor
MD, CCFP
- Culture Conference 2025
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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
WHAT:
The Culture Conference: Psychological Safety in the Workplace is an educational opportunity to create a firm foundation for promoting and maintaining psychological safety at Island Health for all medical staff.
This conference is geared towards medical leaders and future medical leaders and will provide actionable learnings and resources.
WHEN:
Monday, April 28th, 2025
WHERE:
Vancouver Island Conference Centre
101 Gordon Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5J8
For more details and to register - click here; or scan the QR Code below:
Agenda and Keynote Speaker Details:
