Medical Staff News
News
2026 National Indigenous History Month & Peoples Day
A day to listen, learn, honour, and celebrate the cultures, traditions, languages, and histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Read a selection of stories below, that showcase events, news, and Island Health initiatives:
Island Health Medical Staff Bulletin
In this June issue, you'll find information on the Medical Staff Forum May 28, 2026, Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day, Medical Leader Opportunity and more.
2026 National Indigenous Peoples Day – An Invitation to all to Participate
Sunday, June 21st, is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is a day to listen, learn, recognize, and celebrate the many unique cultures, rich traditional knowledge, languages, traditions, experiences, and histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across what is colonially known today as Canada.
Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation Launches 'Shine on Healthcare' Raffle
The Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation has launched the Shine On Healthcare Raffle in support of the Emergency Department at the Comox Valley Hospital.
Community Medical Director, Port Alberni & West Coast (CMD-PAWC-1)
The Community Medical Director Port Alberni & West Coast is responsible for medical staff governance and clinical quality, consistent with Island Health’s Medical Staff By-laws and Rules, Primary Care policies, and quality structures.
Community Health Services Learning Burst Project Update
Twenty-four learning sessions. delivered across eight acute sites and regional forums were held, gathering broad feedback from over 150 healthcare professionals and Medical Staff. Their insights helped tailor learning materials and resources to address real-world knowledge gaps and barriers to referral.
Family Presence Policy Implementation
Hospitalizations and interactions within the healthcare environment can be challenging experiences for clients and their loved ones. The Family Presence Policy helps formalize consistent practices for family presence across care areas and acknowledges the important supportive role that families can play in the care experience.
Patients of Western Communities Substance Use Program being transitioned
As of June 30, 2026, the Western Communities Substance Use Program (WCSUP) will close following a planned transition by Island Health’s Addiction Medicine and Substance Use (AMSU) program. Since 2022, WCSUP has delivered substance use care through a single physician, later co located at the Western Communities MHSU Hub.
Seeing Alcohol Differently: a new province-wide campaign
A new province-wide awareness campaign called See Alcohol Differently invites British Columbians to rethink how alcohol shows up in their daily lives and how it may be influencing their decisions.
The Importance of Language in Eliminating Indigenous-specific Racism and Advancing Indigenous Cultural Safety & Humility
As Island Health continues its commitment to advancing Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility (ICSH) and addressing Indigenous-specific racism, it is important that we are thoughtful and intentional about the language we use. Language is not simply about using the "right" words, it is about understanding the history, context, and impacts behind those words.