News

August 13, 2020

West Coast General Welcomes New Emergency Doctor

Dr. James Williams has joined the emergency depar​tment at West Coast General. As reported in the Ha-Shilth-Sa newspaper, Dr. Williams is a 28-year-old member of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation in Yukon. During his medical education at the University of British Columbia, he completed rural elective work in Port Alberni.

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August 10, 2020

Thank you, Dr. Jim Ferguson

For more than 35 years, Dr. Jim Ferguson faithfully served the people of the Alberni Valley until last spring, when he stepped back from full time surgical work. 

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August 7, 2020

Pioneering GP Oncologist Dr. Margaret Smith Retires

Victoria General Practitioner Oncologist, Dr. Margaret Smith retired from her medical practice earlier this summer. Dr. Smith grew up in Edmonton, graduating medical school at the University of Alberta in 1976 before moving to Victoria. The blend of science and helping people drew her to a career in medicine. ​

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July 29, 2020

A passion for public health: meet Mike Benusic, Island Health’s new MHO

In July, Dr. Mike Benusic joined Island Health as the new Medical Health Officer (MHO) for central Vancouver Island. He takes over that role from Paul Hasselback, who retired recently following a decades-long career in public health.

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July 14, 2020

Remembering Dr. Kim Stevenson

Anesthesiologist Dr. Stevenson passed away suddenly in April. Department Head Dr. Ruta wrote this letter in remembrance

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July 9, 2020

​​​​​​Special Island Health Edition Celebrates Health Care Heroes

Read about how virtual care transformed from a little-used option to an essential tool in Island Health's pandemic response; how our Health Protection and Environmental Services team came together to meet the challenges of COVID-19; find great staycation ideas for your summer holidays, and some great tips for creating tasty meals.​​ 

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June 30, 2020

Island Health PQI project aims to relieve the stress of pandemic health care workers

Victoria psychiatrist Dr. Joanna Cheek and her team—psychiatrists, family doctors, residents, medical students, counsellors, and specialist consultants created a Stress First Aid and Peer Support Virtual Workshop to assist their frontline peers.

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June 29, 2020

Retiring in interesting times: Dr. Paul Hasselback reflects on a career in public health

When Dr. Paul Hasselback settled on July 9, 2020 as his retirement date, little did he know that he would be stepping down from his Medical Health Officer (MHO) role during dual public health emergencies: the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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