Organizations
Local & VCH-Affiliated Organizations
VCH Department of Family & Community Practice
Under the VCH Medical Staff Bylaws, each medical specialty is to have a Department which is responsible for hospital privileges, governance and professional support. The Department of Family & Community Practice is the home for family physicians who work within VCH, either in a hospital-setting (Vancouver Acute) or outside the hospital (Vancouver Community). It assists members with credentialing, continuing medical education (CME), quality & scholarly support and wellness.
Vancouver Medical, Dental and Allied Staff Association (VMDAS)
The Vancouver Medical, Dental and Allied Staff Association (VMDAS) is the association for all physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists and allied staff at VGH, UBC Hospital, and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre and the medical staff affiliated within the Vancouver community. They represent over 1,900 medical staff within Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).
For more information, visit: https://vmdas.ca/
Vancouver Physician Staff Association (VPSA)
The VPSA is a non-profit society that was established in 2016 as part of the provincial Facility Engagement Initiative and works closely with VMDAS. This work is supported by funding from the Specialist Services Committee’s Facility Engagement Initiative.
VPSA members are VMDAS members plus Credentialed Medical Providers who work in Vancouver Community.
VPSA’s objectives include strengthening relationships between VCH and physicians who work at VGH, UBC Hospital, GF Strong, and Vancouver Community and improving the physician work environment, the delivery of patient care, and the cost effectiveness of the health-care system.
For more information, visit: https://vmdas.ca/about-us/
Divisions of Family Practice
Divisions of Family Practice are community-based groups of family physicians working together to achieve common health care goals in their communities, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care.
Divisions work collaboratively with community and health care partners at the community, regional and provincial levels to share the voice of family physicians and increase family physicians’ impact and influence on health care delivery and policy.
BC has 36 divisions representing more than 230 communities, including a dedicated division that supports family physicians in remote and rural areas of the province.
The Divisions of Family Practice initiative is funded by the Family Practice Service Committee (FPSC), one of four joint committees that represent a partnership of the provincial government and Doctors of BC.
For more information, visit: https://divisionsbc.ca/vancouver
Facility Engagement Initiative & FEMS
The Facility Engagement Initiative is a province-wide program of the Specialist Services Committee (SSC), launched in 2016 as part of the Physician Master Agreement.
It provides funding and structure for facility-based physicians — coordinated through Medical Staff Associations like VMDAS — to engage with health authorities on decisions about their work environment and patient care delivery. The Facility Engagement Management System (FEMS) is the web-based platform physician societies use to manage this work: it processes sessional claims for engagement activities, tracks participation and funding, and supports standardized reporting to Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health.
Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs)
The Joint Collaborative Committees are four committees created under the Physician Master Agreement to bring together doctors, government, health authorities, patients, and other partners to improve the health care system. Each has a distinct mandate, but all are grounded in quality improvement methodology and work to align their efforts provincially.
Family Practice Services Committee (FPSC)
Formerly the General Practice Services Committee (GPSC), this committee focuses on strengthening primary and community care. FPSC funds initiatives such as the Divisions of Family Practice and works to improve the practice environment and career sustainability for family physicians in BC.
For more information, visit: https://fpscbc.ca/
Shared Care Committee (SCC)
Also formed in 2006, Shared Care supports family physicians and specialists in improving the coordination and integration of care between primary and specialist practice.
For more information, visit: https://sharedcarebc.ca/
Specialist Services Committee (SSC)
Formed in 2006, the SSC engages specialist physicians to collaborate on system improvement, lead quality improvement work, and enhance the delivery of specialist care and specialist work environments across BC. It also administers the Facility Engagement Initiative.
For more information, visit: https://sscbc.ca/
Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC)
Formed in 2001 under the Rural Subsidiary Agreement, the JSC works to enhance the availability and stability of physician services in rural and remote areas of BC, addressing the unique circumstances of rural practice. Its initiatives are largely coordinated through the Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCBC).
Provincial Physician Organizations
Doctors of BC
Doctors of BC (formerly the British Columbia Medical Association, BCMA) is the professional association representing all licensed physicians, medical students, and residents in the province. It negotiates the Physician Master Agreement with the BC government — which funds the Joint Collaborative Committees — and advocates on behalf of the profession on compensation, working conditions, and health policy.
For more information, visit: https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/
BC Family Doctors
BC Family Doctors (formerly the Society of General Practitioners of BC) is the economic and political voice of family doctors in BC. It represents family physicians at tables such as the Family Practice Services Committee and in negotiations between Doctors of BC and government, focusing on improving the system of care for patients and physicians and providing billing tools and practical resources.
For more information, visit: https://bcfamilydocs.ca/
BC College of Family Physicians (BCCFP)
The BC College of Family Physicians is the professional home of family medicine in the province, providing leadership, continuing professional development, education, and awards recognizing excellence in family practice for its members. It is distinct from BC Family Doctors — BCCFP’s focus is professional and educational, while BC Family Doctors’ focus is advocacy and economics.
For more information, visit: https://www.bccfp.bc.ca/
College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC)
The CPSBC is the independent regulatory body that licenses and oversees all physicians and surgeons practicing in BC, in the public interest. It sets standards of practice and conduct and handles complaints and discipline — distinct from the advocacy and support roles of Doctors of BC, BC Family Doctors, and the BCCFP.
For more information, visit: https://www.cpsbc.ca/