Regional Advisors and Advocates

Advocating for you in your communities

Doctors of BC has a team of Regional Advisors and Advocates (RAAs) who support physicians in the communities where you live and work. They are your first point of contact to assist you in seeking services and support from Doctors of BC.
Specifically, your RAA will:

1. Advise and Advocate for you by:

• Assisting with issues locally, with the health authority, and provincially.
• Supporting you with complaints or discipline issues to ensure you are treated fairly and proper processes are followed.
• Providing individual and group contract support.
• Representing you as the regional staff contact for the new Memorandum of Agreement on Physical and Psychological Safety in the PMA.

2. Inform you about Doctors of BC initiatives and other local, regional or provincial issues by:

• Providing information and answering questions about the PMA.
• Promoting the Health Authority Engagement Survey and sharing the results.
• Updating you on opportunities for involvement in Doctors of BC initiatives, projects, and committees.

3. Connect you to Doctors of BC services, resources, and benefits by:

• Providing expertise with MSP, WorkSafeBC, and ICBC billing and  payment challenges.
• Linking you to resources and supports such as the Physician Health Program, Audit and Billing support, and Negotiations.

Get to know your Regional Advisor and Advocate (RAA):

Ms Eileen Janel, Fraser: I am passionate about driving positive change through physician advocacy and engagement. As a RAA, I serve as a local advocate in navigating complex situations and providing a safe and effective space to dialogue on current and relevant topics. Each day brings the opportunity to network and bring partners together across various sectors, to learn new ways of doing things, and to take on new challenges. My ultimate goal is to support physicians in doing what is best for their patients, colleagues, and the healthcare system as a whole. View Email AddressContact me here.

Mr Brent Weiss, Interior: Working with doctors to help them achieve their goals and improve patient care makes me feel as though I’m indirectly contributing to the delivery of care. I love that part of my job and I love the regional aspect – the different communities, the unique needs and the mix of rural and urban sites. In my role I’ve helped improve doctors’ work environments and inter-physician relationships which in turn lets them focus on what matters most – patient care. And if I can make any small change, for one doctor or a group of doctors, to me that is success. View Email AddressContact me here. 

Ms Alanna Black, Island: The most fulfilling part of my job is collaborating first-hand with doctors to problem solve and to find unique solutions to common goals. Every day I have the privilege of directly experiencing how much doctors care for their patients while helping to implement meaningful change in the communities in which we work and live – change that benefits both doctors and patients alike. It is very rewarding to navigate our health care system alongside care providers in a way that positively impacts physicians’ practices and patient care. View Email AddressContact me here.

Ms Michelle Pele, North: I appreciate the importance of community and regional issues that doctors in the Northern rural settings are faced with. I understand the value of building effective collaborative relationships as well as navigating complex pathways and improving physician work environments. I take pride in supporting the physicians that work in the north and assisting to effectively resolve difficult complex situations and improve patient care. I have extensive experience in conflict resolution and managing issues in a pro-active manner to mitigate risk before it occurs. View Email AddressContact me here.

Ms Elisabeth White, Vancouver & Coast and PHSA: I believe that physicians are able to provide the highest quality of care when they are working in settings where they feel supported and respected. My favorite part about my position is helping physicians navigate complex issues that improve the healthcare system for both patients and healthcare professionals. Through living and working in the community that I support, I’m able to meet with members to understand their unique needs and find common solutions. View Email AddressContact me here.