JuLY 2026, Vol. 4 Ed. 4

President’s Message

As we head into the summer months, I hope each of you has the opportunity to take a well-deserved break, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy everything that makes living in Vancouver so special. 

Whether it’s getting out into nature, exploring our beautiful parks and coastline, or simply taking time to recharge, I hope you find a chance to reset and return refreshed.

Although many of us will be taking some time away over the summer, work continues behind the scenes. We’re excited by the positive feedback we’ve received on our new Project Champions initiative and are looking forward to building on that momentum. We’re also beginning plans for an MSA Project Day next March, where project teams will have the opportunity to showcase their work, share lessons learned, and celebrate the impact of these initiatives across our campus. This aligns with the Executive’s plans to strengthen the Projects Review Committee and explore making Project Day a key part of future funded projects.  

And finally, although summer has begun, we’re already looking ahead to planning a holiday celebration later this year—a chance for our community to come together outside of work. 

On behalf of the Executive, thank you for your continued engagement and support. Wishing you and your families a happy, healthy, and relaxing summer. 

Warm regards,
Dr. Katey Armstrong
President, MSACW

FESC Update: Voting Results & Next Steps  

In case you missed it, at our MSA Quarterly General Meeting on Monday, June 8th, members voted in favour of dissolving the MSA Engagement Society and moving forward with the transition to the Facility Engagement Services Company (FESC) model. The MSA is now taking the necessary next steps to legally and formally dissolve the Engagement Society and proceed with the transition in accordance with the approved resolutions.

This transition will help streamline administrative processes and create greater capacity to direct resources toward future projects, initiatives, and opportunities that support medical staff engagement!

Membership Voting Results

General Vote: FESC Transition

• 77% voted in favour of dissolving the Engagement Society and transitioning fully to a FESC site
• 9% voted in favour of maintaining the Engagement Society as it currently operates
• 12% abstained

Members also voted on two Ordinary Resolutions required to support the transition:

Ordinary Resolution #1: Request dissolution of the Society with the Registrar of Companies for British Columbia

• 84% in favour
• 0% opposed
• 15% abstained

Ordinary Resolution #2: Appoint Dr. Sally Lawrence, MSA Treasurer, as Record Keeper of the Society

• 94% in favour
• 0% opposed
• 5% abstained

Thank you to everyone who participated in the discussion and took the time to vote. Your engagement and support are an important part of this transition. We look forward to this next chapter with FESC and continuing to support meaningful projects, initiatives, and opportunities that strengthen our medical staff community.

Want to learn more about FESC?

For more information about the Facility Engagement Services Company (FESC), including its role in supporting Medical Staff Associations and managing administrative processes related to Facility Engagement funding, please review the FESC Membership Package.  

Help Us Pick Our September Engagement Lunch Caterer

Our monthly engagement lunches are a chance to step away from our desks, clinics, and busy schedules to connect with colleagues from across our medical staff community. Each month, these lunches bring together medical staff, departmental and divisional heads, PHSA leaders, and guest speakers to share updates, exchange ideas, and build connections. They offer a chance to hear from leaders across the organization, learn something new, and take a well-deserved break over a good meal.

Now it’s time for one of the most important decisions of the month… What should we eat?

We’re inviting you to help choose the caterer for our September Engagement Lunch. Whether you’re passionate about tacos, love the rich flavours of Persian cuisine, obsessed with Korean-inspired power bowls, can’t say no to Indian food, or have another local favourite in mind, we want to hear from you. If your top choice isn’t on the list, don’t worry. Select Other and let us know who you think deserves a spot at a future Engagement Lunch. We’re always looking for new local restaurants and caterers to try.

Here are your options:

• Disco Cheetah
• Le Grotta Del Formaggio Sandwiches 
• Sahel Persian Restaurant
• Tasty Indian Bistro
• La Taqueria
• Other (Share your favourite local caterer!)

Thank you for helping us decide what’s on the menu this September. We look forward to another afternoon of great food, engaging conversations, and the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across our medical staff community. Happy voting!

Important Notice: Temporary Pause to the FEMS Platform

Friendly Reminder: Don’t Forget the 90-Day Submission Rule!

We’re excited to share that 14 MASES projects have been approved so far this fiscal year! As approved projects move forward, we wanted to share a quick and friendly reminder about FEMS claim submissions to help keep everything running smoothly.

Once your project is approved, you will receive confirmation to move ahead. From there, please make sure to keep your receipts and documentation organized so claims can be submitted through FEMS without delay once your activity or expenses are complete.

A key reminder is the 90-day rule for FEMS claims. All claims need to be submitted within 90 days of the date of the activity or expense. Anything submitted after this window may not be eligible for reimbursement, so it’s best to submit as soon as you can while everything is still fresh! Staying on top of timelines helps ensure quicker processing and avoids unnecessary delays.

If you are ever unsure about your approval, what can be claimed, or how to submit through FEMS, please don’t hesitate to reach out to projects@msacw.ca.

For any payment-related questions or issues once your claim has been approved, including VoPay or other reimbursement inquiries, please contact engagement@msacw.ca.

Frontline Faculty Focus

Welcome to “Frontline Faculty Focus”, where we profile members of the MSA. If you’d like to get your mug into the newsletter, please send us an email at engagement@msacw.ca.

Dr. Mumtaz Virji

Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Pediatrician.  
Division Head Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Medical Director, BCCH Outpatient Clinics
Department of Pediatrics 

How long have you been at C&W?
24 years!

Tell us about a satisfying moment at work you’ve had recently.
As a pediatrician, one of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing my patients improve and thrive. I care for a 12-year-old girl with autism whom I follow regularly in clinic. She is non-verbal, but her warmth and affection speak volumes. Every time she comes to see me, she greets me with a big hug—a simple gesture that reminds me of the special connections we build with our patients and the profound impact of compassionate care.

What’s a work frustration you wish you could solve with a snap of a finger?
Lack of allied health resources in outpatient setting. I wish we could have more resources!

What’s a secret skill you have that most people don’t know?
It wouldn’t be a secret, if I let it out!

Any hobbies you’d care to share?
I recently started playing Pickleball, so if you are looking for someone to play…I am there. Caveat I am a beginner!

Favourite trip in the last couple of years? 
A couple of years ago I did a multi-country trip with my sister. We visited Portugal, Egypt and Kenya. One of the best trips, especially Egypt. A lot of historical places!

Meet the MSA Operational Team!

The People Behind the Scenes

Have you ever wondered who helps bring our MSA events to life, coordinates member initiatives, or helps guide projects from submission to completion?

Behind every Engagement Lunch, MSA event, project submission, and member update is a dedicated team working behind the scenes to support our medical staff community. We are excited to introduce two members of our MSACW operational team who help keep everything running smoothly: Niki Moshiri, MSA Project Coordinator, and Evita Mora Perea, MSA Project Analyst.

Federal Government Changes to the Interim Federal Health Program

Recent changes introduced by the federal government on May 1st require IFHP beneficiaries to pay a 30% co-payment for supplemental benefits, along with a fee for each prescription. These added costs may create significant challenges for families who often have limited financial resources and are already navigating complex healthcare needs.

For children with complex medical needs, access to medications, supplies, and equipment is often essential for safe care at home. These changes may create additional barriers, potentially leading to delayed discharges, increased challenges for families managing care outside the hospital, and added pressure on healthcare services.

Clinicians are encouraged to continue supporting patients by considering mitigation strategies where possible, including reviewing prescribing practices and identifying ways to reduce immediate financial barriers. Documenting the impacts observed in clinical practice and sharing anonymized experiences can also help support broader advocacy efforts.

Medical staff are encouraged to learn more about the changes, share their experiences, and participate in ongoing advocacy efforts through resources such as the Canadian Paediatric Society’s story bank.

If you would like to learn more about the IFHP changes, mitigation strategies, and advocacy resources, please review Dr. Suleman’s attached slide deck.

Resources:

• IFHP Storybank
• Mitigation Strategies
• Send a Letter to Policymakers: Speak Out: Protecting IFHP Benefits | Canadian Paediatric Society
• Contact: Dr. Shazeen Suleman

2025 Doctors of BC Health Authority Engagement Results:

A Quick Overview

At our last MSA General Meeting in June, Ms. Christine Strang, Manager of Regional Advocacy at Doctors of BC, shared the latest Health Authority Engagement Survey results for PHSA, which included the BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital site-specific results.

The survey results provide an important opportunity to better understand the experiences of our medical staff community, celebrate areas of progress, and identify where continued focus and improvement are needed. At BC Children’s Hospital, results showed positive movement in work-life balance, with more respondents reporting they are able to better balance their professional and personal lives. There was also a small improvement in reports related to physical and psychological safety concerns. The results also highlighted the importance of continuing to strengthen efforts that support a safe and healthy workplace. At BC Women’s Hospital, the results reflected several areas of improvement, including increased perceptions that the hospital is taking action to prevent workplace violence and stronger feelings of respect among staff. Across both sites, feedback highlighted some shared challenges, including administrative workload, EMR and documentation concerns, workflow inefficiencies, staffing pressures, and opportunities for greater transparency and involvement in leadership decision-making.

Regional engagement teams are now working with health authorities to develop action plans focused on meaningful improvements ahead of the next survey cycle in 2027.

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their feedback. Engagement surveys help ensure that medical staff voices are heard and that we continue working toward a stronger, more connected healthcare community.

If you’d like to review the full survey results, please review the DoBC Engagement Survey Presentation.

MSA Membership Means Paying Your Dues

Dues for 2026 are now due!

We Want to Hear From You: What Would You Like to See in Future Newsletter Editions?

As we continue building future MSACW newsletters, we would love to hear from you about the kinds of content you would like to see more of going forward.

Whether it is wellness initiatives, engagement events, educational opportunities, medical staff achievements, community updates, or helpful resources, your feedback really helps us make the newsletter more useful, relevant, and engaging for our medical staff community.

We are also always happy to hear new ideas. If there is a topic, initiative, department, or story you think would be valuable to feature, please feel free to reach out to engagement@msacw.ca directly or fill out our MSACW Newsletter Request Form. 

Thank you for continuing to engage with the newsletter and helping us make it a useful and connected space for our medical staff community!

Outside the Clinic: Finding Time to Recharge

The work we do is rewarding, meaningful, and often demanding. Between busy clinics, patient care, meetings, and everything else that fills our days, it can be easy to put our own wellbeing on hold. Taking time to recharge does not always require a major change or a lot of extra time. Sometimes, the small moments we create for ourselves throughout the day or week can make the biggest difference.

Here are a few simple ways to step away from the pace of work and make time for yourself:

Move Your Body – Whether it’s a walk outside, a yoga class, a workout, or simply taking a few minutes to stretch, movement can help clear your mind and restore your energy.

Spend Time Outdoors – A change of scenery can do wonders. Enjoy a walk through a local park, explore a nearby trail, spend time in the garden, or take a few quiet moments outside to reset.

Make Space for Hobbies – Hobbies give us a chance to reconnect with the things we enjoy. Whether it’s cooking, reading, photography, music, art, gardening, or trying something completely new, making time for personal interests can be a great way to recharge.

Connect With What Matters – Spending quality time with family, friends, and loved ones can help us step away from our daily responsibilities and reconnect with the people and experiences that bring us joy.

Try Something New – Learning something new can be energizing and fun. Consider taking a class, exploring a new restaurant, picking up a new hobby, or discovering something in your community you haven’t tried before.

Creating Moments of Calm – Wellness can also be found in the quiet moments. Enjoy a cup of coffee, listen to a favourite podcast, practice mindfulness, or simply take a few minutes to pause and reset.

Everyone has their own way of recharging. The important thing is finding what works for you and making space for it. After all, taking care of ourselves helps us continue to care for others.

What Helps You Recharge Outside the Clinic?

Share the activities, hobbies, routines, or simple moments that help you unwind and make time for yourself. Your response may be featured in an upcoming MSA newsletter to help inspire and connect with fellow medical staff members. Send your response to engagement@msacw.ca. We can’t wait to hear from you! 

Learning Opportunity: Climate Change and Health in B.C. Foundational Course

The Planetary Health Committee would like to share an exciting provincial training initiative focused on building awareness, knowledge and engagement in healthcare!

Please review details below.  

Climate Change and Health in B.C. Foundational Course: A capacity-building course developed by the Climate Change and Emergency Management Unit (CCEMU) of the Ministry of Health with subject matter expertise provided by a number of CAPE-BC members.

This online, self-paced course provides an accessible introduction to planetary health, exploring the important connections between the healthcare system and the health of our planet. It highlights opportunities for the health sector to reduce its environmental footprint, strengthen climate resilience, and support more sustainable approaches to healthcare delivery.

The course also explores the intersection of planetary health with Indigenous cultural safety, anti-racism, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), offering participants a broader understanding of how environmental, social, and health systems are interconnected.

Designed to be completed in approximately two hours, the course includes interactive elements that reinforce key concepts and support learning. Optional advanced modules will be available later this year, providing opportunities to further explore specific climate and health challenges, as well as practical solutions for continued learning and engagement.

This course is intended for both clinical and non-clinical healthcare staff, and is free of charge to healthcare workers across British Columbia. 

The MSACW Monitor is published six times a year by the MSACW Executive. Please direct all feedback, questions, and contributions to engagement@msacw.ca. Illustrations designed by vectorjuice / Freepik.