January 2026, Vol. 4 Ed. 1
President’s Message | New Members-At-Large | Important Dates & Initiatives | Joint Collaborative Committees | Updated PHSA Medical Staff Rules | Frontline Faculty Focus | Current Projects Spending Reminder | FEMS Processing Timelines | | 2026 Membership Dues and Door Access: Renewals and Registration | Celebration & Engagement Survey | Giving Back: Greater Vancouver Food Bank | Facility Engagement Workshops & Learning Opportunities | Seed2STEM Applications Open
President’s Message
DR. KATEY ARMSTRONG
Over the past few months, your MSA Executive has been busy behind the scenes, welcoming new Members-at-Large and continuing to strengthen how we support and represent our medical staff community. We’re especially pleased to welcome our new members into the fold, Heba and Tessa. Your voices and perspectives are an important part of shaping the work we do, and we’re grateful to have you involved.
As we start the year, we’re taking time to review our strategic goals to ensure we’re focused on what matters most to our members. This includes supporting meaningful, member-driven projects, refining our processes so they’re clear and fair, and making sure our structures allow us to work transparently.
Team spirit and connection remain central to everything we do. Whether through funded projects, engagement events, or day-to-day advocacy, we’re committed to fostering a sense of collaboration across the Children’s and Women’s sites. The strength of this community lies in how we support one another.
As always, your MSA Executive is here to listen, to advocate, and to keep improving the quality of working life for our medical staff across the campus. We welcome your ideas, feedback, and involvement as we move forward into the year ahead.
Thank you for all that you do and for being part of this community.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Introducing Our New Members-At-Large:
The MSA/MASES 2026 Executive Board
Elections for these positions were held on December 15th, during our annual MSA/MASES General Meeting. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in the election process. Your engagement is essential to ensuring that the Executive Board reflects the diverse experiences and needs of our members. We would also like to thank Erica Crilly and Amy Fotheringham for putting their names forward for nomination. Thank you for participating!
We are thrilled to welcome the new Members-at-Large joining the MSA/MASES Executive Board for the 2026 term:
- Midwife Member-at-Large: Heba Al-Nashef
- Nurse Practitioner Member-at-Large: Tessa Diaczun
MSACW IMPORTANT DATES & INITIATIVES
MSA January Engagement Lunch
Tuesday, January 27th, 2026
FEMS Claims Submissions
Project spending reminder deadline to upload claims March 13th, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENT
Learn More About the Joint Collaborative Committees (JCC)
As highlighted at our MSA/MASES Annual General Meeting, the MSACW would like to share more information about the Joint Collaborative Committees (JCC). These committees bring together physicians, government representatives, and health authority partners to collaborate on projects and initiatives that strengthen healthcare across British Columbia. The JCCs include:
- Family Practice Services Committee (FPSC)
- Specialist Services Committee (SSC)
- Shared Care Committee (SCC)
- Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC)
Each committee includes representation from Doctors of BC, physicians at large, the Ministry of Health, and each health authority. PHSA is represented by:
- Dr. Angel Arnaout – Specialist Services Committee
- Ms. Candice Manahan – Facility Engagement and Quality Improvement
- Dr. Michale McKenzie – Shared Care Committee
- Dr. Kathryn Armstrong – Doctors of BC representative for PHSA
These committees provide valuable resources, opportunities and avenues for medical staff to engage in provincial initiatives, professional development and leadership activities. Opportunities include quality improvement funding, leadership training, and participation in innovation projects that support both local and province-wide priorities.
Medical staff interested in learning more or exploring ways to participate are encouraged to visit the Doctors of BC website: Joint Collaborative Committees, and for involvement opportunities: Collaborate on HealthBC.
STAY INFORMED
Updated PHSA Medical Staff Rules
As presented by Candice Manahan at our MSA/MASES Annual General Meeting, the PHSA Medical Staff Rules have been updated following a thorough review, which included feedback from the Oversight Committee, Local Medical Advisory Committees, and the Medical Staff Association representatives. The revised PHSA Medical Staff Rules were approved by the Health Authority Medical Advisory Committee in March and the Board of Directors on November 19, 2025. The recent updates ensure that the rules remain aligned with current policies, governance practices, and PHSA’s commitment to delivering safe, high-quality, and culturally respectful care.
All medical staff are encouraged to review the updated rules to stay informed about current policies and guidelines. For more information and to review the updated Medical Staff Rules and Bylaws, please visit the PHSA Bylaws, Rules and Policies website.
To view the updates directly, please visit PHSA Medical Staff Rules Updates at a Glance.
COMMUNITY
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.
Jeff Terry MD PhD FRCPC
Pediatric and Perinatal Pathologist
Division Head, Anatomical Pathology
BC Children’s Hospital
BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre
How long have you been at C&W?
Since August 2014.
Tell us about a satisfying moment at work you’ve had recently.
Difficult diagnoses based on morphology that are verified by subsequent special testing are the most satisfying. These experiences reinforce the basis of my practice and remind me not to get too carried away by whatever new diagnostic modality is being promoted as the next best thing.
What’s a work frustration you wish you could solve with a snap of a finger?
Administrative bloat. This was occurring pre-COVID, but the pandemic and rise of virtual meetings seem to have supercharged the need for those who measure their output in meetings to have ever more of them without any appreciable increase in relevance or efficiency.
What’s a secret skill you have that most people don’t know?
Hmmm. I don’t know what others don’t know about me, so I guess I don’t really know what a ‘secret’ skill would be. I have gotten pretty good at working through virtual meetings recently, but I should probably keep that secret…
Any hobbies you’d care to share?
My hobbies consist of driving my kids all over the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast to hockey and soccer games, then complaining about it to all the other parents.
Favourite trip in the past couple of years?
Sproat Lake last summer with my family. Epic sun and heat by a cool, crystal clear lake – what could be better.
Thanks to Jeff for taking part in our Frontline Faculty Focus!
PROJECTS CORNER
Deadline for Current Projects – Spending Reminder:
Please Submit Your Claims
Please note that the deadline for all FEMS claims is upcoming and should be submitted on the FEMS platform. As we approach the end of the fiscal year, we would like to remind project leads (or others with claims requiring reimbursement through FEMS) that all claims for projects that are part of this fiscal year (ending March 2026) must be submitted through the FEMS platform by March 13th, 2026. This will help ensure that your project expenses are processed before the fiscal year ends.
Important Reminder: To stay in compliance with the Doctors of BC funding guidelines, it’s essential that all claims are submitted within 90 days of the activity taking place.
ANNOUNCEMENT
FEMS Processing Timelines
We would like to provide a brief note to our members regarding reimbursement timelines for claim submissions processed through the FEMS platform.
FEMS is the Doctors of BC platform used for managing claims, payments, and reimbursements, while VoPay is the Vancouver-based payment processor integrated directly with FEMS. Please note that reimbursements have a general processing time of 2-4 weeks as they undergo several levels of review. Timelines may vary depending on several factors, including the accuracy and completeness of the submitted claim, the claim category selected, and required approvals at the administrative and executive levels. Additionally, members with FEMS accounts should ensure that their payment transfer information is correct and up to date, and their VoPay profile is fully set up and properly linked to their FEMS account.
If you have any questions regarding reimbursements or claim submissions, or require additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact us at engagement@msacw.ca. We’re happy to help!
REMINDER
2026 Membership Dues and MSA Lounge Door Access:
Renewals & Registration
The MSACW would like to remind members that 2026 membership dues are now due. Automated reminder emails have been sent through Membee, starting December 1, 2025, via email for members with existing accounts.
Please note that membership dues are charged annually on a calendar-year basis (January 1, YYYY to December 31, YYYY). All Active, Provisional and Associate Medical Staff, including midwives, nurse practitioners, dentists, physicians, and clinical scientists, are required to pay membership dues. Payment of dues ensures continued access to the MSACW benefits, such as access to the MSA lounge, on-site coffee machine and snacks, participation in our monthly engagement lunches and MSA initiatives, and other opportunities!
Starting in 2026, access to the MSACW lounge door will be directly linked to individual Membee accounts. Paid members who have completed their door intake form will be granted lounge access via the new proximity sensor system once it is fully implemented. For those without badges, a new pin code will be issued for the keypad lock located on the door handle to the MSA lounge, which you will have access to through your Membee account. All communications regarding the timeline and implementation of this new security system will be shared via email to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
To complete your membership and door access intake form, please follow the steps listed below:
Step 1: If you do not have an account with us, please create your account under the applicable portal on our website: Register For an Account. Please select New Member when registering. If you have an existing account, please log in to your member profile: Member Profile | Login Page.
Step 2: Click “View Profile/Edit Profile” located at the bottom right of the profile page, shown upon login.
Step 3: Complete or verify the new member information section, including:
- Employee number (please list N/A if not applicable)
- Badge Number
- Department/Group
Step 4: Scroll down and click Save.
For more information about membership dues and benefits, please visit the MSACW Membership page. Existing members can log in to their accounts via the MSACW Member Profile Login page. If you have any questions about your account, membership dues, or door access, please reach out to us at engagement@msacw.ca.
REMINDER
MSA Membership Means Paying Your Dues
Dues for 2026 are now due!
MSA EVENTS & INITIATIVES
MSACW Holiday Celebration & Engagement Survey:
Recap, Highlights, and Your Feedback
On December 9th, MSACW members and their families gathered at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club for an evening full of laughter, fun, and festive cheer. From the moment our guests arrived, the room was filled with conversation, smiles, and the kind of holiday excitement that makes you forget the workweek ever existed (or at least we hope it does for a brief moment).
There was truly something for everyone! Guests had their portraits captured by our talented caricature artist, Cory, posed for keepsake photos in our Vanity Fair-esque photo booth, and were amazed by Rod Boss, the magician whose tricks left both kids and adults wide-eyed and in awe. Younger children enjoyed the childcare area, filled with arts and crafts, colouring, and creative play, taking home their colourful creations to brighten any living room (or fridge) for weeks to come! The food kept everyone energized and in high spirits, and to end the night on a sweet note, Rain or Shine Ice Cream handed out treats that sent everyone into a sugar rush!
Beyond the activities and entertainment, the event was a true celebration of community. Members had an opportunity to connect with colleagues they might not normally see outside of their departments, families mingled, and laughter filled the room. Our holiday event allowed members to foster connections and encouraged engagement across the BCCWH site. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all again next year!
If you attended our event, thank you for being a part of this special celebration. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback to help us plan future events that are just as memorable.
Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey: MSACW 2025 Holiday Event – Engagement Survey. All RSVPs should have received the survey link in their inboxes back in December.
COMMUNITY
Giving Back This New Year: Supporting The Greater Vancouver Food Bank at our January 2026 Engagement Lunch
As we begin the New Year, and following a suggestion from an MSA member, the MSACW is pleased to offer members an opportunity to give back by supporting The Greater Vancouver Food Bank through online donation, available at our January 2026 Engagement lunch set for Tuesday, January 27th, starting at 11:30 AM in the MSACW lounge.
Members are invited to make a donation directly through the official website to support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across Greater Vancouver. Participation is entirely optional, and contributions of any amount are sincerely appreciated.
To learn more about The Greater Vancouver Food Bank, or to make a donation online, please visit their website at Ways To Give | The Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
Thank you for helping the MSACW support our broader community through simple and meaningful acts of generosity!
GUEST INITIATIVE
Facility Engagement 2026 Workshops & Learning Opportunities
The MSACW is excited to share news about upcoming Facility Engagement (FE) 2026 workshops and learning opportunities. These initiatives are designed to support medical staff associations, encourage collaboration, and provide practical tools for demonstrating impact on projects across BC.
Highlights for 2026 initiatives include the Quick Wins Workshops – Demonstrating Impact (Parts 1 & 2), a two-part workshop exploring strategies for evaluating project ideas, data collection and communicating results. Another key event highlighted is the virtual Symposium on Supporting Specialist Rural Outreach Program, as well as other opportunities for medical staff.
To learn more about these workshops, view registration details, and explore additional FE initiatives, please visit the Facility Engagement website: FE 2026 Workshops & Learning Opportunities.
GUEST INITIATIVE
Seed2STEM | iCORD – Summer Research Program for Indigenous Youth
Applications are now open for the Seed2STEM Summer 2026 cohort program, a summer research initiative for Indigenous high school students in Metro Vancouver and Kelowna exploring STEM pathways.
To access the application and learn more about this initiative, including eligibility, program details, and upcoming information sessions, please visit seed2STEM | iCORD. The next cohort runs from July 6, 2026, to August 14, 2026. Applications for Summer 2026 close on February 20th, 2026.
To view the application form directly: Application Form
We encourage all members to share this opportunity with their networks and communities.
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.