Awards for Residents, Students and Community

The Changemaker Award for medical residents and students is presented annually to recognize one medical resident and one medical student who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in advancing the policies, views, and goals of Doctors of BC or a resident or student organization, through grassroots advocacy efforts.

Nominees actively and effectively champion for a stronger health care system through medical or political advocacy by working with elected officials to improve the political environment or to support quality patient care, or by working with health care stakeholders to improve health care delivery or improve the medical training process. Winners receive an award and a $2,000 cheque.

Nomination criteria

Each medical resident or student nominee must:

1. Be a current medical student if applying for the student award or be a current resident if applying for the resident award
2. Be enrolled in full-time studies during the year they are nominated
3. Be registered as a Doctors of BC member in good standing
4. Demonstrate outstanding personal advocacy for political involvement or medical issues in British Columbia.

All nominations must include:

• One detailed nomination letter with descriptions of political involvement and/or medical advocacy activities
• Two letters of support, no longer than two pages, that explain why the nominee is deserving of this award and provide clear examples that highlight the difference and/or impact they have made
• The nominee's current curriculum vitae

Consideration may be given to a group of residents or students acting with a single purpose. A nomination may be re-submitted in a subsequent year but must be updated to reflect the current nomination year. Neither handwritten letters nor self-nominations will be accepted.

Submit a nomination

Nominations for 2025 are now closed.

Previous recipients of the Changemaker Award

 2024–2015

2024

• Dr Miini Teng, Resident
• Mr Sebastian Lopez Steven, Student

2023

• Dr Devon Mitchell, Resident
• Mr Bader Al-Zeer, Student

2022

• Dr Kimberley Chang, Resident
• Mr Ishmam Bhuiyan, Student

2021

• Dr Kirsten Roche, Resident
• Ms Vivian Tsang, Student

2020

• Dr David Kim, Resident
• Ms Xuan Zhao, Student

2019

• Dr Brandon Tang, Resident
• Mr Alec Yu, Student

2018

• Dr Alicia Pawluk, Resident
• Ms Lerly Luo, Student

2017

• Dr Jesse Kancir, Resident
• Ms Daphne Lu, Student

2016

• Dr Brandon Sheffield, Resident
• Mr Arun Agha, Student

2015

• No recipient, Resident
• Ms Elisa Kharazi, Student

Doctors of BC believes that post-secondary education is vital for young people wanting to develop advanced skills or knowledge necessary for a successful future. For more than 20 years, Doctors of BC has presented two $1,000 scholarship awards to deserving children of members in good standing who are enrolled in post-secondary education.

Application Criteria

Applicants must be the child of a Doctors of BC member in good standing, who is completing (or has completed) high school, and will be (or is currently) attending a recognized post-secondary institution (university, college, or technical school).

All applications must include:

• An application letter, no more than one page, explaining why you feel you are a deserving candidate for this scholarship
• Two letters of reference, no longer than one page each.
• A copy of your most recent transcripts
• A copy of an acceptance letter from a recognized institute of higher learning
• A description of additional achievements, accomplishments, or extra-curricular activities such as volunteer or paid work, for consideration (max one page)

Submit an application

Applications for 2025 are now closed.

The names of Scholarship Award winners will be published in the BC Medical Journal.

The Doctors of BC Excellence in Health Promotion Awards are presented annually to recognize and celebrate those who work tirelessly and passionately on meaningful initiatives.

Nominees can be individuals, non-profit organizations, or corporations in our communities that work to make our province a healthier, safer place to live. They devote time and energy to ensuring vulnerable populations have access to the health care they need, the isolated are engaged in community events, and the young actively participate in health promotion initiatives, among many others.

Nomination criteria

Nominees can be an individual or group, non-profit, or corporation that has demonstrated a concern for health and safety through specific actions and/or initiatives that:

1. Exemplify creativity and initiative to improve and protect the health and safety of British Columbians
2. Have results bringing about measurable change with the potential for positive, long-term improvement

All nominations must include:

• A nomination letter that includes the signature of either the person being nominated or a representative of the company or organization being nominated
• A concise two-page summary of the health promotion initiative including:
  • What the initiative is
  • Why the initiative was successful
  • Target audience
  • Goals and objectives
  • Expected outcomes
  • How success was measured
• Any relevant examples of materials related to the nominated initiative (maximum five pages)

Submit a nomination

Nominations for 2025 are now closed.

Recipients will be recognized in the BC Medical Journal.