A moment of reflection

It has been an honour to serve as president of Doctors of BC over the past year. Throughout this time doctors across the province have weathered multiple waves of COVID-19, contributed to the most important vaccination program in BC’s history, coped with catastrophic wildfires and floods, and faced appalling conduct by anti-vaccination protestors. And yet, the optimism I felt at the beginning of my term has not wavered because I have seen that no matter what, we will prevail.

During this past year I have walked among heroes in the true sense of the word. Whether you fought your battles in public, in private, on the provincial stage, or one-on-one, I saw heroism all around. To simply put one foot in front of the other as a health care worker during these times takes courage and strength. I have lost count of the moments of sacrifice, triumphant successes, and heartbreaking tragedies. But I remember the bravery, the demonstrations of professionalism, compassion, and most importantly, the humanity. 

Martin Luther King Jr said “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” And each one of, regardless of our profession, can be part of that arc as long as we continue to speak out when we see inequities, stand up for the vulnerable, and use our voice for good. And let’s take heart in knowing that even in the darkest of times, the arc of the moral universe is slowly but inexorably moving in the right direction. It moves when we are tired, when we feel defeated, and even when the loud voices of division and hate seemingly, but just temporarily, prevail.

It has certainly been a difficult year with many challenges, but we also have much to be grateful for. We are fortunate to live in a free and democratic society, a society that largely respects science, and values the doctors, nurses, and all those who choose to make a difference in health care. We have maintained a standard of living envied by many, one that remains strong and resilient even in the face of challenges greater and more intense than we’re used to.
And we have each other. We have been bent, but remain unbowed. We have been tested, but have preserved our integrity. We are tired, but our spirit stays strong.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the profession of medicine, and hopefully have made a small difference for society. And I am certain that Dr Ramneek Dosanjh, your incoming President will confidently and ardently lead our profession into a post-pandemic world. Thank you to all, I wish you health, wisdom, and courage. 

- Dr Matthew Chow