Wildfire season: thinking of our colleagues

Thousands of British Columbians have been forced from their homes because of wildfires raging in our province’s Interior. As a physician living and practicing in Golden, this really hits home for me. While I have not personally been impacted, more than 60 of our physician colleagues and their families have had to leave their homes in 100 Mile House, Williams Lake and surrounding areas. My heart goes out to each and every one of them, who are showing such strength and resilience. Not only are they looking out for their families, they and other physicians in surrounding communities are going above and beyond in continuing to treat their patients, and other patients who have similarly been forced to move away.

At the evacuation center in Kamloops, one physician and two Nurse Practitioners treat evacuees at a makeshift clinic. It’s anticipated that team will be enhanced, as the need for medical support continues to grow every day. In other parts of the Interior and the North, physicians are coming together with the help of their Divisions and Health Authorities to make clinic space available to displaced physicians, and to work extra hours to help meet the additional medical needs of patients who are far away from home. Other informal networks of physicians are helping their colleagues who need temporary accommodations.

As a profession, we are at our most powerful when we come together and unite behind a cause. It is inspiring to see how our colleagues are doing that to support each other and our communities in difficult times like these. Thank you to everyone involved for your hard work and dedication. Stay safe!

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