Advocating for you in your communities
Doctors of BC has a team of Regional Advisors and Advocates (RAAs) who support physicians in the communities where they live and work. They are the first point of contact to assist you in seeking services and support from Doctors of BC. Specifically, your RAA will:
Advise and advocate for you by:
- Assisting with issues locally, with the health authority, and provincially.
- Supporting you with complaints or discipline issues to ensure you are treated fairly and proper processes are followed.
- Providing individual and group contract support.
- Representing you as the regional staff contact for the Memorandum of Agreement on Physical and Psychological Safety in the Physician Master Agreement (PMA).
Inform you about Doctors of BC initiatives and other local, regional, or provincial issues by:
- Providing information and answering questions about the PMA.
- Promoting the Health Authority Engagement Survey and sharing the results.
- Updating you on opportunities for involvement in Doctors of BC initiatives, projects, and committees.
Connect you to Doctors of BC services, resources, and benefits by:
- Providing expertise with MSP, WorkSafeBC, and ICBC billing and payment challenges.
- Linking you to resources and supports such as the Physician Health Program, Audit and Billing support, and Negotiations.
Get to know your Regional Advisor and Advocate (RAA)
Ana Arciniega (Fraser)
I am passionate about creating culturally safe and welcoming spaces where physicians feel supported, heard, and empowered to thrive in their work. As the Regional Advisor and Advocate for Fraser, I bring a collaborative approach to addressing complex issues, fostering relationships, and driving meaningful change. With a background in engagement, facilitation, and change management, I enjoy connecting physicians to resources, navigating challenges, and building bridges between partners to enhance healthcare environments. My goal is to advocate for physicians so they can focus on what matters most—providing exceptional care to their patients and communities.
Brent Weiss (Interior)
Working with doctors to help them achieve their goals and improve patient care makes me feel as though I’m indirectly contributing to the delivery of care. I love that part of my job and I love the regional aspect—the different communities, the unique needs and the mix of rural and urban sites. In my role, I’ve helped improve doctors’ work environments and inter-physician relationships which in turn lets them focus on what matters most—patient care. And if I can make any small change, for one doctor or a group of doctors, to me that is success.
Christine Strang (Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver and Coast)
Supporting physicians through complex issues while ensuring they are provided with a safe space to discuss their situation is important to me. I am passionate about promoting change through advocacy/engagement and helping physicians reach their goals. My favourite part of my job is getting to work with physicians to advocate for change that directly affects their workplace and in turn, frees up their capacity to focus on patient care. I appreciate and understand the unique needs of the programs within PHSA and enjoy finding solutions to a wide variety of issues.
Jeevan Sangha (Vancouver and Coast)
I am passionate about advocating for physicians’ wellness, more supportive working environments, and amplifying physician voices in broader healthcare conversations. What I like about my role is the ability to be a trusted first point of contact to support and guide physicians through challenges, both locally and provincially. It is important to me that physicians are treated fairly and supported every step of the way, while being connected and empowered in their practices. Through my work, I can listen, understand, and take action to ensure physician concerns are heard and addressed. Every conversation is a chance to make a real difference.
Leanne Bulmer (Island)
As the Regional Advisor and Advocate for Vancouver Island, it is my privilege to work closely with physicians across our region to support and champion their needs and concerns. With a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare professionals, my role is to provide guidance, resources, and support for the advancement of healthcare in our community. By fostering collaboration, promoting best practices, and advocating for actions that benefit both physicians and patients, I am dedicated to ensuring that our healthcare system continues to evolve and thrive.
Michelle Pele (North)
I appreciate the importance of community and regional issues that doctors in the Northern rural settings are faced with. I understand the value of building effective collaborative relationships as well as navigating complex pathways and improving physician work environments. I take pride in supporting the physicians who work in the north and assisting to effectively resolve difficult complex situations and improve patient care. I have extensive experience in conflict resolution and managing issues in a proactive manner to mitigate risk before it occurs.