Doctors of BC: Our stories

Doctors Of BC: Our Stories

Doctors of BC: Our stories

We know the world expects a lot of physicians, an expectation of perfectionism that is impossible to maintain at all times. That’s why we need to remind British Columbians that doctors are humans too; they struggle, stress, and tire just like the rest of us. Given the hardships of the past two years, now more than ever it’s important to get this message across. That’s why we have asked our doctors to recount their personal stories through the “Doctors of BC: Our stories” campaign.

Dr Riaan Van der Wart

Dr Riaan Van der Wart, family physician, Prince Rupert

June 29, 2022

I was born under the big sun in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa where I also completed my medical training in 1997. It was soon after graduation that I was able to start the journey I had always dreamt about; to explore the world. With my degree in hand, I was able to see...
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Dr Jen Vassel and family

Dr Jennifer Vassel, family medicine, Langley

June 17, 2022

It never fails to surprise me, the hidden talents and life stories that our patients bring with them. 

I had been seeing a patient for years when one day, after seeing a painting I had done to decorate my office, commented "Oh, I paint...
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Dr Josh Greggain and family

Dr Josh Greggain, rural family doctor, Hope

May 12, 2022

Family Physician. Family. Physician. Spoken as a compound term, it means that I have the privilege to look after generations of patients, from conception to death, health to illness, cure to comfort, and everything in between. Spoken as a singular term, “physician” means I am among a group of...
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Dr Cadesky together with his children

Dr Eric Cadesky, family doctor, Vancouver

April 29, 2022

“How are you?”

To be honest, I’ve never had much time to consider this question. As a community-based primary care doctor, my days overflow with patient visits, calls, emails, texts, and faxes. Most of it is direct care, some of it is inefficient administrative work, and all of it has to...
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Dr Sharon Dodd

Dr Sharon Dodd, family physician, Richmond

April 19, 2022

I was half way through my first year of family practice residency at the University of Alberta when I received the phone call that my Nani (maternal grandmother) had suffered a major stroke. She was unconscious for the first week, then gradually improved to her conscious aphasic and hemi-...
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