Dr. Charlene Lui
Leading with Integrity, Inspiring Trust, and Restoring Joy in Medicine
The President of Doctors of BC must be the President for ALL doctors of BC, Specialists and Family doctors alike
I am dedicated to ensuring that Doctors of BC focuses on the needs of ALL physicians, specialists and family physicians alike. I understand the challenges we all face and will advocate for infrastructure that enhances our ability to provide the care our patients need and deserve.
I recognize that many of our specialists are feeling under-valued in our under-resourced system. Insufficient access to the OR, infrastructure, and compensation models, unmanageable wait lists, and undue pressure when patients have no family doctor, are just some of the challenges we will tackle together.
I have a proven track record of not just knowing what the problems are but of actively and urgently doing something about them. TOGETHER IS OUR SUPERPOWER
I commit to addressing the issues of ALL BC doctors, specialists and family physicians alike.
My Vision
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We have seen vast improvement in Family Physician payment models. Now Doctors of BC needs to also focus in on the needs of our diverse specialist colleagues. Empowering and strengthening our physician community is paramount in navigating and optimizing our complex world.
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Strengthening and amplifying the physician voice, ensuring that physicians, as the highest trained experts in health care, are at every decision-making table. Championing innovation and evidence-based data-informed practices that uphold the quintuple aim.
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Compensation models for every specialist and family physician, that compensate fairly for time, complexity, and expertise. Compensation models such as FFS, LFP and APP being spread across our profession, fair and equitable for all, and account for overhead, cost of living and after-hours care.
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Fostering an inclusive and culturally-safe environment with mechanisms to ensure that every voice is heard and respected. Enhancing our collective understanding of Cultural safety, Humility and Reconciliation and building these principles into the fabric of everything we do.
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Physician-led teams of healthcare professions supported with infrastructure that minimizes administrative burden, systemic barriers and burnout. Ensuring that physician autonomy is preserved and valued.
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Building relationships with diverse stakeholders to amplify our collective voice. Collaborating with community not-for-profits, and other stakeholders that help us support and care for the most vulnerable and under-served. Collaborative partnerships will strengthen our voice at policy and decision-making tables and optimize health outcomes.
My Strengths
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I have more than 10 years of Board, and more than 20 years of Physician Leadership experience locally, regionally and provincially. I was Board Chair for BC Family Doctors, a position and organization that works unceasingly and successfully to strengthen Primary Care to support all physicians. I am President-Elect for the UBC Medical Alumni Association where I have been a board director for the past 3 years, supporting, strengthening and enabling our next generation of doctors. I continue to chair the Fraser Region Divisions of Family Practice Collaborative, enabling system improvements that create equitable and culturally safe health care for patients and providers. I Co-chair the Interdivisional Strategic Council, a collaborative table with health authority and diverse physicians working together to reform the system of care. I sit on Burnaby’s SharedCare Steering committee and am physician lead for a shared care project aimed at improving access to specialists for vulnerable populations with language and cultural barriers. I have sat on the Medical Staff Association Working group at Burnaby Hospital, where specialists and family physicians come together to improve care and services for our patients.
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I am active faculty on the Physician Quality Improvement leadership team, having successfully completed my own QI projects, and championing QI methodology and success in my physician colleagues. With my Quality Improvement knowledge I am able to initiate, lead and operationalize data-driven Health Care Reform that meets the Quintuple Aim.
I co-chaired the Fraser Region Primary Care Coordination committee at the start of the COVID pandemic and lead the strategic development of COVID drive-through testing and treatment centres, and their evolution to include COVID vaccination.
I was one of a team of Physician Leads for the COVID Vaccination Rollout, where I championed timely access to COVID vaccines for our community physicians and their staff.
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I led the strategic vision, negotiation and development of Burnaby’s Primary Care Network (PCN), an example of my ability to lead collaborative teams, navigate complex and sometimes opposing systems, and achieve positive results. Through PCN we were ready when the COVID pandemic struck, enabling us to not only deliver exceptional physician-led team-based and timely care, but to spread our successful initiatives to other communities across British Columbia. The PCN continues to improve as patient and physician needs evolve. I continue to lead with Burnaby’s Primary Care Network Steering Committee.
I spearheaded Burnaby’s New Immigrant Clinic, from visioning, proposal writing, securing funding, and operationalizing to serve some of our most vulnerable new immigrant families. This clinic was able to support new immigrants and refugees at the height of the Syrian Refugee Crisis.
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I’ve been in physician leadership for more than 20 years, and have served on many boards (including as Board Chair of BC Family Doctors) and committees that work tirelessly to improve our complex health care system.
As the Burnaby Divisions of Family Practice (DoFP) Board Chair for 8 years, and lead for building one of the first Primary Care Networks in the province, I was at the table with Ministry, DOBC, DoFP and health authority when PCN policy and governance was developed. I advocated strongly for physician-led teams and a governance model that preserved physician autonomy.
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I am overwhelmed by the passion and commitment of the physicians in BC and am sure that we, specialists and family doctors together, have the power to make the healthcare system a more compassionate, effective, supportive place.
Through my more than 20 years in Physician Leadership, I, like all of you, have encountered barriers and set-backs that threaten our reform efforts.
My resilience and optimism form the bedrock of my leadership. Resilience ensures that I can weather the most challenging storms, allowing me to stand firm and unyielding in the face of adversity. It means that when obstacles arise, I don't waver, but rather, I use setbacks as opportunities to grow, learn, and adapt.
My extensive experience has honed my problem-solving skills, providing a wealth of knowledge and diverse perspectives that will enrich our collaborative efforts.
Together, resilience and optimism provide a powerful combination, allowing me to lead with unwavering determination, face adversity with grace, and maintain a steadfast belief in our ability to do the work that we need to do, together.
TOGETHER IS OUR SUPERPOWER
Together is our superpower
Transparency
The challenges we face as physicians are numerous, and we need clear, open discussions to address them. Whether it's addressing administrative burdens, resource shortages, or long wait-times, I will keep you informed about the progress we make and the obstacles we encounter. Transparency will guide our path towards better healthcare for all.
Optimism
I believe that maintaining an optimistic outlook is crucial. I understand that the administrative burdens and moral distress that my colleagues endure can be disheartening. Therefore, I am committed to doing my utmost to alleviate these burdens and help bring back the joy in medicine. I am determined to foster an environment where physicians can find fulfillment in their work, experience the joys of our vocation, and look forward to each day with hope and enthusiasm.
Relationships
Strong relationships are at the heart of my approach. I'm dedicated to working with specialists and family doctors, and I have a passion for championing physician-led team-based care. Building and nurturing these relationships are vital for effective care coordination and improving our healthcare system.
My goal is to be your physician leader who will tirelessly work to empower our medical community, enhance patient outcomes, and advocate for the collective well-being of physicians and the patients we serve. Together, we can navigate the challenges of our healthcare system and create a brighter future for healthcare in British Columbia.