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Richmond Division of Family Practice Logo

CONNECT TO OUR TEAM

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Preferred mode of communication
Please select from the drop-down menu, which allows us to deliver your message to the right member of our team.
Please provide as much detail as possible so that our team can best support your needs.

Privacy Statement: We are committed to keeping your e-mail address and personal information confidential. We do not sell, rent, or lease our contact data or lists to third parties, and we will not provide your personal information to any third party unless required to do so by law.

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The Locum Lens: One New Grad’s Strategic Journey to Permanent Practice

January 21, 2026
Image of Doctor Olivia Yau and her dog

Following her UBC graduation, Dr. Yau shares how locum-to-permanent work helped her find the right clinical fit in Richmond—with guidance from the Richmond Division of Family Practice.

Dr Yau’s Post-Graduate Journey into Family Practice in Richmond

Through the lens of Dr. Olivia Yau’s post-grad journey, discover how prospective practitioners are increasingly utilizing locum-to-permanent roles to find the right long-term fit; a process that offers incoming family physicians’ low-pressure exposure to potential clinical homes while delivering essential burnout relief to Richmond’s local family practices.

“I graduated in July 2025 from the UBC Vancouver Fraser Family Medicine Program and, like many new graduates, felt both excited and a little overwhelmed by the question of where to start. I was eager to explore different practice settings and learn from a variety of clinic environments before committing to a permanent role, but navigating those options on my own initially felt daunting.

I reached out to the Richmond Division of Family Practice for guidance, and their support made a meaningful difference. They connected me with local clinics, shared clear resources about opportunities in the community, and facilitated introductory meetings that allowed me to learn about different practice styles, patient populations, and clinic cultures in a low-pressure, supportive way.

Working as a locum across multiple Richmond clinics has been an incredibly positive experience. I’ve felt genuinely welcomed by clinic teams and patients alike, and it’s been rewarding to begin building relationships within the Richmond medical community. I’m grateful for how approachable and responsive the Division has been throughout this transition, helping turn an overwhelming moment into a confident and exciting start to practice.”

– Dr. Olivia Yau, Locum to Permanent Family Physician in Richmond

Start Your Locum Journey in Richmond

Considering locum work in Richmond? As shown by Dr. Yau’s experience, the Richmond Division of Family Practice is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring practice options, looking to build connections with local clinics, or thinking about a longer-term fit, RDFP can help make the process clear, supported, and low pressure. Reach out to our team and start your locum journey in Richmond with confidence.