The Richmond Division of Family Practice’s MOA Network surpassed 170 members in 2023, solidifying its role to elevate the profession for local Medical Office Assistants.
Program Coordinator Ailin Chen, pivotal to Network strategy, event organization, and clinic outreach, has witnessed the growth first-hand. She and her colleagues have hosted 19 events for MOAs since the Network’s inception in 2020, and membership now includes 171 MOAs in 60 Richmond clinics.
“We recognized that a professional association for local MOAs was a critical missing piece,” says Chen. “It’s wonderful to see how the community has embraced the Network, and that it is providing so much value.”
The MOA Network is critical to enhancing the patient experience by boosting MOA skills, optimizing practices, and enabling quality improvement. These strategies, in turn, increase family physician capacity, which allows them to focus on patient care.
Key strategies include fostering camaraderie, professional development, skill building, idea exchange, and community partnership. The Network addresses common challenges that MOAs face, provides a platform for support, and connects MOAs to resources through Doctors of BC, Vancouver Coastal Health, Richmond Public Health, the Family Practice Services Committee Practice Support Program, Pathways BC, and local services.
Richmond’s MOA Network team collaborates with other Divisions of Family Practice throughout the province to address industry issues, and updates members via the twice-monthly Richmond MOA Minute newsletter.
“I’m proud of the Richmond MOA Network,” says Executive Director Jennifer West. “This group is rapidly gaining a reputation in the province as a model for other communities.”
Events and collaborations with health care organizations such as LifeLabs, Brooke Radiology, and ImmunizeBC highlight the Network’s commitment to connect MOAs with essential services. Chen says the Network will continue to focus on skill building, partnerships, and raising awareness about the value of MOAs.
“We are developing strategies to have a broader impact on the community and to strengthen the industry’s reputation overall,” she says.
Coppersmith Medical Clinic Manager Jessy Flores appreciates how the MOA Network provides opportunities to engage with fellow MOAs, health care professionals, and support groups.
“These connections have exposed me to diverse perspectives and innovative ideas about issues that are prevalent in our field,” says Flores. She adds that the Network facilitates the group to identify solutions for common challenges in Richmond clinics.
Part of the Network’s success is because Chen and her colleagues try to make participation fun.
“There have been so many wonderful moments since I became part of the MOA Network, but the recent Holiday Social stands out as the most memorable,” says Flores. “This event offered an enjoyable atmosphere for MOAs and the RDFP team. We got to engage in social interaction through games and activities, delicious food, and a warm cup of hot chocolate.”
Learn more about the Richmond MOA Network.
