LOG IN to the provincial Divisions of Family Practice website for access to UpToDate, which is provided free-of-charge as a member benefit to Richmond Division members. The provincial website is different from the Richmond Division of Family Practice website.
CAN’T ACCESS UpToDate? To maintain UpToDate access, members will be prompted to log in again to the provincial Divisions of Family Practice website after a 180-day period of inactivity.
RESET YOUR PASSWORD If you need to reset your password for the provincial Divisions of Family Practice website to access your UpToDate account, enter your email address here. Password reset instructions will be sent to your registered email inbox.
ACCESS RxFiles Download this comprehensive guide. Log in or create an account at www.rxfiles.ca. Select Join a Partnership Group and choose RDFP 2025–26 to activate your membership. Activation may take up to 24–36 hours.
CAN’T ACCESS RxFiles? Make sure you log in with your RxFiles username and password (not Apple or Google login). Access is maintained by logging in at least once every 3 months.
MOBILE APP ACCESS Download RxFilesPLUS from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Log in with your RxFiles credentials and tap Check for Updates every 3–6 months.
LOG IN to the provincial Divisions of Family Practice website for access to UpToDate, which is provided free-of-charge as a member benefit to Richmond Division members
Richmond Division of Family Practice (RDFP) events create a sense of belonging for local physicians while offering valuable professional development opportunities. From Clinical Pearl sessions to networking dinners, these gatherings strengthen connections across Richmond’s medical community and help doctors feel at home in their practice.
Building Community Through RDFP Events
After relocating her practice from Vancouver to Richmond in 2023, Dr. Tanya Fairweather quickly discovered that Richmond Division events offered more than just professional development.
“The Richmond Division is working hard to build a really nice medical community here,” she says.
A Family Physician specializing in mental health and addiction, Dr. Fairweather serves as a medical advisor for WorkSafeBC, provides care at Richmond Hospital and the Ann Vogel Clinic, and delivers mental health education province-wide.
Her connection to the Division began as a guest speaker, but the culture drew her in. “It became clear to me, over several years of providing education sessions here, that the Richmond Division is really unique,” she says. “Everyone seems very connected. It feels more like a small town within a big city.”
Professional Growth and Personal Connections for Physicians
She appreciates the thoughtful format of Clinical Pearls (a regular RDFP Event): “We get short snippets of teaching, time to ask questions, a nice dinner with colleagues, and useful resources.”
“I also like that our education sessions are helping us get to know specialists in the extended medical community,” she notes.
That sense of connection has been personal, too. “I realized quite a few of my med school classmates are also here. It’s been so nice to reconnect.”
Now a member of the Pathways Committee, Dr. Fairweather recognizes the level of the Division’s responsiveness. “They’re constantly taking the pulse of the membership. You suggest something, and the next thing you know, it’s in the works.”
Dr. Fairweather encourages other Richmond Physicians to get involved. “It will help you in your work,” she says. “The Division has so many resources, and the team is passionate
and enthusiastic. It’s a tight-knit community with one hospital and connected clinics.”
RDFP members can visit the Events section in their Member Portal to register for upcoming events.
For physicians like Dr. Tanya Fairweather, Richmond Division events provide more than education—they foster collaboration, reconnection, and support within a growing medical community. By blending learning with relationship-building, the Division continues to create a welcoming environment that benefits both physicians and patients.
Discover the value of Richmond Division events, whether you’re a current member, a physician new to Richmond, or a medical professional interested in joining the community. Get involved and experience the benefits of connection, education, and support.
Opening a clinic in Richmond has become easier thanks to a new partnership between the Richmond Division of Family Practice and the City of Richmond. By simplifying zoning, permits, and licensing, the initiative helps physicians navigate municipal requirements so they can focus on building practices and caring for patients.
How the Partnership to Support Opening a Clinic in Richmond Began
A Richmond Division presentation to City Council last year sparked deeper conversations about the challenges Family Physicians face when opening new clinics. For Katie Ferland, Director of Business Services at the City of Richmond, it revealed an important opportunity.
“We act as the window into local government for businesses,” she says. “It turns out there is a major role for us to play here, too.”
That single presentation evolved into a formal working group that united eight Physicians, senior City staff, and representatives from Doctors of BC’s Practice Support Team. Their goal? Reduce confusion around zoning, permits, and business licensing for Physicians.
“We took a closer look and realized that medical offices are allowed in most commercial zones,” says Ferland. “We focused on education and communication, and created a starter pack of helpful resources.”
This clear, accessible guide now helps Physicians to understand zoning bylaws, licensing steps, and permit requirements. It is bridging a communication gap that had slowed clinic development.
The collaboration has also helped the Richmond Division better align municipal services with the needs of Physicians, who are often small business owners themselves. And while the team jokes that earlier communication felt like talking through cups and string, the new partnership has created a much clearer, two-way channel.
Making the Process Easier for Physicians
In the past year, several Physicians have received direct support from the City’s economic development team, making it easier to navigate the process of starting a clinic. “Doctors, like other entrepreneurs, are experts at what they do,” Ferland says. “Our job is to be that bridge to navigate City systems for them, so they can be successful.”
This partnership has been especially valuable for new-to-practice and internationally trained doctors. It deepened the Division’s understanding of how aligning municipal business services with health care needs can support Physician recruitment and access to patient care.
“Thanks to leadership from City Council, the Committee members, and the Richmond Division, we now think of Family Physicians as entrepreneurs who need the same kind of support,” explains Ferland. “We’ve got this direct line of communication now. If the Division needs us, we’re here.”
Through this collaboration, Family Physicians, including those new to practice and internationally trained, are finding better support for opening a clinic in Richmond. By bridging communication gaps and aligning business services with health care needs, the City and Division are helping physicians succeed while improving access to primary care.
It’s been just one year since Dr. Osa Olayemi launched her family practice in Richmond after looking for family doctor jobs in Canada, but she and her children already feel at home.
Originally from Nigeria, Dr. Olayemi graduated from the University of Benin before moving to Ghana to complete her family physician training. After practicing family medicine in Ghana for more than a decade, she began exploring family doctor jobs in Canada, specifically opportunities available through the Practice Ready Assessment (PRA-BC) program. This pathway allowed her to begin preparing for the required exams while still practicing abroad.
“I felt that Canada would offer a better life for the kids,” she explains. “I wanted them to experience a society where they are free to do what they want, and where the system supports them in every aspect, such as in health care and education.”
Arriving in British Columbia, Dr. Olayemi completed her Clinical Field Assessment in North Vancouver, where she was introduced to long-term and urgent care. “I was happy that Vancouver Coastal Health linked me with the Richmond Division of Family Practice,” she says, noting how the recruitment team quickly connected her with clinics to explore. The Richmond Division of Family Practice (RDFP) is a professional network of almost 300 local family physicians working together to improve healthcare. This network supports family physicians through a free membership that gives access to exclusive events, career and practice assistance, and peer-to-peer support.
Finding the Perfect Fit for Family Practitioners
Her decision to settle in Richmond was guided by her desire to find the right fit: “I wanted a place where I could fit in, that supported my style of practice, and where I could call home. I think that’s what I found at MegaFu.”
Dr. Olayemi also appreciated the settlement resources available through the RDFP member portal, which helped her register her two younger children in school. “RDFP gave me quite a lot of support,” she says. “Not everyone who did the PRA-BC with me were as lucky as I was to have that kind of support.”
Today, in addition to her practice, Dr. Olayemi serves as a long-term care physician at Pinegrove Place, participates in the RDFP’s IT Working Group, and works with the RAP program to expand her patient panel. “I am in Richmond, so I should try to serve this population,” she says.
For her family, the move has been equally rewarding. The kids have made friends, play soccer, and enjoy community life, while Dr. Olayemi spends her free time playing basketball with her son, walking, and planning to join a dance class.
Reflecting on her journey, she notes: “I got selected into Richmond, but I’m glad I came to Richmond. I am happy.”
Why Select Richmond as a Family Doctor?
For physicians considering starting their healthcare career in British Columbia, Richmond offers a welcoming community, strong support, and opportunities to build a fulfilling practice. Whether you are exploring healthcare jobs in Canada, or seeking a rewarding physician career in Richmond, Richmond Division of Family Practice is here to support you every step of the way.
Richmond now participates in two cohorts per year, allowing more IMGs to integrate into our community and provide longitudinal family practice.
The Richmond PCN (Primary Care Network) is dedicated to supporting family doctors and their patients through coordinated care, community resources, and personalized support. By connecting physicians with social workers, clinical counsellors, and community link workers, the Richmond PCN helps improve patient outcomes while making it easier for doctors to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care.
From Career Loss to Community Impact
Anthony Yip travelled the world for his management job in IT with the global inter-banking company Swift. That all changed in 2016 when a stroke cost him not only his ability to communicate, but also his whole career.
“I lost everything,” he says, able to speak again now after years of hard work. “I lost my work, lost all of my friends, lost everything.” Despite several attempts through WorkBC, Yip says nobody would hire him.
“I didn’t want to give up, and I didn’t want to do nothing. This is very important.”
Luckily, Yip’s family physician Dr. David Fung referred him to PCN Clinical Counsellor Shirley Lai and PCN Social Worker Athina Lai. Upon assessment, these PCN clinicians looped Community Link Worker Sean Canasa into Yip’s circle of care.
Finding Purpose Through the Richmond PCN and Volunteer Work
“Sean and Athina have helped me a lot. They are always calling me, reminding me to go someplace, helping me in so many ways to learn how to help myself.”
Yip still carries the original list of volunteer roles that Sean had printed for consideration. One of those jobs relied on Yip’s IT experience and seemed a perfect fit. For the past year, he has been visiting Connections Community Services weekly to teach seniors how to use various technology and devices in the Digital Literacy Program for Seniors.
“It is a way that I can still help people,” says Yip.
Yip’s skills and dedication have garnered attention. Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie presented him with the nomination-based U-Roc Award from the City of Richmond as an Asset Champion for Community Support, and he was interviewed by Chris Yuen on Radio AM1470.
Beyond connecting him to this role, Canasa supported Yip with the application process including a criminal record check, and aligned him with exercise programs and educational workshops at the Richmond Stroke Recovery Centre.
“I invite doctors to send more patients to Sean because he is so kind, and because so many people need this kind of support,” says Yip. “Without him, many people wouldn’t know how to find out these things.”
Family physicians interested in improving patient care through coordinated support are invited to learn more about joining Richmond Primary Care Networks.
Social Prescribing in Richmond connects patients to meaningful community resources that improve their health, well-being, and social connections. Through Richmond’s PCN Community Link program, family doctors can link patients to tailored services, whether it’s volunteer opportunities, fresh food delivery, or support navigating essential systems, helping them thrive
How the Program Transforms Lives
Sometimes, it’s a few new walking buddies, delivery of fresh veggies, a volunteer opportunity, or someone to help with taxes that turns a life around.
Richmond’s PCN Community Link Worker connects your patients to special services throughout our community, and it’s having a profound impact on their ability to thrive. Patients are reporting improved physical and emotional well-being, social connections, and ease of navigating essential systems. This program, sometimes known as social prescribing, has received more than 200 referrals since the program started in October 2022.
In the year they have been working together, Community Link Worker Sean Canasa has formed a strong bond with Anthony Yip. Read Anthony’s story.
“I invite doctors to send more patients to Sean because he is so kind, and because so many people need this kind of support,” says Yip. “Without him, many people wouldn’t know how to find out these things.”
Through the Community Link Worker, the Richmond Division and Richmond Primary Care Networks have had the opportunity to develop strong relationships with key community partners throughout Richmond.
PCN Community Link Highlights from 2023–24:
Beyond providing direct client care, the program has become a respected platform for collaboration, outreach, advocacy, and engagement with other many community organizations throughout Richmond.
100+ client outreach appointments have been completed in the community, many of them with life-changing results.
The program is scheduled to deliver several community workshops about the PCN, accessing care, finding a family doctor, and accessing community exercise programs. Workshops are booked with SUCCESS Richmond, the South Arm Community Centre Seniors Program, and the Richmond Community Respiratory Program.
Richmond’s Social Prescribing program demonstrates how connecting patients to community resources can transform lives. By partnering with the PCN Community Link Worker, family doctors can enhance patient care, improve outcomes, and foster stronger community ties.
