by asupangco | Sep 22, 2025 | News
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.
âWe act as the window into local government for businesses,â she says. âIt turns out there is a major role for us to play here, too.â
That single presentation evolved into a formal working group that united eight Physicians, senior City staff, and representatives from Doctors of BCâs Practice Support Team. Their goal? Reduce confusion around zoning, permits, and business licensing for Physicians.
âWe took a closer look and realized that medical offices are allowed in most commercial zones,â says Ferland. âWe focused on education and communication, and created a starter pack of helpful resources.â
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 Cityâs economic development team, making it easier to navigate the process of starting a clinic. âDoctors, like other entrepreneurs, are experts at what they do,â Ferland says. âOur job is to be that bridge to navigate City systems for them, so they can be successful.â
This partnership has been especially valuable for new-to-practice and internationally trained doctors. It deepened the Divisionâs understanding of how aligning municipal business services with health care needs can support Physician recruitment and access to patient care.
âThanks 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,â explains Ferland. âWeâve got this direct line of communication now. If the Division needs us, weâre here.â
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.
Thinking about opening a clinic in Richmond? Connect with the Richmond Division of Family Practice to access resources, guidance, and community support.
A version of this article was originally published in Richmond Division of Family Practice Annual Impact Report 2025-25
by asupangco | Sep 19, 2025 | News
Welcoming New Talent
The leaves are changing, and so is Richmondâs medical community â for the better! Join us in welcoming Dr. Ahlam Ezwai, Dr. Ketki Merchant, Dr. Linnette Ocariza and Dr. Amer Zabalawi! Their presence is already making a huge impact, empowering four local family practices to reopen their doors to accept new patients this September 2025. The addition of these four dedicated practitioners is a breath of fresh air for both our clinics and our entire community. If youâre interested in joining this growing network, explore current Richmond family physician jobs and make an impact close to home.
Clinics play a vital role in attracting new talent through hosting and mentoring international medical graduates (IMGs) transitioning their practices to B.C. Participating in Return of Service (ROS) programs offers the opportunity to strengthen your clinic team through securing highly skilled medical professionals while also making a powerful, positive impact on the health of our entire community.
Learn more about these new family doctors
Their journeys highlight the diverse pathways into practice, from international training to Practice Ready Assessment programs. For those exploring Richmond family physician jobs, these success stories demonstrate how supportive clinics, strong networks, and the Richmond Primary Care Network create a rewarding environment for both doctors and patients.
Richmond family physician jobs
Richmond continues to grow as a hub for primary care, with exciting opportunities for physicians and patients alike. Recent recruitment efforts have expanded access to Richmond family physician jobs, bringing skilled doctors into local clinics and reopening doors for new patients. For family physicians seeking a supportive environment and a community-focused practice, Richmond offers rewarding career paths that strengthen both clinical teams and the health of our community.
Looking to get involved and/or learn more about these programs? Contact recruitment@rdfp.ca.
by asupangco | Sep 8, 2025 | News
Itâs 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.
âI felt that Canada would offer a better life for the kids,â she explains. âI 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.â
Arriving in British Columbia, Dr. Olayemi completed her Clinical Field Assessment in North Vancouver, where she was introduced to long-term and urgent care. âI was happy that Vancouver Coastal Health linked me with the Richmond Division of Family Practice,â 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: âI wanted a place where I could fit in, that supported my style of practice, and where I could call home. I think thatâs what I found at MegaFu.â
Dr. Olayemi also appreciated the settlement resources available through the RDFP member portal, which helped her register her two younger children in school. âRDFP gave me quite a lot of support,â she says. âNot everyone who did the PRA-BC with me were as lucky as I was to have that kind of support.â
Today, in addition to her practice, Dr. Olayemi serves as a long-term care physician at Pinegrove Place, participates in the RDFPâs IT Working Group, and works with the RAP program to expand her patient panel. âI am in Richmond, so I should try to serve this population,â 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: âI got selected into Richmond, but Iâm glad I came to Richmond. I am happy.â
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.
Start your family practice in Richmond today. Visit our physician recruitment website.
Contact recruitment@rdfp.ca for more information.
A version of this article was originally published in Richmond Division of Family Practice Annual Report 2023-24
by Donna Liu | Nov 5, 2024 | News
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.
âI lost everything,â he says, able to speak again now after years of hard work. âI lost my work, lost all of my friends, lost everything.â Despite several attempts through WorkBC, Yip says nobody would hire him.
âI didnât want to give up, and I didnât want to do nothing. This is very important.â
Luckily, Yipâs 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 Yipâs circle of care.
Finding Purpose Through the Richmond PCN and Volunteer Work
âSean 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.â
Yip still carries the original list of volunteer roles that Sean had printed for consideration. One of those jobs relied on Yipâs 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.
âIt is a way that I can still help people,â says Yip.
Yipâs 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.
âI invite doctors to send more patients to Sean because he is so kind, and because so many people need this kind of support,â says Yip. âWithout him, many people wouldnât know how to find out these things.â
Family physicians interested in improving patient care through coordinated support are invited to learn more about joining Richmond Primary Care Networks.
by Donna Liu | Oct 5, 2024 | News
Social Prescribing in Richmond connects patients to meaningful community resources that improve their health, well-being, and social connections. Through Richmondâs PCN Community Link program, family doctors can link patients to tailored services, whether itâs volunteer opportunities, fresh food delivery, or support navigating essential systems, helping them thrive
How the Program Transforms Lives
Sometimes, itâs a few new walking buddies, delivery of fresh veggies, a volunteer opportunity, or someone to help with taxes that turns a life around.
Richmondâs PCN Community Link Worker connects your patients to special services throughout our community, and itâs 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.
âI invite doctors to send more patients to Sean because he is so kind, and because so many people need this kind of support,â says Yip. âWithout him, many people wouldnât know how to find out these things.â
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 2023â24:
- 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.
Richmondâs 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.
Learn more about Richmond Primary Care Networks.
