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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
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.
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.
Access to Richmond PCN physiotherapy is transforming the lives of patients recovering from injuries, chronic pain, or mobility challenges. By connecting family physicians with funded, high-quality physiotherapy services, the Richmond PCN ensures patients receive the care they need to regain independence, improve mobility, and enhance overall well-being—without the financial burden of private treatment.
A Life Changed by Multiple Accidents
It’s a tale nearly impossible to imagine, but Richmond resident Judy Graham’s life had to take a 180-degree turn since suffering not one, but six car accidents since 2017.
“In every accident, my vehicle was at a complete stop,” says the former oil and gas industry project manager who was forced into early retirement due to severe neck and leg pain.
“I travelled a lot for the job, and was on job sites wearing steel-toed boots and hard hats and climbing on rocks, but it became tough,” says Graham. “Because retirement was forced on me, I wasn’t ready for it and was really quite sad, but I knew I had to stop.”
Family Physician Referral to PCN Care: Transformative Results Through Physiotherapy
Graham’s family physician, Dr. Lisa Nakajima, felt physiotherapy could help and referred her to a series of MSP-funded PCN sessions at Garratt Wellness Centre.
“Doctor Nakajima is an absolute Godsend to me, says Graham. “I am so blessed to have her as my doctor. I always try and listen because she is always right.”
Determined to heal, Graham took her physiotherapy program seriously and worked hard to master the weight and balancing exercises outlined for her. “The difference was phenomenal. It did remarkable things for me,” she says.
“Access to this treatment has been life-saving. I couldn’t afford physio otherwise. The program is incredible, and a huge necessity for elderly people.” Judy Graham, Richmond Resident
Graham has exhausted her initial allocation of funded sessions but has re-applied, and hopes to see her favourite therapist again.
“He is the most amazing person ever,” she says, with a tear in her eye about PCN physiotherapist Paulo Macapagal. “He is so kind and compassionate, and really encouraged me. He gave me a whole lot of hope that I will get better. I can’t say enough about him.”
Always excited for the visits, Graham was inspired to demonstrate how hard she was working at home.
“I always looked forward to it, loved seeing him, and left feeling so great and wondering how I got this lucky,” she says, “I miss him terribly and can’t wait to go back, because I know he is going to help with this pain.”
“Having access to this treatment has been life-saving,” she says. “And it being offered at no cost? That’s huge. I couldn’t afford physio otherwise. This program is incredible, and such a necessity for elderly people. I am ever so grateful.”
Encouraging Family Physicians to Refer to the PCN
Since experiencing the benefits first-hand, Graham hopes that all Richmond family physicians adopt referrals to PCN services for their patients and understand what an important impact they are having on real lives like hers.
Richmond PCN physiotherapy offers life-changing care for patients recovering from injuries, chronic pain, or mobility challenges. Funded sessions make these services accessible to those who might not afford physiotherapy otherwise, while skilled PCN therapists provide guidance and support to help patients regain independence and improve their quality of life.
Family physicians and patients in Richmond are encouraged to explore the benefits of PCN services. Refer your patients to the Richmond PCN today or learn more about how these programs can support recovery, mobility, and overall well-being.
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.
The Richmond Division of Family Practice has launched a new website to better serve family physicians, medical office assistants, partners, and patients. Designed with streamlined navigation and comprehensive resources, the site highlights the Division’s commitment to team-based, preventative care and strengthens connections across Richmond’s Primary Care Networks.
Launch of the New Richmond Division of Family Practice Website
The Richmond Division of Family Practice launched its new website today to strengthen communication for member Family Physicians, Medical Office Assistants, partners, and patients.
“The new website is the culmination of almost a year of dedicated effort,” says Richmond Division Executive Director Jennifer West. “We have connected with our membership and community stakeholders to ensure that we create a communication tool that is useful, adds value, and reflects the diverse services and supports offered by the Division.”
Since inception, the 35 Divisions of Family Practice throughout the province have operated under the umbrella website provided by the Family Practice Services Committee.
“Richmond was among the first communities selected to implement a Primary Care Network in B.C.,” says West. “During the last four years, we have outgrown our website and platform. Our new site, developed with leading edge technology, will better support the dynamic PCN team’s robust information needs.”
Enhancing Communication and Resources for Members and Patients
Visitors can expect streamlined navigation, a wealth of resources, and clarity around the organization’s scope and mission. The site also includes an education section for patients and providers to learn how Richmond’s Primary Care Networks are shifting the focus to preventative, team-based care.
“It’s a first and critical step,” she adds. “We now have more and better tools available to connect with people. The many stakeholders in our health care system have shared goals to promote health system evolution and better patient care for Richmond residents. The Richmond Division is proud to present our new website for our members and community.”
Richmond’s new website provides members and the community with easy access to educational resources, program information, and updates on local healthcare initiatives. By centralizing information and offering tools for both providers and patients, the site enhances communication, supports professional collaboration, and promotes better patient care throughout Richmond.
Explore the new Richmond Division of Family Practice website to discover its features—whether you are a current member, looking to start a healthcare career in Richmond, seeking more information on the PCN, or searching for a family doctor.
