Dr. Matthew Kwok, Richmond Hospital emergency physician and UBC clinical assistant professor

Team attracted Dr. Kwok to Richmond’s ED

The following article appeared in the June 20th issue of the Richmond Review.

When every moment counts, you want to be able to rely on a team of experts who understand your challenges.

If the illness or emergency you face is beyond the scope of what your family doctor or walk-in clinic can provide, Richmond Hospital’s Emergency Department is here to care for you and your family, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The demand for emergency care in Richmond has continued to increase. With a rapidly growing community and the fastest growing senior population in B.C., Richmond’s Emergency Department is seeing nearly 10 per cent more visits than the previous year.

Richmond Hospital’s emergency team is committed to delivering high quality and compassionate care and we are proud to have Dr. Matthew Kwok, emergency physician and UBC clinical assistant professor, as part of the team. Born in Hong Kong, Dr. Kwok grew up in Winnipeg and moved to study medicine here at UBC. He graduated in 1999, completed a residency in emergency medicine at the University of Toronto, and fortunately for us, returned to practice at Richmond Hospital for the past eight years.

As one of a number of emergency physicians who call Richmond home, Dr. Kwok is a skilled doctor and a tireless advocate for patients and the health of our community. Here, he shares his perspective on the wonderful care that is provided to those who visit the Richmond Hospital Emergency Department:

“What attracted me to come work here at Richmond Hospital is the team. It’s a really competent and compassionate group. There are quite a few physicians who have worked here for more than 20 years. That tells me it’s a great place to work. They like it here and they’ve stayed.

“It’s the perfect-sized hospital. I know everyone by name, which really helps with better patient care. We work together better because we know each other so well.

“From a doctor’s perspective, it’s a very interesting place to work. We care for people of all ages, from babies who are a few days old to adults over 100 years old, from the sickest patients to those with more minor injuries. I help people with all kinds of illnesses and conditions.

“Richmond Hospital is also important to me because like a number of my colleagues, I live here. The hospital provides care for my family, my children, my extended family and my friends. It’s personal.

“The government tries their best to invest in health care, but taxpayers’ dollars are limited. We always need donor help because our community is growing and the number of people visiting the Emergency Department is growing as well. We want to continue to deliver the highest quality care that our patients expect.

“Donors help us purchase additional pieces of equipment so patients don’t have to wait for our sole unit to become available. That is how donors can improve Emergency care. Through the generosity of donors, Richmond Hospital is a much better place and much better equipped.”

Please consider making a gift. Your donation, combined with those of others, will have a positive impact on many patients and families. See www.richmondhospitalfoundation.com for info.