How has engaging the public we serve influenced your team’s work? As a health care professional, what have you learned from patients, clients and families? What additional opportunities do you see for engaging the public with health care planning?

These are just a few of the questions addressed by a panel of staff and public advisors during Vancouver’s December All-Staff Forum.

The forum’s wide-ranging discussion covered a rich mix of examples highlighting how patients, clients and families are helping us change health care for the better. This discussion was prefaced by a presentation on how patient and family advisors contributed to the building of our new Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre scheduled for completion in the fall of 2017.

Better together

Isabella Mori (centre) of the Vancouver MHSU Family/Client Support & Involvement Team co-presented with Jody Ter Weeme, a client, and Nicole Taylor, a family member.

Accreditation Canada recently praised VCH for our public engagement work. They congratulated us on our efforts and encouraged us to shine a spotlight on the remarkable people who serve as advisors and the difference they make. With that in mind, we asked advisors working within Vancouver to share their hopes and dreams with us. Here’s what they had to say.

Watch the recorded webcast

Discussion panel (l to r): Jenifer Tabamo, clinical nurse specialist, VGH; Jim Mann, patient advisor; Jeff West, co-ordinator, Connections Addiction Clinic; Belinda Boyd, leader, Community Engagement Team; Daniel Benson, Downtown Eastside peer advisor and Debora Turner, public advisor.

The Vancouver All-Staff Forum was recorded for you to experience at your convenience. If you couldn’t join us, you can still watch the recorded webcast.

Learn more about public engagement

Community Engagement Advisory Network