Doctors of BC, formally known as the British Columbia Medical Association (BCMA), is a professional organization that represents 16,000 physicians, medical residents and medical students in the province of British Columbia. Its goals are to promote a social, economic, and political climate in which members can provide the citizens of BC with the highest standard of health care, while achieving maximum professional satisfaction and fair economic reward. Membership is voluntary.

Doctors of BC
FormationJanuary 1, 1900; 124 years ago (1900-01-01)
Legal statusphysician association
Location
Region served
British Columbia, Canada
CEO
Allan Seckel
Parent organization
Canadian Medical Association
Websitewww.doctorsofbc.ca
Formerly called
British Columbia Medical Association

Doctors of BC represents physicians in negotiations with the BC government. It also advocates for physicians and promotes health and wellness for BC residents. Doctors of BC is a partner with the BC government on the Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs) which are designed to improve the health care system with the goal of providing quality patient care.

Governance

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Doctors of BC has a dual-structure governance model that consists of a Representative Assembly to ensure members' views are fully represented and a Board of Directors that has the legal and fiduciary responsibility to manage the affairs of the Association. The annually elected President serves as the primary spokesperson.

History

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Doctors of BC was founded in January 1900 as the BC Medical Association with Dr R.E. McKechnie, a surgeon from Nanaimo, as President. In 2014, the BCMA adopted the name Doctors of BC.[1]

Publications

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British Columbia Medical Journal

The British Columbia Medical Journal is a peer-reviewed general medical journal covering scientific research, review articles, and updates on contemporary clinical practices written by British Columbian physicians or focused on topics likely to be of interest to them. It is funded through Doctors of BC is editorially independent. It is published 10 times per year.

Arms

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Coat of arms of Doctors of BC
Notes
Granted 28 March 1991[2]
Crest
A demi-griffin Or armed and langued Azure resting its dexter claw upon an ankh Sable.
Escutcheon
Or on a pale between two maple leaves Gules each charged with a dogwood flower Argent seeded Or a ducal coronet Or enfiled by a rod of Aesculapius Or tipped with a dogwood flower as on the leaves.
Supporters
On a grassy mound rising from barry wavy Azure and Argent on either side a griffin Gules armed and langued Azure each charged upon the shoulder with a fleam Or.
Badge
A rod of Aesculapius Or surmounted by a dogwood flower Argent seeded Or.

See also

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Canadian Medical Association

References

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  1. ^ Fayerman, Pamela (2014-07-16). "Was a doctors' lobby group re-branding really necessary, after more than 100 years?". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 2020-10-01.
  2. ^ "British Columbia Medical Association". Canadian Heraldic Authority. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
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