Perfect Day, Every Day. Choosing Victoria for Your Family Practice.

every day. perfect day,

CHOOSING VICTORIA FOR YOUR FAMILY PRACTICE

CHOOSING THE PLACE TO SET UP YOUR PRACTICE, OR TO JOIN AN EXISTING ONE, CAN BE ONE OF THE TOUGHEST DECISIONS YOU’LL EVER MAKE.

2 YOUR PRACTICE CAN SUIT YOUR LIFESTYLE

10 YOUR VICTORIA DIVISION OF FAMILY PRACTICE

4 PRIORITIZING YOUR WORK-LIFE BALANCE

12 WELCOME & TRANSITIONS MENTORING

6 OUTDOOR LIVING IN THE WARM WEST

14 MAKING PRACTICE COVERAGE A PRIORITY

8 THE BEST PLACE TO RAISE YOUR FAMILY

16 CARING FOR OUR PHYSICIANS’ WELLBEING

WE ASKED DOCTORS LIKE YOU WHY THEY CHOSE TO PRACTICE IN VICTORIA. THEIR ANSWERS MAY HELP YOU TO MAKE...

decision THE BEST

OF YOUR LIFE.

18 ACCESS TO CME

26 AFTER HOURS FUN

20 STRONG CONNECTIONS WITH SPECIALISTS

28 FACT FILE

22 MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO TUTOR & TEACH

30 RESOURCES

24 BIG CITY OFFERINGS, SMALL TOWN VIBE

31 BOOK A TOUR

?

WHY TO FLIP PRACTICE SO MANY REASONS

OVER VICTORIA.

FAMILY MEDICINE

IN VICTORIA?

Everyone knows Victoria is a stunning city that boasts one of the warmest climates in Canada, and that offers recreational opportunities to excite outdoor enthusiasts year round. As a family doctor, you want a practice that best serves your community, while engaging your interests and vision. Here, you have the flexibility to create the practice that you desire, and that matches your lifestyle.

Perhaps you like the idea of testing the waters

Whatever your professional goal, you’ll find

as a locum physician, to give you a strong

it here, on the warm and temperate west coast

introduction before either launching your

in British Columbia’s vibrant capital city.

own practice, or joining an established clinic.

The Victoria Division of Family Practice,

Maybe you see yourself as a hospitalist or ER

the thriving professional association that

doctor at Victoria General Hospital (VGH) or the

represents our GP community, organizes

Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH), or as supporting

a full roster of professional development

one of our many busy walk-in clinics.

opportunities to build your knowledge base.

There are also plenty of opportunities for a

We enjoy strong ties between GPs and

more specialized practice, whether that means

specialists. We have an excellent medical

developing your niche, working with teens at

school, with opportunities to teach medical

the Victoria Youth Clinic, working as a military

students and residents. Our growing locum

physician with CFB Esquimalt, or joining the

matching system can give you a job,

oncologists at the B.C. Cancer Agency.

or a much needed break.

in a nutshell, we want you here, and your services are needed. We will support you in settling in Victoria, and in caring for your overall wellbeing.

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Flexibility to Mix + Match Your Own Practice Style OPTIONS TO WORK AS A: • Full-Service Doctor • Hospitalist • Doctor with a Specialty • Locum Doctor • Part-time Family Practitioner OPTIONS TO WORK IN: • The Military • Walk-in Clinics • Emergency Rooms • The Victoria Youth Clinic • Island Sexual Health • Obstetrics & Maternity Care • Palliative Care • Long-term Residential Care • Hospice Care • The B.C. Cancer Agency •

THE 12 BEST THINGS ABOUT VICTORIA <VOTED BY LOCALS> NATURAL ENVIRONMENT CLIMATE AIR QUALITY FRIENDS & FAMILY FEELING OF SAFETY WALKABILITY PARKS RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES ACCESS TO LOCALLY GROWN FOOD ARTS & CULTURE FESTIVALS & EVENTS SENSE OF COMMUNITY

2

Your practice can suit your lifestyle.

“To pick a place to setup a practice, I think you really have to look at your lifestyle and your personality.

Ask yourself what kinds of things you want to do and to get at, both outside the office and within the office itself.

I think you have to be able to reconcile your interests and your hobbies with the environment. Certainly around here, there’s a variety of opportunities, from a big city feel in an urban environment, to a country feel in a rural environment, all within very short order of downtown Victoria.”

— Dr. Steve Martin, Course Director, Clinical Skills, Island Medical Program at the University of Victoria

“There are many options here to tailor your work to create a practice that reflects what you really want. If you want to be solely community-based, you can do that. If you prefer hospitalist work, there are ways to do that.

There’s an abundance of walk-in clinics, so you can add hours on evenings and on weekends if you need to. It’s very flexible.

I’m mostly based out of the clinic during the week. I’m also doing some shifts at a walk-in clinic on weekends, as I feel I have the energy to do so. I’ve joined a large call group where I’m only on call six days a year. That allows my patients to have after-hours coverage, but I don’t have too much burden in the evenings and on weekends. It allows me the freedom to enjoy other things in my life. I have an infant at home, so I appreciate having as much time as I can with her, with my husband, to explore the island, to spend time outdoors, and to enjoy our new home. There’s a lot to do.”

— Dr. Celeste Just, GP, Tuscany Medical Clinic

DESIGN YOUR

DREAM LIFE.

The Galloping Goose is a 60km bike trail that spans Sooke, Metchosin, Colwood, Langford, View Royal, Saanich, Sidney, and Victoria. It attracts 1.7-million users each year.

88

per cent of locals would describe themselves as happy

FIND THAT

SWEET SPOT. Snow + Surf Escapes: Victoria to Sombrio Beach 1h:47m Victoria to Mount Washington 3h:8m Victoria to Tofino 4h:16m

“The best thing about being in Victoria is having access to fresh air, ocean breeze, and waves that crash down...they lead your mind to a peaceful state. I also really enjoy the sense of balance people have in their lives between family, work, and the outdoors.

The general attitude is a mix of productivity and relaxation. In some cities, people walk straight ahead as though nobody else exists.

In Victoria, people will talk to you in coffee shops and acknowledge each other on the street.

It gives the city a real feeling of community.”

— Dr. Jody Young, GP

Prioritizing your work-life balance.

“I think here in Victoria, we have a different idea of what

Best places to walk your dog: Dallas Road, Thetis Lake, Elk Lake

our lives should look like. Between family

Best urban escapes: Beacon Hill Park, Mount Doug, Willow’s Beach

responsibilities, work, and play, we need to strike a balanced equation.

The Victoria physicians I know do it brilliantly.

There are so many doctors who are working a few days in their family practice or in a group practice, doing youth clinic shifts, doing Island Sexual Health shifts, sometimes working in the hospital, plus trying to have balance for their personal and family commitments. I myself really honour the variety of work that I have.

The location of Victoria and Vancouver Island is one that just inspires work-life balance, because there is so much beauty and so much recreational opportunity here.”

— Dr. Mark Sherman, Integrative Family Medicine Physician, James Bay Community Project; Executive

MOST ADULTS WORK LESS THAN 50 HOURS PER WEEK

J B 6.2%

4.8%

16.3%

54.8%

17.8%

<25 Average number of hours worked 25–34 in one week 35–49 50–59 60+

Director, B.C. Association for Living Mindfully (BCalm)

5

“You can do whatever

Outdoor living in the warm west.

you want to do, outside, all year round. That’s probably the one thing that allows everyone to stay active, and to keep our really healthy

“I grew up in Montreal, and loved the big

90-year-olds around.”

city environment. When I came to B.C., I fell in love with the outdoors: the mountains, the ocean, the outdoor

— Dr. Jody Young

opportunities, surfing on the west coast, rainforest walks.

“It’s January and the flowers are out.”

— Dr. Janet Mak

I had the world of choice of where to practice, and once I had

“I feel like this is paradise everyday.

the beaches with my kids. I love exposing them to that raw

visited a few times, it seemed like the perfect place for my wife and I to practice medicine, and to live, play, and raise our kids.

I really love surfing, and spending time in the forests and on natural beauty of the West Coast. We love skiing, and Mount Washington is just three hours up the island near Courtenay.

It’s such nice mild weather...

We also love visiting the special subcultures of the Gulf Islands.”

because I’m used to such cold

— Dr. Mark Sherman

DEC

0

NOV

So for me, it’s just wonderful.”

OCT

5 JAN

it was minus one degree.

SEP

10

AUG

here was in December, when

JUL

15

Average Annual Temperatures °C

JUN

the coldest it’s been since I got

— Dr. Celeste Just

6

20

MAY

winter boots or mitts. I think

25

APR

not having to worry about

MAR

a jacket most days. It’s nice

FEB

and ice, I don’t even wear

71

per cent of locals spend their leisure time being active

more than 27,000 hectares (11% of the land base ) under park or protected area status 33 regional parks & trails 788 km bikeway network (the PIC, or Primary Inter-Community Network) more than 25% completed mildest winters in Canada temperatures rarely below 0°C or above 30°C lowest rainfall on British Columbia’s west coast Springtime marked by blooming of the cherry blossoms, normally in mid-February

EXPLORE WEST COAST

RAW+

RUGGED NATURE.

KID-FRIENDLY.

Beach Life! Downtown to: Dallas Road, Gonzales Bay: 10 min Willow’s Beach: 12 min Cadboro-Gyro Beach Park: 16 min Whitty’s Lagoon: 41 min

91

per cent of youth spend their leisure time being active

“I don’t think there’s any better place for families than Victoria.”

— Dr. Janet Mak, GP, Doctor’s Medical Clinic

The best place to raise your family.

“There aren’t many places in Canada where kids can play outside without their snowsuit all year long. We walk to school, walk to parks, and we’re a block away from the beach. I can get off of work, pick up my kids within 15 minutes, and get them to their lessons in another 15 minutes.

The commute, compared to many cities, is incredible. Quality private education is affordable, which means, rather than being exclusive, there are a lot of professional parents in the mix.” — Dr. Janet Mak

Fun Stuff for Kids • Exploring nature trails, rainforests & beaches • Beacon Hill Children’s Farm • IMAX Victoria & the Royal B.C. Royal Museum • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Miniature World • Bug Zoo • AdrenaLine Zipline Adventures • Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse • Maritime Museum of B.C. • Harbour Ferry Tours • Blenkinsop Valley Adventure Golf Centre • Western Speedway

• All Fun Recreation Park • Witty’s Lagoon Tide Pools & Skimboarding • Butterfly World • Butchart Gardens Children’s Pavilion & Rose Carousel • Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre • Annual Lego Exhibit • Victoria Royals Hockey Games • Victoria Shamrocks Lacrosse Games • Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Games • Fisherman’s Wharf • Ghostly Walks

“In terms of childcare, there are a lot of licensed family daycares and other options. I’ve also noticed a wide variety of schools for children of different age groups, from Montessori, to very good public schools, to lots of private options.” – Dr. Celeste Just PARTIAL SCHOOL LIST • 27 PUBLIC ELEMENTARY

• ARTSCALIBRE ACADEMY

• 10 PUBLIC MIDDLE

• OAK AND ORCA BIOREGIONAL SCHOOL

• 7 PUBLIC SECONDARY • 14 MONTESSORI • GLENLYON NORFOLK SCHOOL • ST. MICHAEL’S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL • ST. MARGARET’S SCHOOL

• ST. PATRICK’S ELEMENTARY • ST. ANDREW’S REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL • ST. JOSEPH’S ELEMENTARY • ELIZABETH BUCKLEY SCHOOL • PEARSON COLLEGE

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“I feel this group here is very forward-thinking, so there are lots of opportunities to get involved and to push forward initiatives that you believe in.”

— Dr. Celeste Just

Strength in numbers.

Benefit from the member-driven

Your Victoria Division of Family Practice.

“The Division is filling the void of socialization, peer support, and practice improvement. Since it’s inception, our community of family doctors has become more united through a variety of projects, such as securing locums and practice coverage, working on senior support in nursing homes, and increasing communication between patients, caregivers,

work of your professional association for local GPs in Victoria, the Victoria Division of Family Practice.

Our members are empowered to identify areas for change within the local medical system, and are funded to join working groups that reflect their passions. Together, we devise and enable strategies for real improvement.

hospitals, and GPs. They offer many CME events, and mentoring

SOME DIVISION INITIATIVES:

for new and transitioning physicians to make it easier to settle

• A GP for Me

here, or to transition into a different style of practice.

• Welcome & Transitions Mentorship

The Division’s work has allowed community physicians to come together and say, ‘This is what’s really important to me, I’m going to get involved.’ We have almost 400 member

• Monthly Dine & Learn Series • Locum & Practice Coverage Matching • Transitions in Care & e-Notification

physicians in Victoria, and those who are getting involved are

• TORCH: Toward Optimal Residential Care Health

really seeing the positive outcome and change they can have.

• Emergency Response Planning

That has a huge influence on creating change, and allows

• Mental Health & Substance Use

physicians to feel they are contributing to society.”

• Frail Seniors in the Community

— Dr. Jody Young

• Community Building & Engagement • Physician Resource Guide • MOA Network • Mindfulness Meditation for GPs

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SUPPORTED BY AN awesome

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION.

GPs Dr. Jessica Fry and Dr. Caitlin Harmon have had great experiences with mentoring medical students and new doctors in Victoria.

warm

WELCOME.

Welcome & Transitions Mentoring Program.

Being the new kid on the block can be tough.

That’s why the Victoria Division pairs welcoming physician mentors with doctors who are new to the area, or who are shifting

“The Division was very helpful for me to learn how to work in Victoria, what job opportunities there are, and what opportunities there are for continuing medical education.” — Dr. Celeste Just

their practice style. Matches are made with the aim of connecting people whose interests and availability align.

Mentors sometimes meet their partners for a casual coffee or dinner, or accompany them to Division engagement events. They can make introductions and offer important local or insider knowledge, supporting a physician’s smooth transition to Victoria, MENTORS ARE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT: • Medical students from Year 1 onward • Residents • GPs new to Victoria • GPs wanting to locum • GPs planning to work or volunteer abroad • GPs transitioning to a new specialization • GPs planning a family • GPs returning from maternity leave • GPs returning after raising children • GPs retiring • and more!

To find your mentor, contact Helen Welch: hwelch@divisionsbc.ca

or to a new type of practice.

There are all sorts of reasons you might wish for a mentor throughout your career. The Welcome & Transitions Mentoring program supports physicians in all stages of their professional lives, whether you are a first year student, a resident, a doctor new to the area, or a GP practicing in Victoria. The program also matches mentors to those transitioning into a new area of practice, returning to work after having a baby or raising children, or preparing for retirement. These personal connections can offer a softer, smoother transition to the next chapter of your life.

“I think it is important to support

I have worked with a couple of new doctors,

new doctors, whether they are new graduates,

including one doctor who shadowed me

or have recently moved here from somewhere

for a few shifts at Island Sexual Health.

else. I think it definitely helps them to be more

I taught her how to insert IUDs, but also

successful, and makes them more likely

got her thinking about things like how to set

to want to stay in Victoria.

up locums, finances, accounting, and what

I myself did my residency in Victoria,

to incorporate into her practice long-term.

and my main preceptor was Dr. Darcy Nielsen.

Experiences like this give me the satisfaction

She was my mentor for all things medicine

of helping new doctors, just like others helped

and medicine-related. She taught me what

me, and remind me of all the things I really like

I should look for in setting up a practice,

about practicing medicine in Victoria.”

and gave me good information about things like accounting and incorporation.

— Dr. Caitlin Harmon, Dr. Caitlin Harmon Family Practice/Grow Health

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“I see a lot of need for locums.

My wife and I have each completed at least 20 locum positions.” — Dr. Bruce Rebner Unique options like cross-coverage, long-term locums, part-time associates, and transition-to-retirement practice coverage are supported.

Making practice coverage a priority.

We know great doctors stay that way by scheduling their well-earned breaks. We also know that locums are often more free-spirited and adventurous, and are looking for freedom and options in their schedules.

The Division’s innovative, one-stop locum matching service makes that possible by supporting member locums looking for jobs, and family physicians who need practice coverage.

As a locum, you’ll have access to the best jobs in Victoria, competitive remuneration rates, mentoring, and administrative support for details like logistics, contracts, and billing.

As a member seeking coverage, you’ll learn how to prepare and make your practice more attractive to locums. You’ll also receive support and advice on crafting effective job postings.

Finding the perfect match means combining technology with networking and personal, individual support.

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“There’s something to be said about the locum lifestyle. We don’t have kids yet, and we enjoy travelling, so being locums gives my wife and I some freedom. The longer-term idea is to establish a practice, but there are definitely periods of your life when locuming makes sense.

I think it’s an attractive option at both ends of the career... when you’re young, and after you’ve worked for 20 or 30 years and have given up your practice.

Division events like the Dine & Learns are great platforms to meet fellow doctors.

And, the locum coordinator has been really easily accessible.

I’ve emailed a couple of times for a specific ten days and she has worked very hard to find a match.”

Our locum matching service asks physicians exactly what they

— Dr. Bruce Rebner often locums

are looking for in a locum or practice coverage job to ensure

in Victoria, elsewhere in BC, NWT,

the most suitable arrangements can be found.

and New Zealand

love FOR

LOCUMS.

“I believe we serve ourselves by practicing what we preach, and by walking our talk.”

— Dr. Mark Sherman, Executive Director, B.C. Association for Living Mindfully (BCalm)

MIND OVER MATTER.

The Victoria Division of Family Practice has teamed up with the B.C. Association for Living Mindfully (BCalm) to offer eight-week courses for family physicians in mindfulness-based meditation.

Caring for our physicians’ wellbeing.

“When it comes to physician stress, the CMA did a study in 2003 on physician burnout, and estimated that 47 per cent of us across the board in Canada are in the advanced stages of burnout.

There is a stress epidemic, for a variety of reasons. As physicians—people who are in the healthcare and wellness profession—I think we’re prone to stress because of our sincere will to help others, which is often what brings us into medicine in the first place. Physicians have a tendency toward perfectionism and other traits that make stress very common.

For that reason, tools like mindfulness, cognitive

We’ve had quite a few physicians come into

behaviour strategies, meditation, and positive

the mindfulness program. One of the exciting

psychology are particularly useful for us.

things that the Division is facilitating is the

As physicians, we all know, intellectually, about the burdens of stress and how that can affect our cardiovascular and mental health. Yet, by

group specifically for physicians, which focuses on the unique challenges of being a physician in Victoria.

managing our own stress, by having embodied

Through the Practice Support Program we’ve

presence, and by having a meditation practice,

also had a group for physicians to use some

when we’re giving advice to our patients

mindfulness tools in their practice. That was

and are speaking from a place of heart

quite popular.” — Dr. Mark Sherman

as opposed to just from the head, our message comes through more clearly.

BCalm’s referral-based mindfulness meditation courses are MSP-funded for both physicians and their patients.

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“The physicians with whom we engage, I have to admit, are the cream of the crop, because they are interested in continuing education, and in being on the forefront of how to be more effective in the care of their patients.”

— Esther Stevens, Coordinator, Regional Practice Support Program, Island Health

“The Dine and Learn sessions generally have one or more specialist physicians who come to talk about a particular topic. There’s a presentation portion followed by a Q&A. They tend to be smaller groups, so you can get more clinical questions answered.”

— Dr. Heera Bindra

Access to continuing medical education.

Victoria’s medical community benefits from an abundance of local CME opportunities to keep you on the forefront.

Medical Conferences. As the capital city of British Columbia, and the largest city on Vancouver Island, Victoria attracts an impressive variety of annual medical conferences.

Dine & Learn Events. The Division’s wildly popular monthly Dine & Learn events connect GPs with specialists to exchange knowledge and to solidify strong relationships in a social setting.

Practice Support Program. CME-accredited learning modules and in-practice coaching help GPs to improve clinical and practice management and patient care delivery.

Provincial Academic Detailing. Pharmacists provide objective, evidence-informed drug information to physicians on best prescribing practices.

Community Rounds. Hospital-based CME events on a rotating roster of specialized topics.

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LEARNING WITH YOUR

COLLEAGUES.

Pediatrician Dr. Krystal Cullen delivers a talk at a Dine & Learn event that brought five local pediatricians together with family practitioners for presentations and case discussions.

nurturing GPâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;SPECIALIST

RELATIONS.

“In my experience, having worked here before and after implementation of the Divisions, there used to be very little opportunity to get to know the specialists.

Now it’s quite straightforward.”

— Dr. Heera Bindra, Tuscany Medical Clinic

Monthly Dine & Learn events take place throughout Victoria and bring specialists together with family physicians to exchange knowledge, network, and strengthen relationships.

Strong connections with specialists.

“Specialists are really an arm’s length away here. We have all specialties, and even some sub-specialties within those. They’re all approachable, and you can, at any point, call for help. Given the population of Victoria, it’s relatively easy to see specialists, even if it’s non-urgent.

They are quite receptive to referrals in a timely manner.

What I really appreciate is that there’s good interaction between the specialists and the family doctors. The Dine and Learn events that the Division offers allow us to interact with specialists on a personal basis in a small group setting, and to get local input on a given topic. I feel like this relationship is relatively unique, because a lot of places don’t have full service specialists.

As well, the attitude of our specialists is very open and approachable. Our interactions and communication between family doctors and specialists is very congenial, and that’s more rewarding for both the patients and the

“Beyond meeting with specialists, the Dine & Learns and other Division events are great for getting to know our general practice colleagues. I am lucky to work in a group of four doctors, but if I were in a solo practice, without the Division I wouldn’t have had so much interaction.”

— Dr. Heera Bindra

physicians in practice.”

— Dr. Jody Young

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“We’re always putting out calls for interested tutors to come and participate in the program.”

— Dr. Steve Martin, Year 1&2 Course Director, Clinical Skills, Island Medical Program, University of Victoria

“It’s amazing how many tutors come back and say how the experience has renewed their

Many opportunities to tutor & teach.

interest in medicine, and has

The Island Medical Program (IMP)

Our family practice tutors

at the University of Victoria is one of four provincial sites of UBC’s distributed MD Undergraduate Program. The program accepts 32 medical students each year, allowing many opportunities for family doctors to get involved with tutoring and direct mentorship.

didn’t anticipate.

really find it engaging. They like the students’ questions, and it challenges them. Some come and stay for long periods, others come and go, or take breaks. I’ve had some tutors

Within the Clinical Skills Program, doctors act as tutors to small

for the last 11 years. Overall,

groups of students for various modules delivered at a hospital

they really enjoy it, and are

clinical site. Students then spend dedicated time within a

just very thankful.

family practice office for direct mentorship. Depending on the student’s relationship with the physician, they may see their own patients, or see them with the family practitioner/mentor.

The students particularly enjoy the variety of young, new tutors, and some of the

Through experience and role modelling about how they

older, wiser, more experienced

work with patients, tutors also offer a wealth of intangible

tutors. They all bring different

information that doesn’t appear in the curriculum. Students

elements to it, and students

often remark on how important it is for them to learn how

really appreciate both.”

to be doctors.

These tutors and mentors are identified as teaching faculty within the UBC program itself.

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rejuvenated them in ways they

— Dr. Steve Martin

share YOUR

WISDOM.

THE PERFECT BLEND OF

BIG+SMALL

Population: Victoria 80,000 | Greater Victoria 345,000 Home to 18 First Nations + 14,200 Aboriginal people 100 km from Vancouver & Seattle Film & Tech sectors are largest revenue-generating private industries Second oldest Chinatown in North America Known as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Garden Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 35 minutes by float plane or helicopter from downtown Victoria to downtown Vancouver

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“It’s the best of both worlds.”

per cent feel a strong or very strong sense of belonging

— Dr. Melina Thibodeau, GP, Tuscany Medical Clinic

Big city offerings, small town vibe.

“We wanted a city that was big

the Congo, and we were expecting some

“Getting to and from work is very quick. I work with a doctor who lives in Sidney, and he’s able to make it here in 15 minutes or less. There’s not much traffic at that time. In Victoria, we don’t really have a rush hour.”

racism, but we haven’t found any at all. There

— Dr. Heera Bindra

enough, and that had all the opportunities for kids, whether sports, music or schooling.

Victoria is big enough to offer all of those things and a short commute, without being a huge city with all the pollution and traffic.

People probably don’t realize how multicultural Victoria is. Diversity is accepted and celebrated here. I have two adopted children from

are a lot of different nationalities at their school and throughout the city. Everybody seems to be very accepting of other people.

As far as elite athletes go, Victoria is the centre for a lot of national teams. I’m involved in track and field as one of the physicians, and there’s also a swimming centre, rugby, rowing, triathlon, biking. There are all kinds of sports here.”

— Dr. Melina Thibodeau

79% of locals say they rarely or never feel uncomfortable or out of place because of religion, skin colour, culture, race, language, accent, ability, or sexual orientation.

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Play on one of two doctor’s-only hockey teams ANNUAL FESTIVALS & EVENTS • Victoria International JazzFest • Victoria Symphony Splash • Victoria Dragon Boat Festival • Victoria Pride Week • Vancouver Island Blues Bash • Victoria International Busker’s Fest • Rifflandia • Rock the Shores • Aboriginal Cultural Festival • Chinese New Year Celebrations • Victoria Film Festival • Feast, Food & Film • Victoria Beer Week • Victoria International Kite Festival • Food Truck Festival • OUTstages Festival • Victoria International Track Classic • UrbaCity Challenge • Color Vibe 5k • YYJ Eats • The Art of the Cocktail • Ironman Victoria • Vintage Cadillac Car Show • Sooke River Bluegrass Festival • Art & Wine Festival at the Fort • Shakespeare by the Sea • African Cultural Week & AfriCa Fest • Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria • Integrate Arts Festival • The Saanich Fair • Tartan Up! Scotch Single Malt Whisky Fest • Strawberries and Wine • Car-free YYJ • Fernwood Bites • Bed Races on Beacon • Sidney Days • Jubilee Flavour Trail & Wine Fest • Victoria Chalk Festival • Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown • English Car Affair in the Park • IFCon Victoria • Pet-a-Palooza • and much more!

Learn more about festivals and events at tourismvictoria.com/events

Join the SpinDoctors physician cycling club Catch GP musicians playing in Cougar Bait band Join the GP Mama and Baby group

After hours fun.

You’ve worked hard all week, now it’s time for a little fun and relaxation with friends. Thankfully, Victoria’s fixation on protecting work-life balance means we play as hard as we work. Dining out culture dominates the scene, and long, casual dinners often continue into the night over drinks and dancing.

The city’s social calendar is packed with colourful festivals that attract locals and visitors alike. And hundreds of restaurants, lounges, patios, live and electronic music venues, and nightclubs means there’s something to satisfy every quest for fun.

Enjoy affordable local wines (from more than 30 island vineyards) paired with playful tapas plates. Sample a flight (then buy a growler) of local craft beers with friends over gourmet burgers or wings.

“Date night would be going out to eat, and I think for the size of the city there’s a good selection of restaurants.”

— Dr. Janet Mak

Menus brim with delicacies from our sea, such as wild Pacific salmon, prawns, and oysters on the half-shell. Healthy foodists will appreciate Victoria’s penchant for offering up a huge selection of vegetarian, vegan, raw, gluten-free and dairy-free options, including some bistros devoted exclusively to exactly that.

For the global palette, you’ll find an impressive

After a fun night out and a lazy start, you’ll grab a coffee from one of dozens of trendy, hipster roasteries. Then meet friends for a west coast Sunday brunch at a legendary old school diner or trendy hot spot.

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variety of authentic restaurants dedicated to Chinese, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Ukrainian and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Are you ready for some fun, food, festivals, and dancing in this vibrant seaside city?

HOT IN THE

CITY.

IMAGES COURTESY TOURISM VICTORIA

fact FILE.

A few more facts about Victoria.

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Caring for the Earth 98.7% recycle materials

Age of Victoria’s Population 6% 9% 12%

94.8% conserve energy

0–14 15–24 25–64 65–74 75–84 85+

4%

56%

13%

per cent of residents are satisfied with the level of access to arts and cultural opportunities

92.5% reduce waste 89.8% reuse materials 87.6% conserve water 80.0% separate waste 67.9% carpool or car-share 54.0% use alternative transportation

76

per cent perceive their mental health to be very good or excellent

22.9% buy locally produced food Employment by Industry Trade 14.9%

Family physicians

Health Care 14.3%

per 100,000 people (2012)

Public Administration 10.7%

Canada 109

Manufacturing 3.5%

British Columbia 122 Greater Victoria 160 0

50

100

95

150

200

municipally owned public artworks in Greater Victoria, including First Nations art, gateways, mobile displays, monuments, mosaics, murals, paintings, sculptures, siteintegrated artworks, street furniture, and water features.

Facts and figures throughout this booklet about Victoria furnished by the Victoria Foundation, the Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission, and Tourism Victoria.

Construction 6.8%

0

$3 3

6

9

12

15

million = value of high-tech industry

In 2013, Greater Victoria hosted 25 film and television productions, generating $3-million in revenues. In 2014, this industry exceeded $8-million. In April 2015, industry experts predicted it would meet or beat its 2006 record of $18-million.

29

Check out these resources for help in settling and setting up your practice.

Resources B.C. Ministry of Health

Child Care

gov.bc.ca/health

childcarechoices.ca

Doctors of B.C.

City of Victoria

doctorsofbc.ca

victoria.ca

Health Match B.C.

Education

healthmatchbc.org/Physicians.aspx

bit.ly/1yKG3R4

Island Health

Driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Licence

viha.ca

icbc.com/Pages/default.aspx

Canadian Medical Protective Association

Health Insurance

(liability protection) cmpa-acpm.ca

health.gov.bc.ca/insurance

College of Physicians and Surgeons

Housing

of British Columbia

cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/after-housing.asp

(licensure) cpsbc.ca/for-physicians/registration-licensing/applying

Real Estate realtor.ca

Medical Services Plan Billing Number health.gov.bc.ca/exforms/mspprac/2991fil.pdf

Rental Accommodation rentbc.com

Social Insurance Number

victoria.craigslist.ca

servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/sin/index.shtml

usedvictoria.com kijiji.ca/h-victoria-bc

Taxes cra-arc.gc.ca

Travel & Tourism tourismvictoria.com hellobc.com/victoria/things-to-do.aspx

30

A GREA T PLAC

E TO BE

VICTOR

A GP

IA, BC

come explore

Curious about Victoria? Plan your next vacation on the west coast of Canada and see for yourself why our family practitioners love it here.

book a tour

CANADA Whistler

Seattle

USA

Montreal

Contact Division staff to book a tour of the city, attend a Division event Toronto Vancouver

as a guest, meet local physicians, New York and have your questions answered: Washington D.C.

San Francisco

Los Angeles

Helen Welch

VIC TORIA

hwelch@divisionsbc.ca +1.250.507.5494

make victoria your home Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find lots of support for settling

here, and for setting up your practice, through your Victoria Division of Family Practice.

Use the resources in this guide to get you started!

VICTORIA AWAITS YOU...

make your

MOVE. A GP E TO BE T PLAC C A GREA B , RIA

VICTO

Dr. Jody Young and her husband Kris, daughter Emma, and dog Tucker, love to spend time along the waterfront at Macaulay Point Park.

“I definitely have no regrets about moving here...I plan to stay long term to the point of retirement. I think I’ve found the perfect place to live and work.”—Dr. Celeste Just

divisionsbc.ca/victoria victoria@divisionsbc.ca toll-free +1.877.790.8492 f. +1.250.597.0889 facebook.com/VicDivFP PO Box 2488 1745 Cowichan Bay Road Cowichan Bay, B.C. CANADA V0R 1N0 published Spring 2015 photography Dodd’s Eye Media • Nathan Sorochan • Terrance Lam writing & design Crystal Sawyer, Triveni West Communication & Design