Credit for Image: OurPark, www.ourparkonline.com - Artist Racheal Meckling, www.rachaelmeckling.com
DEI committee working to #BreakTheBias
Contributor: Jill Lunde, Communications Lead, Vancouver Physician Staff Association
For the fourth straight year, the VCH Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is working to highlight women medical staff and their extraordinary contributions to our health authority on International Women's Day—March 8. Led by VCH DEI International Women's Day 2022 Chair, Dr. Helen Kwoo, committee members are promoting this year's theme of Break the Bias.
Keynote speaker Dr. Golnaz Golnaraghi will tackle the issue head on with her presentation on March 8. The award-winning leadership and equity and inclusion expert will examine ways we can challenge gender inequality in health care. All VCH medical staff are encouraged to register for the evening event here. In addition, Dr. Golnaraghi will facilitate an interactive skills-building workshop with women physicians on April 13.
“We want to encourage our colleagues to explore why breaking biases is imperative for women in the workplace and to examine the negative impacts of bias," said Dr. Kwoo. “Our session with Dr. Golnaraghi will identify strategies for recognizing and combatting bias as well as explore allyship mindsets and behaviours needed for dismantling inequality and addressing structural changes."
As in past years, the committee is also highlighting the contributions of seven of the thousands of incredible women who make up our medical staff. VCH leaders were asked to consider and nominate women who have made contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout their careers through clinical care, research, leadership, and education.
The women profiled this year are:
Ms. Bonnie Giovannetti 
Nurse Practitioner, Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplant, Vancouver Acute
Bonnie's nurse practitioner career saw her working initially in neurosurgery, then as lead NP for VGH, and currently with thoracic surgery and lung transplant. She is an adult care NP and holds a Bachelor's degree in science and a Master's degree in nursing. She is working towards her doctorate. More....
Dr. Eliza Chan 
Emergency Medicine, Richmond Hospital
Dr. Chan believes in being a strong, compassionate clinician, a mentor, an advocate, and a leader for change. Her medical practice has spanned over 30 years, including various community and hospital settings. More....
Dr. Erika Cheng 
Family Physician, Bella Coola
Dr. Cheng
is a family physician working in hospital, emergency, and clinical services for
the past 28 years. Most of her work has been in Bella Coola. For seven years,
she was the area’s local medical director during which time she developed
relationships with the local First Nations Band (the Nuxalk Nation). She also
led local medical responses through multiple crises including a forest fire
within the community, severe physician shortages, accreditation processes, and
the transition from United Church Health Services to VCH governance. More ....
Ms. Lana Moroz 
Nurse Practitioner, Atrial Fibrillation Clinic, Vancouver Acute
Lana Moroz, a graduate of the UBC Master of Science in Nursing / Family Nurse Practitioner program is the NP in the Atrial Fibrillation Clinic at VGH where she supervises, collaborates and provides care to patients with complex medical needs in a culturally sensitive and patient centred approach. More ....
Dr. Melanie Altas 
Gynaecologist, Vancouver Acute
Dr. Altas is the Director of the BC Centre for Vulvar Health at VCH. Originally from the Maritimes, Dr. Altas finished residency in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at UBC in 2007. A gynaecologist at VCH and a sexual medicine consultant at the BC Cancer Agency, her current clinical practice is dedicated to cancer survivorship, menopause, and sexual pain disorders. More ....
Dr. Rashmi Chadha 
Family Physician, Vancouver Community
Dr.
Chadha is a consulting physician with VGH’s Complex Pain and Addiction Service and
a clinical assistant professor in UBC’s Department
of Family Practice.
Dr. Chadha came to her current roles via a two-decade career that began as a
family doctor in rural England. More ....
Dr. Susan Kuo 
Family Physician, Richmond
Dr. Kuo has been a family doctor in Richmond since 1993, working in the city's hospital as well as in long-term care. She has also taught the UBC family medicine 411/412 course since 2007 and mentored many students even after they finished the course. More ....
“The accomplishments of these women are remarkable, and I encourage everyone to read their inspiring stories," added Dr. Kwoo.
A special shout out to Dr. Cyrus McEachern, a wonderful photographer and member of the VCH DEI Committee, who took many of the photos of the women profiled this year.
International Women's Day is just one of many projects the VCH DEI Committee has undertaken to highlight the need for and importance of moving toward more diversity and equity in medical leadership within our health authority.
