​Photo: Jennifer Beaveridge (left) and Brenda Wagner (right), HAMAC Co-Chairs

 ​In June 2021, Dr. Brenda Wagner and Dr. Jennifer Beaveridge were announced as the new co-chairs of the Health Authority Medical Advisory Committee (HAMAC), which oversees the work of medical staff, quality of care, and the development of Medical Staff human resource plans.

Becoming co-chairs of HAMAC was a natural progression of their respective professional journeys. Dr. Wagner is an obstetrician and gynecologist, so is used to a high-risk practice. She's well-versed in the need for clear process and systems, along with the value of quality improvement. Her new role as a HAMAC co-chair, she says is an opportunity to prioritize the importance of the systems which medical staff work within, and how that influences the quality of care given to patients.

Dr. Jennifer Beaveridge, is a Nurse Practitioner who has worked in primary care/community in Vancouver with a focus on vulnerable complex populations for the past sixteen years. Jennifer is passionate about addressing health and social inequities, and ensuring access to quality for all people.  Prior to this new position Jennifer was the Regional Department Head of NPs. Being appointed as a HAMAC co-chair, she says, allows her to step beyond representing only one profession, and to holistically look at the quality of care of all medical staff utilizing her knowledge and experience community. She is passionate about quality care and believes that this role is an opportunity to be proactive about making the changes and leading quality initiatives.

“This is my opportunity to actually work with leaders and medical staff to be the change itself," Dr. Beaveridge says.

They both deeply understand the importance of relationships through listening to the concerns of others, and how that is the catalyst that drives change within an organization.

“We have been asked to create change, and we want to do that within the context of relationship. So Jenn and I are working on our relationship, and we're working on our relationships with all the people we're working with as well. We feel like we're going to be more successful as leaders if we can do that," says Dr. Wagner stated.

This marks the first time that two women have been chosen as HAMAC co-chairs, and both Dr. Wagner and Dr. Beaveridge believe that this is a positive step to creating an environment that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Dr. Beaveridge is also celebrating another milestone in her new role, as the first Nurse Practitioner, non-physician, to be the co-chair of HAMAC. She believes that this will bode well for VCH because it adds a different perspective on the governance and quality of care of medical staff.

 “Each medical staff profession (Nurse practitioners, physicians, Midwives and Dentists) bring a different and unique lens perspective. This is an amazing opportunity for Brenda and I to bring our skills, lenses and expertise together. I think we both have amazing skillsets and they're going to complement each other well," Dr. Beaveridge says.

“I'm hoping that Jennifer and I can provide some mentorship and inspire a diverse group of individual who want to be in leadership," says Dr. Wagner. She also recognizes that there have been some experiences in the workplace where DEI principles have not been prominent. Sharing the role with another woman and an NP will magnify the importance of DEI, hopes Dr. Wagner, as well as demonstrating the leadership opportunities available at VCH.

Having two women from different professions that share the same position adds multiple perspectives and styles of leadership, which is crucial for overseeing all medical staff. They both know that there is a wealth of knowledge and experience in the medical staff at VCH, and are striving to amplify as many voices as possible.