Interior doctor recognized for health care contributions

A doctor serving the Interior has been recognized for his contributions to improving the quality of health care in British Columbia.

Dr. Harsh Hundal, Interior Health (I-H) executive director for quality and patient safety, was presented with the 2021 Doug Cochrane Leadership in Quality Award from the B.C. Patient Safety and Quality Council.

Hundal has worked to transform physician culture and engagement in I-H since 2017, with one of his most innovative initiatives being the developing and implementing of the NAVIG8 Emerging Medical Leaders Program.

The in-house physician training program is the only health-authority based medical leadership program recognized by the Canadian Society of Physician leaders.

Other initiatives led by Hundal include the dyad leadership model, which is a partnership between medical staff and administrators to support culture, learning and improved care.

He also spearheaded a plan to support medical leaders in removing anti-Indigenous racism from the medical field.

“Dr. Hundal’s commitment to medical staff engagement and leadership within Interior Health has been a turning point for our organization,” said Dr. Mike Ertel, Interior Health vice president for medicine and quality.

“His vision and passion is inspirational and I am thrilled he has been recognized with this prestigious award.”

I-H posted a short video featuring Hundal after it was announced that he had been named the winner of the award.

Interior Health was also represented in other B.C. Quality Award categories in 2021.

Dr. Glenn McRae, executive director of quality and patient safety, was the runner-up for the Quality Culture Trailblazer Award for his work reinvigorating I-H’s Person-and Family-Centred Care Steering Committee.

First Nations Health Authority, Doctors of B.C. and I-H was also the runner-up for the Strengthening Health and Wellness Award for efforts to develop the Coyote’s Food Medicines short story, a culturally appropriate tool that empowers Indigenous People to discuss managing their medications and supports health-care providers in understanding their patients’ needs and concerns.

“I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the people and teams within Interior Health who were nominated, recognized, or awarded in the 2021 BC Patient Safety and Quality Council Quality Awards,” said Dr. Devin Harris, Interior Health executive medical director for quality, patient safety, research and council chair for the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council.

“This really does highlight the exemplary people and fantastic initiatives in Interior Health.”