Chilliwack physicians step up to drive health-system improvements
Division leadership roles offer opportunities to shape local health care
By Mari-Len De Guzman
The Chilliwack Division of Family Practice believes in empowering community physicians and nurse practitioners to help shape the future of health care in Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope. One way the Division is delivering this mission is through leadership opportunities that allow frontline clinicians to spearhead innovative programs, improve system efficiencies, and mentor their peers.
Meet two current physician leaders who are carving their path in innovative leadership, bridging systemic gaps and driving health-system improvements.
Driving innovation in dementia care
Dr. Abimbola Dada
As the project lead physician for the Dementia Roadmap initiative, Dr. Abimbola Dada has taken the helm of a transformative, dual-track program across long-term-care facilities in the community.
Launched to reduce the hidden trauma of preventable emergency room transfers for dementia patients, Dada’s leadership has focused on empowering both frontline staff and educating patient families.
Under her guidance, the project integrated standardized clinical toolkits directly into point-of-care workflows. The program’s impact is clear: frontline staff reported a 58 per cent increase in confidence in clinical decision-making, shifting care from reactive hospital transfers to proactive, resident-centered care.
“We know that there is no cure for dementia and our focus, basically, is end-of-life comfort care,” Dada says. “In the end, the benefits (of hospital transfer) do not outweigh the risks for dementia patients.”
Dada is driving the project’s sustainability by establishing internal facility “champions” to maintain peer-to-peer mentorship and training.
Building bridges
Dr. Perry Tompkins
In acute care, Dr. Perry Tompkins has stepped into a vital leadership role as the lead physician for Chilliwack’s Community Family Physicians In-patient Care program. Aimed at bridging communication and coordination gaps between community and hospital patient care, Tompkins advocates for family doctors who balance responsibilities in both environments.
Tompkins’ leadership ensures family doctors have a seat at the table alongside hospital specialists, giving voice to family physicians who, like him, keep one foot in both worlds to ensure their patients don’t get lost in the transition.
His leadership helps preserve continuity of care, which reduces redundant hospital testing, improves systemic efficiency, and provides patients with a smoother hospital journey.
“At the end of the day, when you get good results and the patient feels like they’ve been looked after, you get a sense of satisfaction from that.”
Shaping the future of health care
Through these leadership roles, Dada and Tompkins are stepping up to help address enduring health-care challenges.
These physicians are only two examples of how Division members are actively building and shaping a more sustainable and resilient health-care system, with leadership support from the Division.
Are you a family physician or nurse practitioner in Chilliwack, Hope and Agassiz who’s interested in taking on leadership roles in our community? Contact Divya Reddy at [email protected] to learn how.
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