Some Maple Ridge doctors have been called out for going above and beyond in their service to the community, with the two physicians recently being given awards by the Ridge Meadows Division of Family Practice.
Every year, the Ridge Meadows Division of Family Practice gives out a Division Member Excellence Award to a local physician who has made a significant impact in the medical community, explained executive director Treena Innes.
This year, the award recipient was Dr. Liz Zubek of Shepherd's Hill Medical Centre.
"At the division, we have an enormous amount of work to do to help the community with healthcare and help patients have better access to physicians and services," said Innes.
"Dr. Liz Zubek shows up and makes change for the patients behind the scenes of what you would see in the forefront. Liz has been a great example to all of the physicians in our community for showing up and putting her muscle into all of the change that is needed."
Dr. Zubek said while she is incredibly honoured to receive the award, it is the division team that really deserves the recognition within the community.
"I am so appreciative of the division," said Zubek. "If I come up with an idea like we need to do an autism project or need something for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, they get behind it and make things happen and everybody works together."
A second brand-new award was also handed out this year, called the Hospitalist Division Member Excellence Award, which is specifically meant to celebrate physicians who work in a hospital setting.
The inaugural winner of this award was Dr. Scott Tancon of Ridge Meadows Hospital.
Division board chair Dr. Melodie Prem-Smith explained that having these awards allows the organization to honour medical professionals who put their blood, sweat, and tears into helping those in the community.
"The awards give us a chance to pause and recognize the outstanding work of all our family physicians," said Prem-Smith. "We need to take time to pause and celebrate in this system where we're often overworked and always struggling."