Get to know Dr. John Pawlovich, the family doctor leading the way toward equitable access to high-quality health care for all British Columbians
Everyone in British Columbia (B.C.) deserves equitable access to high-quality health care, regardless of where they live.
Across our vast and diverse province, residents of rural, remote and First Nations communities face challenges accessing necessary health care providers, specialist physicians and health care services (laboratory, pharmacy, supplies) close to home.
A graduate of UBC’s medical program and clinical professor in the department of family practice, Dr. Pawlovich, MD’94 is the Rural Doctors’ UBC Chair in Rural Health. Also the medical director for Carrier Sekani Family Services, he provides medical care to several Indigenous communities, including Takla Landing located approximately 400 km north of Prince George.
Dr. Pawlovich is a compassionate family physician, respected mentor of medical students, residents and physicians, and innovator in the thoughtful integration of technology into rural, remote and First Nations communities to improve equity and access to health care.
Dr. Pawlovich’s body of work has positioned him to advance the activities of the Rural Doctors’ UBC Chair in Rural Health, including research driven by rural priorities and partnerships, advocacy for educational opportunities in rural medicine and inclusion of rural perspectives in decision-making, and mentorship/support for rural medical residents and doctors.
In the next 10 years, I would like to see enhanced access to services for patients in rural and remote communities. That is to say, more access to a family physician, more access to specialist care, no community goes without high-quality access to health care that they all deserve.
Dr. John Pawlovich, Rural Doctors’ UBC Chair in Rural Health
The Rural Doctors’ UBC Chair in Rural Health was established through the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues, a partnership between the B.C. Ministry of Health and Doctors of BC. This committee will match every dollar raised to expand support for the activities of the chair.
Philanthropy is enabling the Rural Doctors’ UBC Chair in Rural Health to help advance equitable access to health services and improve the health outcomes of British Columbians living in rural, remote and First Nations communities.
To learn more about the Rural Doctors’ UBC Chair in Rural Health, please contact Stephanie Cardwell at stephanie.cardwell@ubc.ca.
