North Peace Division of Family Practice member Dr Paul Mackey received the College of Family Physicians of Canada’s prestigious 2013 Award of Excellence for his contributions to rural family medicine. In addition to running a busy family practice in Fort St. John since 1995, Dr Mackey is a GP anesthetist and obstetrician, and, until recently, he provided ER coverage. He was a provincial leader in patient self-management and the first GP in Fort St. John to hold a group medical appointment. As site director for the Peace Liard Family Medicine Residency Program since its inception in 2008, he has been instrumental in training and recruiting rural doctors. Dr Mackey is also known for his professional leadership to his peers, serving on the Rural Issues Committee of Doctors of BC for 14 years, and he was instrumental in guiding his colleagues toward the installation of an office electronic medical records system.

Founding member and lead of the Cowichan Valley Division of Family Practice, Dr Tom Rimmer was named BC’s Family Physician of the Year for 2013 by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Since 2000 Dr Rimmer has run a full-service family practice in Duncan, caring for about 2500 patients. He is a clinical instructor in UBC’s Department of Family Practice, has trained doctors to deliver the Practice Support Program’s Adult Mental Health learning module, and has supported others in the switch to electronic records. He was instrumental in the Division’s establishment in 2011 of a much-needed maternity clinic run by nine physicians and a hospital-care program.

The Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding family physicians from across Canada in categories such as rural family physician, community family physician, teacher, researcher, and excellence in contribution.

The BC Family Physician of the Year award recognizes doctors who demonstrate outstanding patient care, significant contributions to the health and well-being of their community, and commitment to family medicine, teaching, and research.

Congratulations Drs Mackey and Rimmer.