Public Health Association of BC Public Health Association of BC

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PHABC’s response to BC Budget 2024

Posted on March 21, 2024

Compassion, innovation and collaboration advance public health in the province

 

Summary

  • PHABC applauds BC Budget 2024 for recognizing and acting on urgent public health matters.
  • PHABC also acknowledges the Province’s progressive new initiatives, including the anti-hate community support fund, the Intimate Images Protection Service, and the upcoming publicly funded IVF program.
  • PHABC’s recent 70th year gala recognized public health non-profits and associated organizations as vital to public health advancements. PHABC commends the budget for investing in public health.

 

Victoria, B.C., March 21, 2024 – The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) applauds BC Budget 2024 for recognizing and acting on urgent public health matters. As a province, we are collectively experiencing the ongoing impacts of an aging workforce, increasing cost of living, mental health crisis, and hate crimes. PHABC commends the Province for providing vital investments in these areas.

“Multiple measures have been taken to address equity concerns that will lay the groundwork for well-being and safe communities,” said Shannon Turner, PHABC’s Executive Director. “The ongoing investments in climate action, sustainable job growth, mental health, addictions, and the housing crisis are just a few examples of investments in a healthy province.”

PHABC also acknowledges the Province’s progressive new initiatives, including:

  • the anti-hate community support fund, which was introduced in response to the Anti-Racism Data Act;
  • the recently launched Intimate Images Protection Service, which is a step forward towards equity concerning gender, sexuality, youth, and the ever-transforming digital landscape;
  • and the upcoming publicly funded IVF program, which recognizes the evolving family structure and barriers to access fertility options.

PHABC values and practices collaboration, innovation and compassion through all of our intersectoral work, which is further highlighted by our strong partnerships and network. Recently, we honoured several of our community partners through our annual awards, which was showcased at our 70th anniversary gala.

“Public health non-profits and associated organizations are vital to the strategic direction, implementation and ongoing efforts of public health advancements, which are reflected in the 2024 BC Budget investments,” Turner emphasized.

PHABC’s 2023 organizational award recipients include the Health Officers Council of BC, the Vancouver Coastal Health public policy team, Rethink Urban, and United Way BC. These organizations demonstrate commitment to community development, equitable practices, and public health promotion.

As a member-driven organization, PHABC fulfills our mission through advocacy, collaboration and engagement activities, education, and research throughout the spectrum of public health practice and systems including prevention, promotion, protection and policy. These collaborative efforts are proven worthwhile through the budget’s progressive public health investments.

 

Shannon Turner
Executive Director
Public Health Association of BC

 

Conference 2023: Thank You and Survey

Posted on December 4, 2023

Thank you for attending our gala and conference!

The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) extends our heartfelt THANK YOU to all gala and conference attendees, presenters, and volunteers. Your presence and engagement further activates and enhances our collective commitment to a fair and healthy British Columbia for all.

We want to offer our utmost gratitude to the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia; Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer of British Columbia; and André Picard, Health Columnist, The Globe and Mail. Their dedication to advancing health, well-being and equity through their leadership in public health aligns with PHABC’s mission statement. We are honoured to have featured them at our gala, 70 Years Forward.

Please note that all gala and conference photos and slideshows will be shared in the coming weeks, as PHABC’s team consolidates and prepares the assets for circulation.

Please continue to follow #PHABCCon23 on social media to re-live and appreciate conference speakers and presentations.

Public health and digital equity is just a sample of what the future offers. PHABC will continue to provide exemplary professional development opportunities to support public health growth within the province and beyond.

 

Take the Survey

Thank you again for attending our gala and conference! PHABC would greatly appreciate your feedback and insights to ensure we can continue to provide events that strengthen the public health community.

Complete the survey by December 16th to enter to win a complimentary registration to our 2024 conference.

Take the Survey Now

 

Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors!

Our conference is only possible thanks to the continued efforts of numerous volunteers and the support of various partners and sponsors. We want to specially highlight the Ministry of Health as a platinum sponsor.

PHABC’s professional development work strengthens essential knowledge and skills required of public health professionals and provides us with the opportunity to proactively respond to the educational needs of the public health workforce.

Our conference topic, Public Health and Equity in the Digital Age, aims to invigorate public health practice, education and research towards a healthy, just and sustainable digital ecology. As a sponsors for this event, we recognize our partners as champions for a digitally equitable and constructive future.

 

 

Transforming Wellbeing at Work: From the Personal to the Collective

Posted on November 29, 2023

In 2021, Bridge for Health Cooperative and the Public Health Association of BC were the recipients of a Develop Grant through Vancouver Foundation in support of our project titled At the Intersection of Service Provider Wellbeing and Equity in Healthcare and Social Services Systems Transformation.

We were funded to continue this work through a Momentum Grant with Vancouver Foundation in 2023, resulting in the development of our current pilot project titled Transforming Wellbeing at Work: From the Personal to the Collective. The pilot project continues to focus on the healthcare and social services sector and includes the development of 7 learning modules (5-thirty minute asynchronous delivery) with 7 one-hour live sessions over the course of the project (all on zoom).

We are seeking health and social service providers to participate in this pilot project with us from mid-January  – end of February, 2024 (specific dates to be announced). We have space allocated for 10 participants and can offer a $250.00 honorarium at the end of the pilot to thank you for your participation. Your input and feedback will be important to ensure we are creating a high-quality learning experience.

Criteria for participation includes:

  •  Current direct service position in healthcare/social services 
  • Commitment to engage in the entire duration of the project including all scheduled sessions.
  • Willingness to offer feedback and insights about the content and learning delivery process, through an online short survey to be sent out after each session.

If you or someone you know are interested in this opportunity, please connect with Elizabeth Bishop (Project Co-Lead) at eabishop46@gmail.com.

Thank you for your consideration!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Bishop PhD (candidate)

Paola Ardiles Gamboa PhD

Conference 2023: Just released – draft program at a glance

Posted on November 1, 2023

 

Just released: draft program at a glance

We have been working diligently at designing an interactive and enlightening two-day conference, and we’re thrilled to share the draft program at a glance with everyone!

The draft program will primarily highlight the conference agenda, including featured speakers, workshops, oral presentations and posters.

Download the draft program

 

70 Years Forward: You’re Invited to PHABC’s Gala

The Public Health Association of British Columbia (PHABC) is thrilled to invite you to our 70th Anniversary Gala Dinner, a momentous occasion celebrating seven decades of dedicated service to public health.

We are pleased to welcome André Picard and Dr. Bonnie Henry as gala guest speakers. André Picard is one of Canada’s top health and public policy observers and commentators. He is also the author of numerous books and has received much acclaim for his writing and for his dedication to improving healthcare, including earning him the National Newspaper Award as Canada’s top newspaper columnist.

Dr. Bonnie Henry was appointed as Provincial Health Officer for the Province of BC in 2018. As BC’s most senior public health official, Dr. Henry is responsible for monitoring the health of all British Columbians and undertaking measures for disease prevention and control and health protection.

Join us for an evening of elegance and reflection as we honor our past and set our sights on the next 70 years of advancing public health in British Columbia.

Register Now

 

Gala Details

Dates: November 20th
Venue: Sutton Place Hotel
Address: 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver

Learn More

 

#PHABCCon23: About the Conference

Join us in celebrating our 70th anniversary by attending this year’s conference, “Public Health and Equity in the Digital Age.”

As digital advancements shape the way health information is accessed, shared, and utilized, understanding the implications for equitable health outcomes becomes paramount.

This conference provides a timely platform to dissect these intricacies and equip practitioners with the insights needed to navigate the evolving landscape of health in the digital age.

Register Now

 

Conference Details

Dates: November 21st and 22nd
Venue: Sutton Place Hotel
Address: 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver

Learn More

 

Promotional Toolkit

PHABC turns to our vast network of public health partners to further promote our 2023 conference and gala.

Click on the links to access the promotional material.

Social Media Toolkit

Newsletter Toolkit

 

Become a Sponsor

Our conference is only possible thanks to the continued efforts of numerous volunteers and the support of various partners and sponsors.

As a sponsor for this event, your organization can contribute to a digitally equitable and constructive future.

If you are interested in sponsoring the PHABC conference, or if you would like more information about the details of our request, contact us at conference@phabc.org.

 

Volunteer at the Conference

Calling volunteers for our 2023 conference and gala dinner! Volunteers work a total of eight hours in exchange for free conference registration.

There are limited spots available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to us at conference@phabc.org.

 

PHABC Awards

Do you know someone or an organization in the public health community whose hard work and dedication deserves recognition? Nominate them for a PHABC award!

We accept nominations year-round for outstanding individuals and organizations. This year’s deadline for the 2023 awards is October 28th, 2023.

Any nominations submitted after the deadline will be considered for the 2024 PHABC Awards.

PHABC Awards

Nomination Form