Award recipients receive $2,500 grants to support ongoing learning related to their projects

On February 21, First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) CEO Joe Gallagher and the FNHA Telehealth Expansion Project were among the 2018 Quality Award winners honoured by the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council (BCPSQC). The awards ceremony was held during the popular Health Talks evening during Quality Forum 2018 in Vancouver, BC. Awards were presented by Christina Krause, Executive Director, BCPSQC, and Dr. Doug Cochrane, Chair & Provincial Patient Safety & Quality Officer for the BCPSQC.

The Telehealth Expansion Project was honoured with a Staying Healthy Award for supporting 45 rural and remote First Nations communities to build capacity and bring culturally relevant care closer to home through telehealth technology. FNHA's Eyrin Tedesco and Esther Chan attended the ceremony to accept the award on behalf of the Telehealth team. Joe Gallagher was honoured with the Leadership in Quality Award for his outstanding leadership in advancing cultural safety and humility to improve the quality of care for BC First Nations.

Award nominations were adjudicated by a panel of leaders in quality and patient safety as well as members and staff of BCPSQC. These awards mark major achievements in transformational change and quality improvement across our province. Award recipients receive $2,500 grants to promote and support ongoing learning and development related to the winning projects.

The Quality Awards have been presented annually by BCPSQC since 2009. Each year, the award categories celebrate projects within the four areas of care as well as four inspiring individuals who changed health care for the better.