The Minister of Health of British Columbia, Dr. Terry Lake, says he is pleased that his province was selected to host the 23rd World Congress of Dermatology.
"An event of this calibre brings together the best and brightest in the field and we are looking forward to hosting them here in our province," Dr. Lake wrote to DERM.city in an email. “Hosting this event in the province makes it more accessible for local practitioners and students to attend, and it also raises the profile of the specialty within the province to help attract students to the specialty.
He continues, “events like these also give b.c. an opportunity to showcase our province and our high quality health care system. b.c. is a fantastic place to live and work, but we recognize that highly trained specialists—like dermatologists—are in high demand and there are jurisdictions around the world looking to recruit.”
He added that hosting an event like the WCD lets dermatologists and other health care practitioners see firsthand how beautiful and competitive British Columbia can be, and perhaps encourage them to think about bringing their skills to the province.
Dr. Lake, a veterinarian, notes that large international conferences are important for physicians because it provides them with an opportunity to share their work and new discoveries.
“Medicine is a field that is constantly evolving, and by having the opportunity to speak with colleagues doing the same kind of work as you, is extremely helpful for staying current,” he says. “Conferences also allow practitioners to network with peers creating opportunities to connect with other specialists with whom they can consult on cases requiring key areas of specialization.”
Areas of B.C. are actively seeking dermatologists
Dr. Lake suggests visiting dermatologists explore many locations in Vancouver such as Stanley Park, the Seawall, and Grouse Mountain. “I would also encourage delegates to discover areas outside of Vancouver. The world renowned Whistler resort is only a short drive away on the new Sea to Sky Highway and our province’s charming capital is only a short ferry ride away on b.c. Ferries.”
Other recommendations for tourism made by the Minister of Health include exploring smaller communities in the province and the islands, which he says offer a “charm you cannot find anywhere else.” He particularly makes a note for delegates to venture to his hometown of Kamloops or areas like Prince George that are actively seeking dermatologists.
Question: have you visited any of Dr. Lake's recommendations? Tell us what you think about these Vancouver hot spots by emailing us or tweeting @dermcity