A Connected Approach
to Health and Care
We work to ensure everyone in our communities can reach their full health potential. By fostering partnerships, driving innovation, and delivering team-based care, we connect providers, organizations, and cultural leaders to address Cowichan Valley’s unique health needs and close gaps in culturally safe, patient-centered care.
Strategy Our Guiding Vision
People reach their full health potential because we have strong, connected teams and we are all dedicated to people’s cultural, mental, spiritual, emotional and physical well-being.
To close the gaps in primary care access because many people in Cowichan, including those in vulnerable circumstances or with complex health needs, are without a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
We will build on local ideas and strengths through inclusion, communication and coordination. This happens through a connected, team-based, and patient-centred approach that brings together local partners to collaborate on new ways of addressing our region’s most pressing primary care challenges.
- Patient, Family, & Community Patients feel attached to a team of providers that is focused on their care. The Network enables a seamless and positive patient journey and enhances patient, family, and community experience.
- Cultural Safety Patients feel safe when they receive services from providers within the Network. Providers recognize and respect differences, while striving to address inherent power imbalances.
Cultural Humility Providers within the network are supported to engage in continuous, life-long learning and self-reflection, striving to understand personal and systemic biases and develop a broad range of relationships to assist in provision of care. - Community of Care Patients have access to a range of health and wellness. services, experiencing a stronger link between primary care and services that address social determinants of health. Quality improvement processes will continuously seek to strengthen communication and collaboration across providers
- Great Place to Work & Learn Care providers thrive in their work. They act as an integrated team utilizing clear communication pathways; and they feel supported to provide the best possible care (education, training, team & peer support). Providers from diverse cultural backgrounds feel safe working in the Network.
- Wise & Quality Driven Care Best current evidence, including Indigenous wisdom and worldviews, guides decisions and provides accountability. Access to high quality, safe care and services is equitable for all in the Cowichan Communities.
- Sustainability The Network provides an attractive workplace environment that supports recruitment and retention of an engaged workforce. An integrated continuum of care ensures the right care is provided in the right place, enhancing efficient patient flow and operational cost efficiency, and offering the greatest possible value to patients within available funding.
- Innovation The creation and implementation of the Network will build on the innovative ideas and strengths within the Cowichan communities. With our providers, patients and community, we will explore innovative care options, be curious, and ask questions
Our work is guided by the globally recognized Quintuple Aim, which ensures we prioritize both patients and providers.
- Improving the patient experience of care
- Advancing health equity
- Improving population health
- Improving the healthcare provider experience
- Applying sustainable solutions
Accountability How We Stay Aligned and Transparent
The Cowichan PCN Steering Committee provides strategic direction for implementing and sustaining the Cowichan PCN in alignment within the spirit and goals of the PCN Service Plan. Members include:
- Three First Nations representatives
- One Métis Nation representative
- One Inuit representative
- Three Island Health representatives
- Three representatives from the Cowichan Division of Family Practice
- One patient partner
This strategic governance committee delegates day-to-day operational responsibilities to the Cowichan PCN Director, Medical Director, and First Nations, Métis, Inuit Strategic Lead. The committee meets formally four times per year, with ad hoc meetings as needed. Decisions are informed by family physician and nurse practitioner advisors, a First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Advisory, and community.
The Advisory Group includes First Nations, Métis, and Inuit partners who guide the PCN’s strategic direction and its relationships with local Indigenous organizations. Supported by the PCN First Nations, Métis and Inuit Lead, this group raises local priorities relevant to the PCN’s work and fosters partnerships and improving services for First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.
Our Governors bring diverse perspectives and expertise to guide the Cowichan PCN.
- Island Health Authority: Emma James, Dr. Kelsey Kozoriz, Kristy Schaffer-Blood
- First Nations/Métis/Inuit Representatives: Anna Martin, Cowichan Tribes; Jennifer Jones, Rural and Remote First Nations; Destinée Barrow, Métis Nation; Tanille Johnson, First Nations Health Authority; Inuit representative (vacant)
- Cowichan Division of Family Practice: Tiffiny Littmann/Jennifer Berg, Dr. Carole Williams, Physician Co-Lead (vacant)
The operational leadership of the Cowichan PCN is entrusted to the Director, Medical Director, and First Nations/Métis/Inuit Lead. Together, they manage the PCN’s services, networking, and operations.