Physicians > Advocacy

Dr. Stephen Tsai,
Advocacy Chair
BC Pediatric Society

BCPS works on behalf of pediatricians in BC to advocate for better health outcomes for children and youth.

Pediatricians have been recognized as effective contributors to provincial advocacy initiatives. Dr. Stephen Tsai, BCPS Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and current BCPS Advocacy Committee Chair, alongside Committee members set our annual Advocacy-related priorities. During 2025 the Advocacy Committee will work with our partners to advocate for reduced Autism Assessment access and wait list times and increased access to psychiatry services.

Committee Members

Dr. Stephen Tsai, Committee Chair
Dr. Edgar Jimenez
Dr. Mandeep Mahal
Dr. Katie Mitchell
Dr. Jessica Nicoll
Dr. James (Jimmy) Wang
Dr. Kaie Rosborough
Dr. Brett Schrewe
Dr. Michelle Sherwood

Current activities of the Advocacy Committee (as at Summer 2025)

Meeting the Milestones – Improving Access to Care for Children with Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Three branches of activity include:

  1. Addressing Issue of Lengthy Autism Assessment WaitlistsWorking with representatives from Sunnyhill Health Centre, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Children and Family Development the committee continues to raise awareness and generate solutions for streamlining Autism assessment processes. The BCPS Economics Committee are advocating for improved patient assessment-related remuneration.
  2. Eliminating the Need for Special Authority Coverage for Long-Acting StimulantsIn partnership with the Doctors of BC, the Advocacy Committee is advocating for streamlined and accelerated processes coverage approval.
  3. Addressing the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access CrisisKey insights have been gathered through a member survey seeking perspectives on the escalating mental health and behavioural crisis among children and youth. There results will be used to shape BCPS advocacy efforts.

BCPS Advocacy Activity

Encouraging Uptake of the HPV Vaccine

The BCPS has some HPV vaccine resources for physicians and families.

Immunization Schedule and Non-Publicly Funded Vaccine Factsheets

The BCPS has some excellent resources for physicians and families in regard to vaccines. For physicians, the BCPS produces an Immunization Schedule and an Immunization Schedule for Children with High Risk Conditions. We also provide resources on Non-Publicly Funded Vaccines.

Advocacy Partnerships

We are strengthening our partnership with Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) to support our common interests. A CPS representative attends all BCPS Board of Directors meetings to ensure a two-way flow of timely information.