March 11 is Canadian Women Physicians Day, a day to honour and celebrate the essential contributions of women physicians to our healthcare system. In British Columbia, over half of family doctors are women, and at BCCFP, we are deeply appreciative of their expertise and dedication to fostering healthy communities throughout the province.
To gain insights into their experiences and aspirations for family medicine, we invited women from our board to share their stories. Their reflections illuminate the inspirations that drive their work and their passion for family medicine.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all women in family medicine for their invaluable contributions, steadfast commitment to longitudinal care, and roles as leaders and mentors for future generations of family doctors.
By amplifying their voices, we aim to inspire a future where women physicians continue to thrive and lead in family medicine.
Dr. Julia Vander Heiden
On Canadian Women Physician’s Day, I reflect on the journey that has brought me to this point in my career as a first-year family medicine resident living and training in beautiful Campbell River, BC. Medicine is a field that demands resilience, compassion, and adaptability—qualities that I have seen exemplified by the incredible women who have come before me. I am continually inspired by my mentors, colleagues, and patients, who remind me daily why I chose this path.
I have wanted to be a family physician for as long as I can remember. My passion for rural, full-scope family medicine has only grown as I have immersed myself in the communities I work to serve. Family medicine is built on relationships—between physician and patient, between colleagues, and between medicine and the broader community. It is this deep connection to people and place that inspires me.
What I love most about my work is the continuity of care and the relationships I build with patients. The ability to walk alongside individuals and families through moments of joy, uncertainty, and hardship is an immense privilege. Whether it is delivering a baby, managing chronic disease, or supporting someone at the end of life, I cherish the trust that develops over time. The interconnectedness of rural medicine means that every encounter is meaningful—not just for the individual patient, but for the broader community.
As I look toward the future of family medicine, I hope to see continued progress in equity, accessibility, and sustainability within the healthcare system. Family physicians play an essential role in keeping communities healthy, yet our profession faces increasing pressures. I hope for a future where family medicine is valued and supported, where physician wellness is prioritized, and where healthcare is truly inclusive and patient-centered. I am optimistic that, with advocacy and collaboration, we can build a system that empowers both physicians and patients alike.
Today, I celebrate the resilience and dedication of women in medicine and remain committed to fostering strong, healthy communities through the power of family medicine.
Dr. Amyna Fidai
The path to becoming a physician, finding your calling within medicine, exploring different types of work to determine where you fit in, where you can continue your learning and grow as a person and as a physician, is a daunting journey. The journey feels worthwhile when you finally get to do the type of work you enjoy, surrounded by people you enjoy working with, and see the difference you are making in peoples’ lives. As a woman in medicine, there were challenges I encountered and I know that the path forward will not be without limitations. At times, you feel the need to prove yourself to be able to have access to the same opportunities as everyone else. The culture in medicine is changing but working as a woman in medicine, I anticipate that I will have a more difficult time striving for a balance between my personal and professional life.
The feeling of imposter syndrome is constant when you are trying to find your ground in the vast field of medicine. What makes this journey a little less intimidating is being surrounded by supportive mentors. I feel grateful to have been mentored by many inspiring individuals along the way who have shaped the person and physician I have become. It has been inspiring to see women in medicine taking on more leadership roles, and women in medicine coming together to support and motivate each other, lean on one another, bring more transparency to the struggles they faced and offer their wisdom and solutions to overcome these challenges.
I am grateful to be working as a family doctor because it allows me to connect with my patients, learn about the intricacies of their lives and work with them to address some of the challenges affecting their function. My hope for the future of family medicine is for patients to have better access to a family doctor, for real-time information exchange throughout the healthcare system, for promotion of team-based care, and for family doctors to be compensated appropriately for their work and their time so that they can continue to serve our populations while maintaining a balance between their personal and professional lives.
Dr. Nooshin Nikoo
I am inspired by seeing that I am able to take care of my loved ones diligently and sufficiently. I find purpose in being conscious of and ability to act on a purpose in my life, which is to love and serve to the best of my ability.
As a family physician, I am moved to be able to serve my colleagues and my patients to the best of my ability. I am committed to bringing joy to people, both my peers and our patients. I take joy when able to utilize fundamentals of compassionate care on the front lines of the healthcare system, day in and day out. By practicing comprehensive care, I am truly fulfilled by my work in family medicine.
My hope for the future of family medicine is that family physicians are well taken care of – in a way that is equitable. Family medicine should become a sustainable practice, so that we may continue to sustain our service to our communities towards health for all.
