News Archive

VELIA ALTAMIRA VAZQUEZ
POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION MANAGER (INTERIM)

Site:
Vancouver – Diamond Health Care Centre

Velia Altamira Vazquez, Postgraduate Education Program Manager (Interim) with UBC’s Department of Emergency Medicine.

How long have you worked in the department or with UBC?

I started working at UBC back in 2018 and recently joined the Department of Emergency Medicine in January 2023. It has only been three months and counting.

Can you summarize what you do in the department?  

As the Postgraduate Education Program Manager (Interim), my role is to oversee the Emergency Medicine Residency program (RCPSC-EM) and support the administrative team across sites. I work closely with the Program Director and Associate Program Directors to provide administrative support to ensure the residency program is running smoothly. A couple major pieces are overseeing the CaRMS process, Academic Day planning, and program finances. A big part of my role involves project management.

What is your favourite thing about working in the department?

There are too many things I am loving about this role. For example, I love how this residency program embraces quality assurance and looks for ways to improve processes and better serve its resident. I enjoy the ever-changing environment and continuing to look for new ways to improve our process.

And, of course, the humans on the team. I am new to postgraduate education and the admin team has been truly welcoming and generous in sharing their expertise; and the doctors on the leadership team are just amazing. I am in awe of the leadership team as these are all EM doctors working in EDs across the province that also devote time to educating the next generation of EM doctors. That’s a lot! Their commitment and energy is contagious and an inspiration to contribute back to the community in whatever way I can. If you ask me to choose one, then it’s the team.

What is one interesting fact about you that people may not know?

My family owns a bat cave. Or rather, my parents’ ranch in Mexico has a cave on it that is full of bats. I don’t know much more about the cave, because of the bats in it.

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?

I care deeply about EDI and I am currently completing a certificate. I also care deeply about making Latin culture more accessible and am joining the board of the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre.

ELIZABETH STACY
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR


Site:
Vancouver – Diamond Health Care Centre

• Twitter

Elizabeth Stacy, Operations Director with the BC Emergency Medicine Network.

How long have you worked in the department or with UBC?

I started working in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC in 2004. In 2018 we moved to Washington DC for a couple of years (cut short by COVID), and when we came home, I was lucky enough to start up at UBC again in 2021.

Can you summarize what you do in the department?  

My focus is on community-engaged health research, Indigenous reconciliation work, and health education.
Currently, I am the Operations Director at the BC Emergency Medicine Network (EMN), and in my role I ensure the smooth functioning of the Network. At the EMN, we develop accessible and trusted clinical resources, support sharing of resources, tools, and advice, and advocate for emergency practitioners. We connect emergency care providers and patients across BC so they can share knowledge and support each other to deliver better care. And, among other things, we support scientific innovations and real-time virtual support programs, while providing evidence and experience-based input on policy development.

What is your favourite thing about working in the department?

I’ve really enjoyed all the opportunities to learn new things, meet new people, and work on creative and impactful programs. It’s been a pleasure to be surrounded by people with such rich experiences and expertise who mentor and support others to grow. I get to work with so many amazing people, and I’ve developed a lot of strong relationships that I really value. I also really appreciate the importance that’s placed on growth and learning through an ever-expanding suite of training, webinars, and other professional development education to allow us to keep open minds to new things.

What is one interesting fact about you that people may not know?

I was an exchange student right after high school, and had the incredible fortune to live in the Czech Republic (now Czechia) for one year. Funnily enough, my cohort was the first to be sent to that country after the fall of communism! Coming from a smaller town in BC, it was quite something to be afforded the opportunity to become very independently sufficient very quickly, learn another language and travel extensively at the ripe old age of 17.

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?

I love to cook and eat (I did a stagier for a few weeks to try it out in a professional kitchen!), and I love to travel. I also have a fun and very busy 10 year old and a new dog, so there’s always a lot happening in our house!