Vishal Bhella

Academic Family Physician with the University of Calgary Deparment of Family Medicine. Current President of the Alberta College of Family Physicians

[UCalgary Family Medicine @UCalgaryFamMed]

We’re wrapping up our week of celebrating women today, by introducing you to a few more of DFM’s superstar women leaders! Meet Dr. Divya Garg @DrDivyaGarg – the Site Medical Lead for our South Health Campus Family Medicine Teaching Centre. #IWD2021 #WomenDocsCAN

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@SMHernande @AlikaMD @DrMakokis @DrMichaelG1 @DrNoelGrisdale @CMA_Docs @KimKellyMD Appreciated the opportunity to have this conversation with the other @CMA_Docs President-Elect candidates tonight. Thank you to both of you (@SMHernande and @KimKellyMD) for co-hosting and moderating - excellent job.

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @AlikaMD @DrMakokis @DrMichaelG1 @DrNoelGrisdale Thanks @AB_MD_WarRoom for the opportunity and to my fellow candidates for the conversation. #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @DrMichaelG1 @DrMakokis @AlikaMD @DrNoelGrisdale @emmadeady Love taking trips to the mountains, find it peaceful and relaxing. #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @DrMichaelG1 @DrMakokis @AlikaMD @DrNoelGrisdale @DaveChappelle @pat_health I bring experience in advocacy for physicians, patients and the system including as ACFP President, the perspective of an educator in family medicine and recognition of diversity both as a person of color and the leadership experiences of my physician wife #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @AlikaMD @DrMakokis @DrNoelGrisdale @DrMichaelG1 3. If we don't advocate for improved equity at a societal level, we can't achieve the level of change we are hoping to see. /end #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @AlikaMD @DrMakokis @DrNoelGrisdale @DrMichaelG1 2. When we look at definitions of health, such as that of the World Health Organization, there is a recognition of health as physical. mental and societal well-being. What happens to patients in society impacts their overall health and well-being. #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @AlikaMD @DrMakokis @DrNoelGrisdale @DrMichaelG1 4. Once we can have open dialogue and recognition, we can then implement the steps needed to change. I want to believe those of us practicing in health care are intrinsically benevolent. The system can change, we just need to enable it. /end #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @AlikaMD @DrMakokis @DrNoelGrisdale @DrMichaelG1 3. Whether the examples represent racism or cultural stereotyping or sexism and gender based discrimination, there needs to be an open conversation on what is happening in the system as it currently stands. #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @AlikaMD @DrMakokis @DrNoelGrisdale @DrMichaelG1 Redoing - forgot the hashtag. Sign should read 'donate here, lost money on a pipeline wager' #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @DrMakokis @DrMichaelG1 @DrNoelGrisdale @AlikaMD 3. Private enterprise needs to be subject to rules and regulations that enable access to information only if there is demonstrable need to access. /end #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @DrMakokis @DrMichaelG1 @DrNoelGrisdale @AlikaMD 2. Researchers submit comprehensive ethics reviews to be able to use patient data to improve evidence and health outcomes. Private enterprise can't just have unrestricted access to data. #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@DrNoelGrisdale @AB_MD_WarRoom @AlikaMD @DrMichaelG1 @DrMakokis Valid point Noel. I think of populations such as children and some of the things we treat in them - infections, asthma, conditions such as ADHD which can drastically impact life trajectory - cost should not be a barrier to treatment. #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @AlikaMD @DrMichaelG1 @DrMakokis @DrNoelGrisdale 3. From a health care standpoint, we need to build on collaboration between different health care groups - less silos and more focus on how to work together and improve the system in which we all exist. /end #MDprez

[Vishal Bhella @VBhellaMD]

@AB_MD_WarRoom @AlikaMD @DrMichaelG1 @DrMakokis @DrNoelGrisdale 2. Societally, we need to look at how to enable all groups, particularly those that are under-represented in high profile domains (incl. medicine) to achieve success - requires a process of enabling and supporting equity that needs to start in early childhood. #MDprez