As Abbotsford continues to expand, the strategic partnership between the Abbotsford Division of Family Practice and the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation (FVHCF) has been a key part of building a responsive local health-care dynamic.
While distinct in their operations, the two organizations share a mission centered on community health and wellness. The Division focuses on recruiting and supporting the primary care providers, while FVHCF raises funds to improve health-care delivery at hospitals, facilities and programs run by Fraser Health.
“We’re raising funds for equipment, but we need staff to run that equipment. The Division and the foundation work in partnership to support the community because our population is growing immensely. And when we work together, we can have greater impact,” said Liz Harris, executive director of FVHCF.
On May 9, FVHCF and the Abbotsford Division are jointly hosting Walk for Cardiac Health, a public health event aimed at raising funds for cardiac programs and equipment at local hospitals.
Open to the public, Walk for Cardiac Health will be held at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, and features prize draws and giveaways, fun events for all ages, and the chance to connect with members of the community.
“Whenever there is an opportunity to connect our health-care providers directly with the patient community, it strengthens the entire system. At the Division, we are deeply committed to building the strategic partnerships necessary to foster a healthier Abbotsford and a thriving primary care community,” said Sheri Josephson, executive director at Abbotsford Division.
Collaborating with the Foundation allows the Division to support public health in meaningful ways and, more importantly, create a unified network where both patients and providers have the resources they need to thrive, she added.
Through fundraising and partnerships, the Foundation helps deliver care to Abbotsford residents “closer to home,” according to Harris. And as the population grows, so do the need for expanding health services and equipment within the city.
“The more that we can work together with the Division and other organizations, and advocate to have resources here within the community, it cuts down on drive times, and it makes patient care easier,” Harris said.
“It ensures that people are going to their appointments because if you live in Abbotsford, it’s easier to get to the hospital in Abbotsford than trying to arrange an appointment to go to Surrey, for example.”
Current projections indicate Abbotsford population will reach 200,000 by 2035. By 2050, it is estimated to grow to 250,000 residents.
Registration for Walk for Cardiac Health is $10. The event aims to raise $10,000 toward the purchase of a True Apex Recumbent bike to help patients undergoing cardiac rehab exercise safely, build strength and improve their overall health.
“I encourage our Division members to join us at Mill Lake on May 9. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to step out of the clinic, lead by example, and show our patients that we are walking right alongside them toward a healthier future,” Josephson said.
To attend the event, register here.
The partnership continues June 4 with an educational event designed for seniors and senior care providers. “Health Talks: Demystifying Health Care for Seniors,” hosted at Garden Park Tower, will feature a series of expert talks on helping people navigate long-term care transitions, local health-care services, and medication management.
The long-standing partnership with the FVHCF is one of many ways the Division is building relationships to support its vision of equitable, team-based care with a dedicated and thriving provider community.