Thanks to local media for picking up on this watershed moment for BC health care physician leadership here in British Columbia. This is shaping up to be a significant event for the province’s physicians and the association by whom we are represented – the Doctors of BC (formerly the BC Medical Association).
For those of you not following the events in the last week, this developing story has received extensive coverage on CBC Radio1, CBC West, Global BC, CKNW AM980, and in the Vancouver Sun, Georgia Strait, Castanet, The Medical Post and the Canadian Association Medical Journal. Browse these resources for more news material.
This election for president-elect of Doctors of BC was about choosing a physician leader for the association who has shown that they can produce results on behalf of all physicians here in British Columbia. It was not about the rather narrow focus and interest that Dr. Day is currently promoting. My campaign materials can be found on my website open to the public at dralanruddiman dott ca
In an election that yielded a one-vote margin of victory or put another way, a margin of only 0.045% (1 vote out of 2217 making the difference here), I was encouraged by my provincial colleagues, the supporters of my candidacy, and by many supporters of the 2nd place runner-up to seek a formal recount.
The CEO of Doctors of BC received my official registration document seeking a recount on Wednesday May 27th. The association is now doing its due diligence to ensure that the election ballots were handled and administered in a manner that did not introduce any bias greater than the current 0.045% margin of victory.
It is not in my nature to back down on matters of principle, equity or professionalism. The physicians of BC deserve this, the residents of our province are watching this closely, and the relationship between the Doctors of BC and the BC government may be well-served by this. Stay tuned – recount results expected early in the new week.
Dr. Alan Ruddiman
General Practitioner – Oliver
Doctors of BC President-Elect Candidate (2015-2016)