Friday, May 29
Friday is dedicated to practical, hands-on skill development, with immersive workshops focused on procedural skills, ultrasound, dermatology, and emergency care. These half-day sessions allow participants to choose one workshop in the morning and another in the afternoon, maximizing learning opportunities and skill-building.
For those looking to unwind, a variety of social activities are available, offering opportunities to connect and explore Prince George. Learn more about social events here.
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM Morning Workshops
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📅 Date: Friday, May 29
⏰ Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Coast Prince George HotelBreakfast is included for workshop participants.
💰 Registration Fees
MD / NP: $200
Nurse / Resident: $75
🩺 Workshop Overview
Master the fundamentals of dermoscopy in this interactive workshop covering core principles to help identify key features of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Through small-group, hands-on practice with live models, participants will build confidence in using dermoscopy to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions and enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Instructors: Dr. Alex Farrugia, Dr. Shane Barclay and Mary MacClelland, NP
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📅 Date: Friday, May 29
⏰ Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Prince George Conference CentreBreakfast is included for workshop participants.
💰 Registration Fees
MD / NP: $200
Nurse / Resident: $75
🩺 Workshop Overview:
Designed for rural emergency clinicians seeking practical options for pain management using small-volume peripheral nerve blocks. Participants will review key indications and contraindications, then practice landmark-based and ultrasound-guided techniques in small-group skill stations. The focus is on safe, efficient blocks that are well suited to the realities of rural emergency care.Instructors: Dr. Ezekial Steve and Dr. Jel Coward
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📅 Date: Friday, May 29
⏰ Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Prince George Conference CentreBreakfast is included for workshop participants.
💰 Registration Fees
Resident: $75
Medical student: $25
🩺 Workshop Overview
This morning workshop is designed for residents & medical students looking to improve their understanding of airway management. The workshop begins with a standard, low-risk airway scenario to establish a shared, structured approach. Participants then progress through increasingly complex cases involving difficult physiology and/or anatomy. Small-group, case-based stations focus on airway planning, optimization, and ventilation strategies for critically ill patients, emphasizing consistent frameworks as risk and complexity escalate.
Instructors: Dr. Kirk McCarroll, Dr. Sean Ebert, Dr. John Soles and Dr. Floyd Besserer
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📅 Date: Friday, May 29
⏰ Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Prince George Conference CentreBreakfast is included for workshop participants.
💰 Registration Fees
MD / NP: $200
Nurse / Resident: $75
🩺 Workshop Overview
An introduction to fundamental suturing techniques focused on building core procedural skills. Participants will practice punch biopsies and elliptical excisions, simple and corner laceration repairs, and V-Y advancement flaps. This workshop is ideal for clinicians looking to build confidence and competence in common office and emergency procedures.
Instructors: Dr. Stuart Johnson, Dr. Bret Batchelor and Dr. Jun Lee
12:30 PM - 3:00 PM Afternoon Workshops
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📅 Date: Friday, May 29
⏰ Time: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Coast Prince George HotelLunch is included for workshop participants.
💰 Registration Fees
MD / NP: $200
Nurse / Resident: $75
🩺 Workshop Overview
Master the fundamentals of dermoscopy in this interactive workshop covering core principles to help identify key features of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Through small-group, hands-on practice with live models, participants will build confidence in using dermoscopy to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions and enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Instructors: Dr. Alex Farrugia, Dr. Shane Barclay and Mary MacClelland, NP
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📅 Date: Friday, May 29
⏰ Time: 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Prince George Conference CentreLunch is included for workshop participants.
💰 Registration Fees
MD / NP: $200
Nurse / Resident: $75
🩺 Workshop Overview:
Designed for rural emergency clinicians seeking practical options for pain management using small-volume peripheral nerve blocks. Participants will review key indications and contraindications, then practice landmark-based and ultrasound-guided techniques in small-group skill stations. The focus is on safe, efficient blocks that are well suited to the realities of rural emergency care.Instructors: Dr. Ezekial Steve and Dr. Jel Coward
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📅 Date: Friday, May 29
⏰ Time: 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Prince George Conference CentreLunch is included for workshop participants.
💰 Registration Fees
MD / NP: $200
Nurse / Resident: $75
🩺 Workshop Overview
Designed for rural clinicians managing airways with limited backup, this workshop begins with a standard, low-risk airway scenario to establish a shared, structured approach. Participants then progress through increasingly complex cases involving difficult physiology and/or anatomy. Small-group, case-based stations focus on airway planning, optimization, and ventilation strategies for critically ill patients, emphasizing consistent frameworks as risk and complexity escalate.
Instructors: Dr. Kirk McCarroll, Dr. Sean Ebert, Dr. John Soles and Dr. Floyd Besserer
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📅 Date: Friday, May 29
⏰ Time: 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Prince George Conference CentreLunch is included for workshop participants.
💰 Registration Fees
MD / NP: $200
Nurse / Resident: $75
🩺 Workshop Overview
Level-up your wound-closure capabilities! Explore when and how to use different sutures, optimize punch biopsies, and identify strategies for managing larger or more complex lacerations. Participants will also work through step-by-step approaches to wide excisions and flap repairs, including rhomboid and advancement flaps. Best suited for clinicians who already have foundational suturing skills and want to refine and expand their technique.
Instructors: Dr. Stuart Johnson, Dr. Bret Batchelor and Dr. Jun Lee
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📅 Date: Friday, May 29
⏰ Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Coast Prince George HotelLunch is included for workshop participants.
💰 Registration Fees
MD / NP: $200
Nurse / Midwife / Resident: $75
🩺 Workshop Overview
Designed for clinicians using point-of-care ultrasound in obstetric settings, this workshop emphasizes a focused, systematic scanning approach. Participants will practice identifying fetal position, assessing amniotic fluid volume, and measuring fetal heart rate using basic knobology and M-mode. Small-group scanning stations reinforce practical skills that can be applied confidently in real-time clinical care.
Instructors: Dr. Virginia Robinson, Dr. Irina Sainchuk, Dr. Breanne Abbott, Dr. Sheila Smith, Dr. Sara Sandwith and Kesley Skulnec
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Keynote Speaker
The Knowledge Crisis! How Did We Get Here and What Can Physicians Do?
Prof. Timothy Caulfield
CM, LLM, FRSC, FCAHS, FRCPSC (Hon)
Professor, Faculty of Law and School of Public Health
Research Director, Health Law Institute, University of Alberta
Prof. Timothy Caulfield is one of Canada’s most compelling and thought-provoking speakers, known for blending sharp insight, evidence and humour to tackle the big issues facing health care today.
In his opening keynote address, The Knowledge Crisis! How Did We Get Here and What Can Physicians Do?, Prof. Caulfield will explore how misinformation, distrust and information overload are shaping clinical practice — and what physicians can realistically do about it.
The Knowledge Crisis: How Did We Get Here, and What Can Physicians Do?
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Describe the evolution, scope, and nature of health misinformation, including the marketing of unproven therapies.
Identify major sources, drivers, and harms of health misinformation, including examples relevant to rural health care.
Summarize emerging evidence on why people believe and share health misinformation.
Apply science-informed strategies to respond to health misinformation at both the individual and organizational level.
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⏰ Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
📍 Location: 'Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park
💰 Fee: $55🤝 Activity Overview:
Reconnect with nature on a guided excursion to The Ancient Forest (Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park). Enjoy a relaxed shuttle ride to this breathtaking inland temperate rainforest, located on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh and home to some of the oldest trees in the world. Wander through thousand-year-old western red cedars, lush mosses, lichens, fungi, and rich biodiversity along an accessible boardwalk designed for all abilities, with options to explore further to iconic sites like Big Tree, Tree Beard, and a cascading waterfall. A boxed lunch is included before returning to the Conference Centre by 3:30pm. This will be a perfect way to connect, recharge, and start the conference grounded and inspired. -
⏰ Time: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Prince George Conference Centre
💰 Fee: Included with Conference registration🤝 Overview:
An open social event for those interested in RCCbc’s Real-Time Virtual Support pathways. Join us for an engaging mix of curiosity, conversation, and community. Whether you have questions, want to hear more about the work, or just enjoy connecting with like-minded folks passionate about supporting rural, remote and First Nations communities, please drop by.
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⏰ Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Conference Centre
💰 Fee: Included in conference registration🤝 Overview:
Join us on Friday night for an easygoing evening of live music, connection, and a little rural conference magic!Friday Night Live! will feature the East Van Opry Road Show, a roots music collective led by Jack Garton and Kathleen Nisbet. Expect foot-stomping classics, harmony singing, and a barn-burning mix of originals and favourites.
When the performance wraps, the night keeps going with the first sanctioned jam at BC Rural Health Conference. Conference attendees are invited to bring an instrument, plug in, and play. A full backline will be available.
Enjoy nibbles and drinks (cash bar) as you unwind. Whether you want to perform, sit in, sing along, or simply take it all in, this is a chance to connect in a different way!
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⏰ Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Prince George Conference Centre
💰 Fee: Free | Drop-in (Space limited)🍽️ Overview:
Connect with peers, build community, and enjoy a relaxed evening of food and conversation. This accredited event welcomes IMGs, and physicians new to practice in BC, and their families. Join us for opportunities to strengthen your professional network, explore practical insights for navigating practice in BC, and connect with helpful resource and service providers.Families welcome!