Coastal
Site Information
Number of Residents: 5 CMG, 4 IMG
Location: North Shore, Vancouver, various Coastal Communities
Community: 250,000
Hospitals: Lion’s Gate Hospital, Pemberton Health Centre, Squamish General Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, Powell River General Hospital
Curriculum Type: Partially Integrated
Elective Time: 10 weeks with 2 weeks of electives (Cardiology/Infectious Diseases/Gastroenterology) in R2, 2 weeks in R1
Site Director Message
The Coastal Family Practice Residency site evolved in a unique manner. Family physicians from the North Shore, Pemberton, Whistler, Squamish, Sunshine Coast, Powell River, Bella Bella, and Bella Coola planned our site, to develop exceptional clinical skills – for rural, remote and urban environments.
We see our residents as an important part of our health communities, and key members of the team.
We also want our residents to see the ‘big picture’ issues: an awareness of Social Determinants of Health, through the diversity of our participating communities, and through opportunities in public health, First Nations, electives, high needs populations, and more.
First year, on the North Shore, includes urban Family Practice, along with acute care experience at Lions Gate Hospital. The HOpe Center, beside LGH, provides teaching rooms, library, call rooms, a simulation center, and more, to support resident learning.
During second year, Residents spend four months in a rural community – an excellent opportunity to work, learn and live in a rural environment. Each community offers a unique range of clinical experience with committed practitioners – some of the best primary care learning you’ll ever find.
The Coastal Site offers something for everyone. Vancouver is a multicultural city with a vast range of recreational opportunities – sailing, kayaking, golf, cycling, and lovely green spaces including the renowned Stanley Park. Our Coastal Communities offer a variety of outstanding clinical and recreational opportunities. The communities range from a 45 minute to 2.5 hours’ drive from Vancouver, while some are a short ferry or flight away.
The North Shore has rental accommodation: apartments, houses, suites in houses, etc. During the second year, 4-month rural rotation, funding support is provided for accommodation.
We’re confident that our wide range of clinical and academic environments, and exciting lifestyle opportunities, will attract strong Residents – committed to working hard, while enjoying the recreational and cultural activities in our communities, and gain skill and insight in all aspects of Family Practice and health care.
Dr. Dean Brown
About
Contact: dvbrown@shaw.ca
Click here to view the site presentation.
Learn more about the City of North Vancouver here. Further details on recreation activities are here.
Lead Resident Message
Welcome to Coastal! Located in picturesque North Vancouver, our rurally-enhanced site is dedicated to training full-service Family Physicians ready to excel in any setting. Our primary base is Lions Gate Hospital, complemented by outpatient clinics across the North Shore, including North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Deep Cove, and Horseshoe Bay.
Lions Gate Hospital is known for its collegial atmosphere among physicians, fostering a collaborative environment across departments like hospitalist, obstetrics, emergency, and surgery. Being the only core group of residents at Lions Gate allows us to engage closely with staff from various disciplines, gaining hands-on experience and specialized knowledge from a Family Medicine perspective.
In the first year, residents work with a primary Family Medicine preceptor aligned with their interests and complete core rotations at Lions Gate. The second year includes core rotations, self-arranged electives, and a distinctive 4-month rural rotation covering areas from the Sea-to-Sky Corridor to Bella Bella.
Our Coastal cohort consists of 9 residents annually, split between CMG and IMG residents. We are a tight-knit group, supporting each other throughout residency and beyond. We organize additional educational sessions, such as monthly Internal Medicine rounds, a comprehensive POCUS (Point of Care Ultrasound) course, and regular simulation days in our advanced SIM center. Our dedicated Site Director, Dr. Dean Brown, and enthusiastic faculty, along with our supportive administrative team, Tamar and Zoe, ensure a well-rounded and enriching residency experience.
We eagerly anticipate welcoming the next cohort to the Coastal family. Good luck with CaRMS, and we look forward to meeting you!
Dr. Christopher Lanz and Dr. Sarah Yassami
Coastal Site Lead Residents
