Providing quality primary care in rural Canada takes more than just a physician. At Pender Harbour Health Centre on the Sunshine Coast, a collaborative care model allows doctors to focus on what they do best while relying on a highly skilled, interdisciplinary team for comprehensive support. The result is a clinical environment where both patients and providers thrive.

For physicians seeking meaningful work in a community-centred setting, this approach creates a unique opportunity to practise medicine without the usual administrative burden or professional isolation often associated with rural practice.

A Fully Integrated Team Working Together

At Pender Harbour Health Centre, care is never a solo effort. Physicians work hand in hand with a wide-ranging team that includes nurses, a dietitian, mental health counsellors, PCN pharmacists, a local community pharmacist, and administrative staff.

This integration is intentional and essential. When a patient presents with a complex concern, the physician does not have to manage every piece alone. Nurses may triage the patient, handle procedures, or prep for follow-ups. Pharmacists provide medication reviews and consultation summaries. Dietitians offer targeted lifestyle guidance.

This kind of coordinated care streamlines the physician’s workload, improves the patient experience, and ensures that every part of the care plan is informed and supported.

One example shared during an interview with Dr. Catherine Bazilli highlights this model in action. A patient came in with an infected wound. A nurse assessed and dressed the wound, consulted briefly with the physician, and the patient left with the care they needed in minutes. Another patient with high blood pressure and kidney issues had their condition improve significantly after coordinated visits with the pharmacist, nurse, and dietitian. These touchpoints happen daily, often with minimal physician involvement beyond a brief check-in or prescription.

Onsite and Offsite Support that Makes a Difference

The support does not stop at the clinic walls. Through the Sunshine Coast Primary Care Network, physicians at Pender Harbour Health Centre are connected to an extended circle of colleagues, specialists, and services.

A daily WhatsApp group connects physicians across the region to share questions, case feedback, and clinical tips. There is no need to wait for a formal meeting or scheduled call. Advice is often immediate and personalized.

The Sechelt Hospital, less than an hour away, provides visiting specialists in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, radiology, and more. Physicians can refer patients and receive timely updates. Onsite lab draws in Pender Harbour ensure that most test results come back the same day, allowing decisions to be made quickly and confidently.

This kind of access makes rural practice less isolating and far more sustainable, especially for early-career doctors or those looking for a balanced, long-term placement.

Strong Administrative and Operational Support

Nick Gaskin, Executive Director of Pender Harbour and District Health Centre, oversees the day-to-day administration and operations that keep the clinic running smoothly, supporting staff, managing logistics, and ensuring patients receive coordinated care.

In many clinics across Canada, physicians carry the weight of administration alongside clinical care. Managing staffing, supplies, schedules, patient complaints, and funding logistics can leave little room for the practice of medicine.

That is not the case at Pender Harbour Health Centre. As a Community Health Centre, the clinic is governed by a strong administrative team. Physicians can turn their full attention to patients, knowing that the day-to-day logistics are being handled by professionals who understand the needs of a busy practice.

To further enhance the clinical environment, PHHC is investing in a major renovation of its Primary Care Wing. The updates include new equipment, improved air conditioning, and refreshed, accessible clinical spaces designed to promote comfort, efficiency, and long-term satisfaction in practice. These upgrades are a key part of the Health Centre’s commitment to supporting both providers and patients with modern, well-equipped facilities.

Dr. Bazilli put it simply: “I just come in and do my work. I am not worrying about the phones, the printer, or ordering supplies. That is all handled.”

From technical issues to staffing concerns, there is always someone available to resolve them. This behind-the-scenes efficiency creates a stable foundation and removes the hidden stress that often leads to burnout.

A Culture of Collaboration and Respect

What sets Pender Harbour Health Centre apart is not only the model itself, but the culture that supports it. There is a sense of mutual trust, open communication, and shared purpose among staff and providers.

Team members do not just interact during scheduled meetings. They pop into each other’s offices, follow up after appointments, and offer help without hesitation. Whether it is a spontaneous hallway conversation or a quiet collaboration on a care plan, the atmosphere is one of easy, informal support.

Staff celebrations, surprise birthdays, and all-team dinners are part of what makes the clinic feel like a true community. “Every single staff member came to our Christmas dinner. That says a lot about the workplace culture,” Dr. Bazilli shared.

For physicians who have experienced more rigid, hierarchical settings, this environment can be a welcome change. Decisions are made together. Everyone’s voice matters. And patients benefit from the strength of the team behind them.

Designed for Sustainability

The collaborative care model at Pender Harbour Health Centre is not just designed to support patients. It is designed to protect the well-being of the physicians and staff who serve them.

This model ensures that no one person is responsible for everything. Instead, care is distributed, supported, and shared. For physicians, this means less burnout, fewer after-hours responsibilities, and more time to engage meaningfully with patients.

Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced doctor looking for a change, the clinic offers a structure that allows you to succeed in practice while maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Discover What Collaborative Care Can Look Like

At Pender Harbour Health Centre, collaboration is more than a buzzword. It is a daily reality that helps physicians deliver excellent care while feeling connected and supported in their work.

If you are a physician considering a rural opportunity in Canada, and you want to be part of a practice that values teamwork, shared knowledge, and community connection, the Sunshine Coast may be the perfect fit.

Explore current physician opportunities at Pender Harbour Health Centre today.