Whitehorse General Hospital has been recognized for its exceptional commitment to undergraduate and resident education in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology (OBGYN).

Awarded annually, the University of British Columbia (UBC) D.A. Boyes Community Teaching Award is bestowed on a B.C. or Yukon community for its commitment and leadership in educating the next generation of OBGYN practitioners.

Dr. Sarah Saunders accepted the award on behalf of the hospital at a ceremony held Oct. 20 at the D.A. Boyes Society Meeting in downtown Vancouver.

“This award is a testament to the hard work and commitment to excellence each and every team member of WGH shows when it comes to teaching and helping advance the careers of the next generation of doctors,” said Saunders, an OBGYN physician who has been practising medicine at Whitehorse General for five years.

“Our team may be small, but all of us go to work every day with a goal of providing the best possible care and opportunity to the residents of the Yukon and the students we are fortunate to work with.

“In my opinion, if you foster an environment where education thrives, patient care will thrive as well. I want to recognize and thank all of our hospital teams and partners who help to foster this positive environment,” said Saunders.

Over the last several years, the OBGYN service at Whitehorse General has had learners join from UBC, the University of Calgary, Dalhousie University, and Australia, and is active in medical student lectures and formal teaching activities for UBC residents.

Their teaching also supports local colleagues at Whitehorse General, such as by participating in the “moreOB” program, a patient safety improvement program for maternity care, and by delivering Continuing Medical Education.

“I want to congratulate Dr. Saunders, Dr. Emma Sumner, and their incredible team members on receiving this award,” said Jason Bilsky, the CEO of Yukon Hospitals.

“Our entire organization is committed to creating the best possible environment for patients, staff, and even students to thrive, and I am very pleased to see members of our medical teams recognized for their diligent work,” Bilsky added.