Dr. Peter Newbery - A Leading Pioneer of Rural Medicine
Abstract
Dr. Peter James Newbery’s enthusiasm to serve is evident in his achievements. He began as a social worker, and after obtaining his Masters and Doctorate of Divinity degrees from the Vancouver School of Theology, became a Minister in the United Church of Canada in 1966. In 1976, he graduated from McMaster University in Medicine, and completed a fellowship in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). In 1978, he began his practice as a family physician in Hazelton, British Columbia.
In 1987, Dr. Newbery became the United Church Health Services director. He served the church continuously asides from 3 years when he was appointed Postgraduate Programs Director for U.B.C.’s Department of Family Practice in 2001. As the United Church Health Services director for over 20 years, he served as the administrator for medical, nursing, and other support services for the 6 hospitals and 8 medical clinics operated by the United Church of Canada, which include hospitals in Hazelton, Bella Coola and Bella Bella.
For over two decades, Dr. Newbery has been involved in the training of health care personnel for rural communities, provincially and nationally. He was a founding member of an international group of rural physicians developing training in rural family medicine worldwide. The group’s recommendations for rural training have helped form the guidelines of Canadian and international medical schools alike. Under Dr. Newbery’s leadership, this group created a support system for practicing rural physicians and for training new rural doctors. Dr. Newbery also helped support many physicians return to practice after time away from medicine.
As U.B.C’s Postgraduate Programs Director of Family Practice from 2001 to 2005, Dr. Newbery focused on meeting the medical needs of communities from the inner city to the remote communities of the Coast and the North. He also developed an enhanced rural skills residency program, as the RIII Enhanced Skills Program Director, with residency training in Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia, Elder Care, Palliative Care, Inner City Medicine, Mental Health, Aboriginal health, Research, Medical Education, Women’s Health, advanced Obstetrics and International Health. He also played a significant role in developing the Northern Medical Program at UNBC and the first Family Practice Residency Program in Aboriginal Health. He continues to be a Clinical Professor of Medicine at UBC, teaching medical students and family physicians alike.
Dr. Newbery remains active in the CFPC and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC). He served on the board of the BC College of Family Physicians from 1988 to 1993, and was elected as the BC President in 1992. From 1995 to 2001, he was part of the executive of the CFPC, and served as the national president in 1999 and 2000. He is also the chair of the research and education foundation of the CFPC. Dr. Newbery has been a member of numerous provincial and national rural health task forces, including the Northwest Health Services Review, the Federal Minister of Health’s Advisory Council on Rural Health, and the Northern health task force, from which came the provincial locum service and Healthmatch BC. He recently helped author a book on the history of the United Church Health Services in Canada. He has given presentations on medical ethics, rural recruitment, multiculturalism, medicine and ministry and continues to preach frequently in churches throughout Canada. He has also spoken at numerous national and international conferences about rural medicine and life-long learning for family practice physicians.
Dr. Newbery’s work and passion for rural medicine has taken him to many remote places in British Columbia. His private and commercial pilot’s license has proven useful as he has flown over 1200 hours, often flying newly recruited medical personnel to rural hospitals.
Dr. Newbery has received numerous honours and awards including honorary member of the CPSBC (1997), the U.B.C. Faculty of Medicine Golden Jubilee Medal (2000), the Vancouver School of Theology Doctor of Divinity (2001), membership in the Order of Canada (2003), the Golden Jubilee Medal presented by Queen Elizabeth II (2003), membership in the Order of British Columbia (2004), and the BCMA Cam Coady Medal of Excellence (2008).
Dr. Newbery’s career is about service to others, and he exemplifies integrity, compassion and leadership. He is active in many facets of medicine from rural practice, administration, rural recruitment, and teaching, to leadership in the UBC Department of Family Practice and in the CFPC. His passion and work in rural health has inspired health care workers in BC, and across Canada, and brought increased notoriety and status to rural medicine.
Dr. Newbery emphasizes that his accomplishments would not be possible without his colleagues and the love and support of his family. Dr. Newbery is married to Lynn, a retired teacher and administrator, formerly the Vice Principal of Hazelton High School. Together, they have two children, Sarah Lynn, a physician in Ontario, and Mark, a teacher in Hazelton, and 4 grandchildren.
