BCCFP Welcomes New Indigenous Physician Lead and Committee

Cultural safety in health care isn't optional, it's essential. BCCFP's Indigenous Health Committee leads our commitment to advancing culturally safe care and demonstrating anti-racist approaches to address health equity across British Columbia.

Introducing Our New Indigenous Physician Lead: Dr. Willow Thickson

Tansi/boozhoo/weykt, nih-siyihkâson waspiskaw kihiyew niya oci. My name is Willow Thickson and I am the new Indigenous Physician lead for the BCCFP. My family is Cree, Dene, and Metis from treaty 6, 8 and the red river. I am now working, and living in the unceded, ancestral and traditional territories of the Secwepemc peoples raising my children in their community and immersed in their language and culture.

I am passionate about Indigenous health, rural health, and environmental health. Our health as Indigenous peoples is directly linked to kikâwīnaw askiy (Mother Earth) and as such I will be building on the incredible work that has already happened and advising on areas where the strategic initiatives of the BC College of Family Physicians can advance reconciliation through the lens of our interconnectedness as Indigenous people.

Our Indigenous Health Committee Members

Dr. Tom Curry

Dr. Curry practices family medicine and addiction medicine in North Vancouver as a member of the Six Nations of the Grand River. He provides low-barrier virtual opioid agonist therapy with unwavering focus on equitable access for Indigenous and underserved communities. Dr. Curry integrates Indigenous knowledge and community-driven approaches into comprehensive care.

Dr. Brendan Groat

Dr. Groat serves rural communities in Nelson, practicing across clinic, emergency, hospital, and outreach settings. This Métis physician completed his Rural & Remote, Northern & Indigenous Health Family Medicine Residency in La Ronge after previous practice in Northern Saskatchewan and inner-city Saskatoon. His specialized training encompasses addiction medicine and mental health for marginalized populations.

Dr. Kim Grieve

Dr Grieve brings nearly three decades of Indigenous health expertise. After receiving the 1991 J.A. Hildes Award for Excellence of Care in Indigenous Communities, she provided solo physician services to remote northern Manitoba First Nations communities. For 27 years, she delivered comprehensive family medicine in Salmon Arm while serving as UBC clinical faculty. Dr. Grieve chairs Facility Engagement at Shuswap Lake General Hospital and leads the FEMS Cultural Safety and Humility Project, recently receiving a BCCFP Cultural Safety and Humility Grant.

Dr. Nathalia Hawrys

Dr. Hawrys is a Family Medicine Resident at UBC and graduate student at the University of Victoria in Public Health and Social Policy. This Latina immigrant brings specialized perspective on equity and social accountability, with expertise in maternity and perinatal care, addictions, and Indigenous and immigrant health. She holds International Board Certification as a Lactation Consultant and studies cultural safety integration in medical education through Indigenous methodologies.

Dr. Preveena Dharmaraj

Dr. Dharmaraj practices family medicine in Vancouver with expertise spanning maternity care, general family medicine, Indigenous health, and urgent care. A Queen's University graduate who completed residency in the St. Paul's Family Medicine program, she advocates passionately for racialized populations in women's health and obstetrics while championing longitudinal care's positive impact.

Dr. James (Dan) Cutfeet

Dr. Cutfeet is a Cree family physician from Kitchenumaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation who completed his Family Medicine Residency through UBC's Aboriginal Residency Program. Since 2012, he’s led comprehensive family medical care in rural and remote BC communities, with expertise in emergency medicine and geriatric care. Dr. Cutfeet is dedicated to improving health outcomes for First Nations communities and mentors the next generation of healthcare professionals, working to bridge healthcare access gaps and ensure quality care for Indigenous peoples across the province.

Our Commitment in Action

This committee leads BCCFP's commitment to culturally safe health care and anti-racist approaches that address health equity. We embed cultural safety throughout our organization while strengthening partnerships that advance meaningful change.

Together, we advance reconciliation through culturally safe family medicine that serves every community across British Columbia.