Session Overview

In this Virtual PA Shadowing session, you’ll gain a meaningful and practical look into Physician Assistant practice in British Columbia—where the role is still emerging within the healthcare system. Canadian Certified PAs Lisa Stewart and Eric Demers share their experiences as early adopters and advocates, offering insights into navigating regulatory uncertainty, building interprofessional trust, and developing effective workflows in both urban and remote settings.

Through a case-based discussion in emergency medicine, you’ll explore real-world clinical decision-making and system navigation in a hospital with limited PA infrastructure. This session is especially relevant if you are practicing in a new or evolving PA role, working to define your scope, or looking to strengthen integration within your team. You’ll come away with a clearer understanding of how the PA role is advancing in BC and practical strategies you can apply in your own setting.

Resources Mentioned:

  • Describe the role and scope of practice of a Physician Assistant (PA) within the context of British Columbia’s healthcare system, including setting-specific roles and regulatory considerations.

    Compare PA-led clinical workflows in British Columbia to those in other provinces or specialties, considering regional differences in autonomy, physician supervision, and models of care delivery.

    Reflect on the unique challenges and opportunities facing PA practice in BC and identify strategies that could enhance care coordination, integration into health teams, and system navigation in their own clinical setting.

    Analyze a clinical case study presented by the BC-based PAs to identify key decision points, interprofessional collaboration, and patient-centered strategies used in that practice environment.

Earning CPD Credits

This live event has passed, and the Section 1 CPD credit window has now closed.

You may still watch the replay and log 1.5 hours under Section 2 CPD credits. Please note that no certificate will be issued for Section 2 credits.

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PAs in BC (audio only)
PARSEC Virtual PA Shadowing
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Featured Speakers

  • Lisa Stewart

    CCPA, MPAS

    OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE PA
    Comox Valley, BC

    Current Director of British Columbia, CAPA

    Lisa Stewart is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant with over a decade of clinical experience spanning plastic surgery, trauma, burn care, and critical care medicine. She currently provides occupational and emergency medical services at the Diavik Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories and is based in the Comox Valley, British Columbia.

    Lisa began her healthcare career as a Medical Technician Reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces, an experience that inspired her to pursue the PA profession. She earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Manitoba in 2012, following an earlier academic foundation in commerce and science. Her clinical work has included roles in Winnipeg and Calgary before returning to her home province of BC.

    Beyond her clinical practice, Lisa is a committed leader and advocate for the profession, currently serving as the British Columbia Director for the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA). Known for her adaptability and collaborative approach, Lisa continues to champion PA integration in BC’s evolving healthcare landscape, all while raising two young children and pursuing meaningful professional challenges

    Connect with Lisa:
    LinkedIn
    Instagram

  • Eric Demers

    CCPA, DMSc

    EMERGENCY MEDICINE PA
    Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Victoria BC

    Past President, CAPA
    Past Director, British Columbia, CAPA

    Eric Demers is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant with over 25 years of healthcare experience and a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree. He currently practices in the emergency department at Saanich Peninsula Hospital as one of the first PAs integrated into British Columbia’s public health system through a provincial pilot initiative.

    A graduate of the Canadian Armed Forces PA program, Eric served 24 years in the military in leadership roles across tactical medicine, international deployments, and submarine operations. He has since provided remote emergency care and occupational health services, including to isolated First Nations communities in Canada’s northern regions.

    Eric is also a nationally recognized leader in PA advocacy and professional development, having served as Past President and former BC Director on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA).

    He holds certifications in project management and business administration and remains committed to advancing the PA profession through clinical excellence, policy leadership, and mentorship.

    Connect with Eric:
    LinkedIn

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