Grant Opens Doors—Literally—for Family Practice Team

It’s no small feat to maintain a family practice for over 20 years, but that’s exactly what the team at Kits Family Practice has done. Dr. Winnie Su, Dr. Jenny Liu, and Dr. Helen Chen acknowledge the challenges, but speak passionately about the rewards of providing comprehensive, longitudinal care to a wide spectrum of patients from all walks of life.

“We’re able to walk through life stages with them and their families.”

While some challenges are complex and systemic, others are surprisingly practical—like a clinic door that proved difficult for many patients to open.

A Doorway to Accessibility

“It was a heavy door, not automatic.”

Since moving into their current location in 2020, the team noticed that many patients—especially parents with strollers, individuals in wheelchairs, and elderly visitors—struggled to open the clinic’s front door.

“It made them feel like something was wrong with them when they couldn’t open it.”

They turned to the Vancouver Division of Family Practice and applied for funding through its Clinic Grants Program. The process was straightforward, and soon after, an automatic, visitor-friendly door was installed.

“Many of our patients have commented that they appreciate being able to access the office without having to ring the bell and wait for someone to open the door for them. If we can make our health visits easier to access, we’ll have a much happier patient population.”

The Weight of Running a Practice

Though a door may seem like a minor issue, it represents the many practical burdens that come with running a family practice. Even stocking supplies like light bulbs and toilet paper adds to the workload—deterring some from private practice altogether.

“It’s hard to attract students when they see the amount of work involved in running a small business compared to working in a hospital, where there’s no overhead. We need to really promote the benefits of family medicine: longitudinal care, getting to know our patients, flexibility, and owning our work.”

As the team looks toward the future, succession planning is top of mind.

“We can’t be here forever. You get to a point in your career where you start thinking about succession. Who will care for our patients when we’re no longer here?”

The Heart of the Work

What keeps them going is more than just commitment—it’s connection.

“It’s almost like a small community we’re responsible for. We are a lifeline to 5,000 people. It’s gratifying to make a difference in their lives. You just don’t get that in every area of medicine.”

That care is not only medical, but also deeply personal.

“It’s the challenge that makes the work so rewarding. You can truly change the trajectory of someone’s life.”

Staying Connected Through the Division

The physicians credit the Vancouver Division of Family Practice for supporting their work—whether through funding, committee involvement, or the Fast Facts newsletter.

“It helps us feel less siloed.”

Connecting with younger or prospective family doctors is another benefit.

“They probably have questions for people like us who’ve been in practice for so many years. We may have some pearls of wisdom to share.”

The Division is also described as open, responsive, and helpful.

“We take advantage of the funding opportunities the Division helps us access. At the end of the day, it makes it easier for us to take care of our patients.”

A Model for Community-Centred Care

Stories like this one don’t just benefit a single clinic—they ripple outward into the community.

“Ultimately, family practice is about relationships. I’ve built them over 20 years. I matter in their lives, they value my opinion, and I can make a difference.”

Could your clinic also benefit from the Physician Peer Engagement Program? Learn more!