Distinguished Community Paediatrician Award

Current recipient(s): Dr. Eiko Waida

Dr. Eiko Waida received her medical degree from the University of Alberta, then completed a rotating internship at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, B.C.  Initially she “trained her eyes” on a career in internal medicine but found herself so delighted by encounters with paediatric patients at St. Paul’s, a downtown hospital, that she changed course. Dr. Waida completed her paediatric residency training at BC’s Children’s Hospital where, during her fourth year as chief resident, she received monthly tutelage from the chief of paediatrics on the importance of advocacy. Dr. Waida then moved to Vernon to join two paediatricians who had specialized in internal medicine.  Their combined emphasis on camaraderie, patient-centered care and advocacy attracted other like-minded colleagues, and the paediatric group is now seven strong with their own department. Dr. Waida enjoys providing consulting paediatric care for patients in Vernon along with children and youth living in a remote rural community during her outreach clinics.

Dr. Waida is also a clinical assistant professor in paediatrics. As an Improvement Advisor (Institute for Healthcare Improvement), she is able to engage in her own paediatric QI projects (e.g., Joy in Work, Type 1 Diabetes).She provides both meso- and macro-level leadership in her roles as co-chair of the Interior Health QI steering committee and the QI Working Group for the Doctors of BC (where she offers strategic direction for the provincial QI program). Dr. Waida is the Medical Director of Quality for the Interior Health Authority and a recipient of the American Academy of Pediatric’s Special Achievement Award. 

It takes a village to raise a child, and Dr. Waida acknowledges that her work has only been possible thanks to tremendous support from family and colleagues. Her colleagues believe that valuing—and practicing—robust upstream care for patients and families can improve society and revitalize communities.